We've launched a consultation on 25-year Waste Strategy
Wednesday, 3 September 2025
We're inviting residents, businesses and community groups to have their say on a new Waste Strategy which will shape how waste and recycling is managed across the area for the next 25 years.
The draft Waste Strategy sets out a long-term vision for a cleaner, greener and more sustainable Central Bedfordshire, covering the period from 2026 to 2051.
The strategy affects every household in Central Bedfordshire. It provides information about:
- services that we must deliver and how we will do this
- kerbside collections; specifically glass, metal, plastic, paper and card, food and garden waste from all households*
- Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) services and ensuring that they are fit for the future
- being ready for national changes to waste legislation and regulation*
(* Objectives or measures driven by government policies and legislation. Local authorities only have a duty to collect garden waste if the household has requested the service and paid any related charges.)
Councillor Tracey Wye, our Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, said:
This strategy is a major step forward in how we manage waste and protect our environment. It’s about making smarter, more sustainable choices which benefit everyone, now and in the future. We’re asking residents to help shape a system which works for our communities, supports local initiatives, and delivers real environmental impact.
The strategy is built around 3 core objectives:
- to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste produced, collected and treated
- to maximise reuse, repurposing, recycling and composting
- to deliver effective, cost-efficient and compliant services that are robust, reliable and resilient to change
The consultation will run from 3 September to 14 October 2025 and is open to all residents, businesses, schools and community organisations in Central Bedfordshire.
Participants can:
- read the full strategy and background information online
- complete the online consultation to share their views on the proposals
- attend local drop-in events to speak with council officers and ask any questions
We're particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on the proposed changes, what support you need to reduce waste or recycle more and any local initiatives it could support or learn from. All feedback will be carefully reviewed and used to refine the final Waste Strategy.