This page provides details on the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) waste management strategy and design guide. Setting out the direction of how to deliver cost effective waste services for the benefit of local communities and clear guidance for developers.
RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2025–2031
RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2025-2031, dated April 2026 is adopted. The strategy sets the strategic direction for the RECAP partnership, focusing on delivering sustainable and integrated waste management across the RECAP area.
This strategy responds to changing legislation and evolving responsibilities for local authorities. It covers the management of municipal waste (waste under local authority control), for example waste collected from households at the kerbside and at Household Recycling Centres and recognises the wider influence councils can have on other waste streams, such as commercial and industrial waste.
Through collaboration, the strategy aims to:
- Improve service delivery despite increasing demand and financial pressures.
- Support the growing population with efficient waste solutions in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
It provides a set of focus themes and actions:
- Embedding the waste management hierarchy and circular economy
- Effective waste communications
- Legislation, contracts, and procurement
- Waste management infrastructure
- Carbon and emissions reduction
- Commercial opportunities and innovations
- Data capture, monitoring, recording and reporting
- Strategy application, review and governance
Please note: This strategy does not cover the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Contract managed by Cambridgeshire County Council. Please visit what happens to your waste to learn more.
Strategy document
The new strategy document can be viewed or downloaded. Please visit RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2025-2031 (recap.co.uk, 71 pages, 4.89MB, opens as PDF)
RECAP Waste Management Design Guide
The updated Waste Management Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was adopted on 19 May 2026 and supersedes previous versions.
It is aimed at developers and provides clear guidance on the waste management infrastructure required for both residential and commercial developments, helping to avoid operational challenges experienced in the past.
The guide includes:
- Specifications for roads to ensure refuse vehicle access.
- Requirements for bin storage and positioning for efficient collection.
- Details on bin sizes and layouts.
This guide applies to local authorities within Cambridgeshire only (Peterborough has its own policy).
Design guide document
The updated design guide can be viewed or downloaded. Please visit RECAP Waste Management Design Guide (recap.co.uk, 56 pages, 5.08MB, opens as PDF)
About RECAP
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) work together to continuously improve waste services, increase recycling and reduce waste, finding cost effective and environmentally responsible ways to meet the needs of local communities.
Find out more visit the RECAP website.
