Analysis of reuse options
There is no one-size-fits-all approach to providing expanded reuse services. It is therefore important to fully scope out the options that are best suited to the local circumstances.
Local authorities should strive for the best possible outcome first and should consider the options that have been shown to give best results, as detailed below. Remember that results from each option will vary on a local authority’s individual situation and circumstances.
Reuse retail and/or hubs within HWRCs
Opportunities
- A one-stop shop for both item drop-off and resale.
- Operated alongside existing householder recycling facilities that communities are already familiar with. Footfall is already generated at these sites and sites should already be accessible as well as known.
- Some authorities take into account lack of car ownership and allow access by cycles and pedestrians.
- Permitting and licensing requirements for HWRCs are already in place and should allow the establishment of hubs and retail for reuse on the same sites. The opportunity to add reuse activity at existing sites could be significantly less onerous than identifying a new site with the correct licensing and usage.
Challenges
- For reuse to become increasingly mainstream the retail offering has to provide the general public with a wide enough range of quality items to make the shopping experience worthwhile. An onsite shop, if restricted by space and throughput, may have limitations in this respect.
- An onsite shop would also be constrained by the HWRC site’s operating times, which would dictate the shop’s opening hours. Consideration must also be given to how HWRC booking systems and/or Automatic Number Plate Recognition may affect access. HWRCs are not always accessible to those without cars which also impacts visitors.
- The potential for HWRCs to incorporate reuse at existing sites could require significant land assessment work, with the potential for new and additional traffic requiring consideration.
Reuse retail and/or hubs adjacent to HWRCs
Opportunities
- A one-stop shop for both item drop-off and resale.
- A key feature of these is that they are close to, and associated with, the HWRC, but also separate, offering a clear route to householders for dropping off items, as well as offering a better reuse retail experience. Adjacent sites also offer a different perception to the reuse experience with it being seperate from the disposal facilities.
- This is a good option if the size of the HWRC is insufficient to accommodate reuse but there is land/buildings available nearby.
Challenges
- The options for establishing new sites are potentially expensive with respect to purchasing land, or taking long term leases.
- Establishing these sites may require significant site/land and planning assessment work. They have their own unique permitting, licences and/or exemption considerations, depending on the type and level of activity.
- However all of these could be outweighed by the lack of limitation on the reuse experience.
Managed containers in HWRCs supplying local reuse retail, regional reuse retail, national reuse retail and/or hubs
Opportunities
- Reuse containers/areas can be serviced under agreement by one or more reuse operators. They can also act as part of a hub and spoke reuse logistical arrangement where, rather than being collected directly by individual reuse operators, items are fed into a hub to be processed and redistributed.
- There are several examples of reuse containers being operated in Scotland, all of which report the need for trained, onsite staff to direct materials.
Challenges
- Operating requirements must be clearly set out and agreed to. Use of key performance indicators as drivers is helpful.
- Good site-user information should be provided and the interaction between site-staff and site users need to be clearly established and well managed.
As part of the move to mainstream largescale reuse, some organisations have started working towards creating larger destination reuse facilities. These reuse hubs are significant and sizable, often delivered via a collaborative and partnership approach, where stock from multiple HWRCs is directed to them for central sorting and sale. Watch the case study videos to hear about how it works for Dumfries and Galloway Council.
If a council’s options for reuse include the delivery of a larger scale reuse hub, then the complexity of this may mean that a phased roll out should be adopted, with different services delivered in stages. Stages might include:
- Choosing a limited number of HWRCs for initial development.
- Beginning with a pilot approach involving the delivery partners in a smaller initial project.
- Delivering the options along with bulky waste collections of reuse items from households. These services should be compatible and be designed to enable and support future growth.
If delivering a pilot, councils should consider their objectives, which could include easing delivery partner into more demanding operational environments, testing the KPIs, and assessing how performance on the ground might impact future, wider rollouts of reuse services and infrastructure.
Drop-off & collection options
There are various ways in which materials can be collected, stored, separated, retailed and redistributed. This can involve a combination of a number of models and logistics methods, such as:
- Individual reuse centres located within or adjacent to HWRCs with material fed from the HWRC or a combination of HWRC and direct drop-offs to the centre.
- A hub and spoke approach, where a large-scale reuse hub is fed by materials from different sources e.g. from multiple HWRCs, staffed reuse containers, direct drop-offs from the public and by bulky collections from households.
- Managed containers on HWRCs, where the contents are sorted on site and distributed internally or to one or multiple reuse organisations.
- Reuse containers on HWRCs, serviced by reuse organisations.
In addition, bulky waste collections from households should be considered, whether collection is by reuse organisations, the local authority or other contracted companies. A benefit of bookable bulky waste collection services (where items are collected at a specific time and date) and bulky waste infrastructure at HWRCs under cover, is the likelihood that items remain in good condition and that there is less impact on the local environment from poorly managed, discarded items. Collections should always be made from inside a property where possible, as items that are left outside are more likely to be damaged or contaminated.
Arrangements can be made with local third sector organisations that may be able to collect items from inside householders’ properties, so that they are in the best condition for reuse. If this arrangement is in place, then this should be promoted ahead of the council’s own bulky uplift service. It may also be possible to use private sector contractors to provide a collection service. The capacity of the third sector in the area for the additional service of collection, along with storing, refurbishing/repairing and finding outlets, will need to be considered during early discussions.
Planning & licensing
A review of current planning and licensing consents and constraints will need to be undertaken at an early stage.
Some smaller changes, such as locating a reuse container at a HWRC, may not require any changes to current licenses. However, larger scale changes are likely to require both changes to waste management licenses and consultation with planning departments around planning applications and consents.
As an example, planning permission is likely to be required for retail units, whether on-site or close to the HWRC. This permission is likely to include change of use and consideration of changes to traffic flows. Licensing may also need to be examined to ensure areas being used are safe for public access. More information on Waste Management Licensing can be found on the SEPA website.
A reuse organisation is likely to be required to register a number of waste exemptions with SEPA. The full legislation on waste exemptions is included within the Scottish Statutory Instrument 2011 No. 228: The Waste Management Licensing (Scotland) Regulations 2011. Note also that these regulations were amended in 2016, although the amendments are not directly linked to reuse activities.
Potential exemptions
Paragraph 15 – Beneficial use of waste
Paragraph 47 - Repair and/or refurbishment of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE)
Paragraph 14 - Repair and Refurbishment
Full details of activities exempt from waste management licensing can be found on the SEPA website.
It is important to consider all Waste Regulations, including guidance on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and how this will impact chosen reuse options. The full guidance on Reuse Activities and Waste Regulations can be read on the SEPA website, with a POPs briefing available through the Revolve Reuse Knowledge Hub.
Site location & footfall
Site location will have a significant impact on footfall. Location factors that may determine the success of a reuse facility include:
- proximity to town centres and accessibility by private or public transport;
- visibility from the roadside;
- area demographics; and
- other services in the area.
It’s important to consider other aspects alongside site location that will encourage site use, both for those who drop off items and those who might wish to purchase items. Those wishing to drop off or purchase larger items will need space to park, but those who simply want to browse also need to be able to easily access the site, either on foot or via private or public transport.
Four potential options for locations are described below.
Establishing a Reuse Centre at a HWRC near an existing retail area
Pros
The site is well positioned with respect to proximity to other retail outlets as neighbours, which is likely to provide visibility and generate higher footfall than sites not near other retail areas.
Cons
Existing infrastructure may present constraints in terms of layout, size and the condition of both existing buildings and land. The physical links between the HWRC and the retail area could be a barrier to use if not well planned.
Rental costs in central locations and close to retail tend to be more expensive than sites in industrial areas.
Establishing a Reuse Centre at a HWRC within an industrial estate
Pros
If future development at the industrial estate includes retail, such as a supermarket, furniture retailer or homeware store, this may be an attractive location for reuse within a HWRC.
If the reuse centre is very large or offers a large range of services, they can become a destination in their own right, even when operating in non-central locations.
The HWRC is a known location for the local community, who will be visiting for waste and recycling purposes already.
Cons
The HWRC might be in a location not close to retail activity of the kind that could optimise footfall. With no natural footfall a significant marketing effort to draw people to the site will be required.
Establishing a Reuse Centre and HWRC at a greenfield site
Pros
This is an opportunity to provide a bespoke facility design where different council functions could come together as an integrated waste, recycling, and reuse management centre.
The location selected could be prominent, with the site being designed to enable residents to easily access it, by foot and by private and public transport.
The site could be designed to incorporate a reuse unit of a suitable size to store, process and sell significant tonnages of high-quality items; it could incorporate a range of potential services, for example education and skills training, upcycling, repair, and refurbishment.
Cons
Developments at greenfield sites require additional work to understand the impacts on the local community plus biodiversity and environmental impacts.
Development of greenfield sites could be expensive and will require extensive planning and input from multiple departments and organisations, including SEPA.
Establishing a Reuse Centre and HWRC at a brownfield site
Pros
Redevelopment is likely to be seen favourably in planning terms and could also lead to rejuvenation of an area, with financial and social benefits, which would fit with the ethos of reuse.
Cons
Brownfield sites may require extensive clearance and site investigation to ensure that the areas are safe and suitable for development – which could be costly. If interested in developing a brownfield site, please read SEPA’s guidance on contaminated land.
If the preferred option is for a reuse hub or centre as a retail location, rather than a redistribution point, then considerations should include:
• ensuring that a wide range of items are sold to encourage people to visit – the reputation will be enhanced if the facility is likely to sell a good range of high quality, sought-after items;
• the quality of the retail experience, such that the look and feel, is comparable with retail outlets selling brand new items;
• incorporating additional aspects to the site, such as a sharing library, repair options, workshops or cafés, to make the facility a more worthwhile destination for visitors; and
• delivering training and education related to the operation on-site, which will bring additional footfall, increase sales and raise awareness.
