Who we are
The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) works 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.
The partnership works together in a number of ways to achieve these goals including:
- manage waste according to the Waste hierarchy to minimise our impact on the environment.
- ensure efficient use of all Waste Partnership resources to provide cohesive, high quality services at minimal cost.
- create sustainable waste infrastructure to meet the long term needs of our expanding population.
- be early adopters by using innovation and new technology that to improve waste performance and reduce cost across the Partnership in a joined up way.
- Communicate and promote clearly the RECAP objectives to effect local change and make a positive contribution to combating climate change.
RECAP formed in 1999 and brings together the following local authorities:
- Cambridge City Council
- Cambridgeshire County Council
- East Cambridgeshire District Council
- Fenland District Council
- Huntingdonshire District Council
- South Cambridgeshire District Council
- Peterborough City Council
Partnership working arrangements
The partnership is made up of a number of working groups, each of which has representation from all of the partnering authorities. Elected Members are responsible for setting priorities and decision making and projects are supported and delivered by Officers with expertise in waste management.
Our Vision
Working ever closer together to deliver the best most cost effective services for the benefit of all local communities in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The documents listed below set out our vision for the partnership and highlight key projects which will assist in RECAP achieving our targets.
New RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2025-2031 Adopted
We are delighted to announce the adoption and publication of the new RECAP Resources and Waste Strategy 2025-2031.
This document aims to provide an overview of the collection and disposal arrangements for waste management for all local authorities within the RECAP Partnership area.
It provides a strategic set of themes to focus and complete actions for over the strategy period:
- 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
The strategy document can be viewed or downloaded below.
This is a key time of change for the RECAP Partnership with the implementation of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), which may see the number of authorities within the partnership reduce.
The strategy sets clear and measurable targets, providing focus and drive during this challenging period.
RECAP Waste Management Design Guide
We have also updated our RECAP design guide. The new supplementary planning document (SPD) has been adopted by the Cambridgeshire County Council Waste and Minerals Planning Authority. This will support planning requirements for all local authorities in Cambridgeshire, except Peterborough City Council who have a separate policy.
The updates provide developers with consistent and clear guidance for those designing new waste management provisions across the county. Updates include:
- Underground bin storage for new developments
- Drag distances
- Bin specifications
The design guide document can be viewed or downloaded below.
Achievements
- Waste Analysis 2019 - identified 30% of the black bag waste is food waste which could be recycled.
- Recyclable Summer Challenge - working with local children to create story about what happens to recycling.
- Wear it Love it Share it - working with local charities to get textiles out of landfill
- Love Food Hate Waste – engaging local communities to reduce food waste
- As a partnership we have achieved a 52.47% recycling and composting rate
Over the last 20 years, the recycling rate in Cambridgeshire & Peterborough has increased significantly, from 17% in 1999/2000 to over 52% in 2018/19. Thank you for making this happen.
Below are the latest figures for how the partnership is performing when it comes to waste and recycling.
| Recycled | Composted | Recycled and composted | Residual Waste | Total amount of household waste |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105,223 28.25% |
90,293 24.22% |
195,590 52.47% |
177,200 47.53% |
372,790 |
Recognition
The partnership was awarded Beacon Status 2006/07 and in 2009 was awarded a 'Green Flag' for 'exceptional performance and innovation from which others can learn', following a Government evaluation of services.
The partnership has also received further awards for its individual initiatives, including Green Apple Awards, LARAC and, in 2009, a Government Business Award for partnership trade waste projects.
