Council cuts Potter Group recycling contract
In what Powys called a “robust tender process”, a new seven-year contract, starting on April 1, has been awarded to Bryson Recycling, to manage and operate the Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Lower Cwmtwrch Household Recycling Centres. Welshpool’s Household Recycling Centre will continue to be run by Potter Group.
With over 30 years of recycling service experience, Bryson Recycling is the largest social enterprise provider of waste management services in the UK. Already managing and operating Household Recycling Centres for Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council, Bryson Recycling have been operating in Wales since 2014.
All five of the county’s Household Recycling Centres, whether run by Bryson Recycling or Potter Group, will provide the same service. The opening days and hours, and types of materials accepted will remain the same.
Changes that will come into effect from April 1 are the introduction of a booking system for visits and charges for DIY and building waste, as agreed back in February 2024 as part of the council’s medium-term financial strategy 2024-2029.
Details of these changes have been available on the council’s website since last spring and more information will be made available shortly.
“We are excited to be working with such an experienced social enterprise recycler such as Bryson Recycling.” explains Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. “Together we are confident that we can continue to improve the recycling rate at the Household Recycling Centres, as well as boost reuse opportunities.
“We are also pleased to continue our relationship with Potter Group at the site in Welshpool and look forward to taking all five of the county’s Household Recycling Centres to the next level.”
Commenting on the recent contract award, Gareth Walsh, General Manager at Bryson Recycling, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in partnership with Powys County Council and are looking forward to introducing our social enterprise approach across all four sites with the aim of increasing recycling and reuse whilst providing an excellent service to local residents. We are also keen to look at innovative ways to engage and work with local communities.”
What’s to come, according to Powys County Council:
Booking system
From April 1, residents will be required to pre-book their visit online or by telephone. This has the effect of reducing non-legitimate use of the sites by commercial operators and users from outside of the county.
Pre-booking a timeslot for their visit provides an improved user experience for residents not having to queue to use these facilities, whilst also allowing centre staff more time to help residents who may need assistance and/or advice on how to recycle correctly.
Charges for DIY waste
DIY or building waste is not classed as household waste and there is no obligation on councils to accept it at HWRCs. Many other authorities have introduced charges for this material and seen significant savings for the authority, both through the income generated but also through reduced disposal costs, which will be redirected into delivering council services.
The introduction of a charge for disposal of this type of waste may be an inconvenience to some, but HWRCs were never intended for residents to dispose of significant quantities of waste from large DIY or building projects where a skip would be more appropriate. It will also ensure that traders do not try to circumvent their responsibilities by leaving their waste with householders once they have completed a job.
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