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Written question asked by Darren Paffey (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 13 July 2026 (named day). It was answered by Mary Creagh (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Waste Disposal: Contracts

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance her Department provides to local authorities on ensuring value for money in contracts for the treatment of separately collected household food waste, including where private contractors receive revenue from biomethane and digestate produced from that waste.

Answer

Defra does not provide direct guidance to local authorities for the procurement of food waste treatment contracts.

However, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), funded by Defra have provided guidance for local authorities to support the implementation of Simpler Recycling. This includes Good Practice Guidance on Waste and Recycling Collections, including on building in contract flexibility, and more detailed guidance on providing household food waste collections, which also covers food waste treatment.

Furthermore, Local Partnerships has developed a standard Anaerobic Digestion contract, developed with Defra support, and available free on request to local authorities, which includes provisions for revenue sharing.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
16756
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Contracts Cost effectiveness Domestic waste Waste disposal
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk