eTEEP tool to help councils comply with Simpler Recycling regulations
WRAP launches a web-based tool for local authorities operating commingled recycling collections to establish whether it is ‘technically, economically and environmentally practical’ to separately collect paper and cardboard.
Many local authorities preparing Simpler Recycling currently face a requirement to modify their kerbside recycling service by 31 March 2026 to separately collect paper and card.
Addressing this, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has introduced a new assessment tool to assist councils that claim it will not be ‘technically, economically or environmentally practicable’ (aka TEEP) to do this.
In these cases, local authorities must provide written justification for their decisions, which the electronic Technical, Economic and Environmental Practability (eTEEP) tool is designed to determine and provide.
How the eTEEP tool works
WRAP’s eTEEP tool allows users to compare common recycling service models, including multi-stream, two-stream, and full commingled collection systems. These comparisons are based on technical barriers to implementation, cost effectiveness, and environmental impacts measured as greenhouse gas emissions.
The tool features customisable inputs such as salaries, vehicle costs, and service specifications, allowing local authorities to tailor the assessment to their specific circumstances. It also incorporates existing LA Portal values specific to each assigned local authority, reducing the need for manual input.
Upon completion of all sections, councils can access an output report summarising the cost and environmental impact of a range of waste and recycling collection systems specific to their local authority.
The tool was developed in conjunction with around 50 local authorities and incorporates information from WasteDataFlow and the WRAP LA Portal.
To support implementation, WRAP has made training videos available online, outlining use of the tool on a step-by-step basis. The tool also features various pop-up information boxes and FAQs to guide users through the process.
Defra support and compliance requirements
While using the eTEEP tool is not compulsory, local authorities must ensure that any written assessment conducted without the tool's outputs and data meets a comparable evidential standard that satisfies the Environment Agency (EA), should there be any circumstance that the EA is required to arbitrate. .
The Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has stated that these written assessments do not need to be submitted to the Environment Agency but should be retained should they be requested.
Defra has also provided guidance on circumstances where it might not be technically or economically practicable to collect paper and card separately, including inappropriate waste management spaces (such as depot and storage space), space to accommodate more containers in premises or on streets, and the costs of containers, vehicles, management, contractual changes, and overhead costs.
When assessing whether there is 'no significant environmental benefit', authorities are asked to consider carbon impacts for the whole route of waste (including collection and bulking of materials), quantity and quality of materials collected, vehicle emissions from collection and haulage, materials recovery facility emissions, quantity of material rejected at MRFs, and other relevant environmental factors.
