Programme of work on mixed waste composition

Lot 1 is divided into four packages of work (WPs), with design and reporting included within each. Overall project management should be shown as a separate package of work (i.e. WP5).

Within Lot 1 there will be two distinct phases – Phase 1 and Phase 2.

Phase 1 will deliver WP1-WP4 for the following waste streams:

• waste and recycling collected from households
• other local authority waste and recycling
• waste and recycling received at sites
• output and residual streams coded 19 12 12 produced from waste treatment facilities.

It is anticipated that Phase 1 will run from inception in Q2 2022/23 to completion of reporting in Q4 2023/24.

Phase 2 will deliver WP1-WP4 for the following waste streams (see annex 4):

• Waste and recycling produced by agriculture, forestry and fishing (SICs 01-03)
• Waste and recycling produced by industry (SICs 10-36) except for the waste and remediations industries
• Waste and recycling produced by construction and demolition (SIC 41-43)
• Waste and recycling produced by commerce (SICs 45-96)

It is anticipated that Phase 2 will run from inception in Q3 2023/24 to completion of reporting in Q4 2024/25. Budgets for 2023/25 have not yet been agreed within Defra. Prior to Phase 2, Defra will have the option of enacting a break clause should budget not be made available for this work; whether Phase 2 will proceed or not will be confirmed in Q3 2023/2024.

WP 1 covers the collection of new primary data using scientific measurement methods, often referred to as ‘waste composition analysis.’ It also includes gathering and collating secondary data.

WP 2 involves desk-based and potentially primary research into the drivers of waste composition.

WP 3 combines the outputs of WPs 1 and 2 to create a predictive model.

WP 4 reviews the approaches used in the project, looking forward to new methods of generating measurement-based data on the composition of waste, and makes recommendations for future programmes of work, including anything that may be needed for delivering our collection and packaging reforms (DRS, EPR and consistency).

All the above WPs will be underpinned by WP 5, which covers contractor project management, communication and knowledge-sharing.

All deliverables for WPs 1-5 will be required for both Phases 1 and 2.

Lot 2 specifically exists to appoint a fieldwork quality auditor whose role will be to assure that delivery of the fieldwork is in line with the quality assurance standards set out by the successful Lot 1 contractor. This applies to fieldwork in both Phases 1 and 2.