Essex County Council (ECC) wanted to gain a clear, evidence-based profile of household waste streams across Essex. They partnered with Alfred H Knight (AHK) to conduct a residual waste composition analysis.

The results from this are helping the Essex Waste Partnership (EWP) to strategically improve waste handling, optimise services, and drive behaviour-change activities.

THE CHALLENGE

As the statutory Waste Disposal Authority (WDA) for Essex, ECC is responsible for managing the treatment and disposal of waste collected across 12 borough, city, and district councils.

The joint Waste Strategy for Essex set ambitious targets for material recovery. To support these goals, Essex County Council needed a clear understanding of the composition of residual waste from local households and recycling centres.

Reliable, detailed data were essential to identify waste-reduction and recycling opportunities and to support compliance with forthcoming legislative changes, including Simpler Recycling.

OUR APPROACH

Alfred H Knight conducted a six-week residual waste composition analysis throughout November and December 2024. We sampled residual waste from kerbside households and flats, as well as from 21 recycling centres in the area. Our methodology combined:

• Rigorous sampling and segregation to capture representative data across all 12 local authority areas
• Detailed material categorisation to break waste down into recyclable, potentially recyclable, and non-recyclable components
• Actionable insight generation to highlight missed recycling opportunities and areas for service improvement

BREAKDOWN OF POTENTIALLY RECYCLABLE MATERIALS UNDER SIMPLER RECYCLING – ESSEX AVERAGE

Our analysis highlighted several opportunities for the EWP to optimise recycling and waste strategies through Simpler Recycling legislation.

• Over half the materials found in Essex household residual bins could be diverted through existing services and improvements via the Simpler Recycling scheme.
• Plastic film accounted for 9% of the material found in the residual bin.
• Food waste is the biggest opportunity, comprising over 53% of potentially recyclable material, a major area for targeted interventions.

“AHK worked closely with ECC and the 12 local councils within the Essex Waste Partnership to design and deliver a study that met our key business objectives, all within our challenging timelines and requirements.”

Jason Searles, Head of Waste Strategy and Circular Economy, Essex County Council

THE IMPACT

The residual waste composition analysis provided the Essex Waste Partnership with a reliable evidence base to inform local waste reduction campaigns.

These insights allow the EWP to refine collection systems and reduce residual waste. This supports strategic planning ahead of Simpler Recycling regulations.

“This project has given ECC a clear understanding of where improvements can be made, enabling the EWP to focus efforts where we will have the greatest impact – in terms of reducing waste, increasing recycling and therefore minimising costs associated with waste disposal. The findings will help inform future service improvements and behaviour change interventions. Ultimately, it’s about giving decision-makers the insight they need to deliver better outcomes for residents.”

Darren Coss, Waste Optimisation Lead at Alfred H Knight

EXPERTISE IN RESIDUAL WASTE COMPOSITION ANALYSIS

Alfred H Knight has extensive experience supporting local authorities, waste partnerships, and Energy from Waste (EfW) operators with independent residual waste composition analysis.

Our rigorous methodology and actionable insights help clients reduce residual waste, improve recycling rates, and achieve regulatory and sustainability goals.

GET IN TOUCH

Alfred H Knight’s experienced team is always available to assist with waste composition or solid fuel analysis requirements. Contact our experts to see how we can support you.