In order to encourage greater recycling, we provide a financial incentive to charitable and non-for-profit organisations that recycle different waste materials. This incentive is called a recycling credit, which allows numerous organisations, authorities and charities to claim a credit.
To find out if you are eligible to claim recycling credits and what materials you can claim for, please view the terms & conditions.
If you believe your organisation is eligible to claim recycling credits under the terms and conditions you will then need to:
1. Decide what to collect
Ensure the materials collected are only from households, not businesses. Ensure the materials can be recycled and that they can be collected and stored safely.
2. Arrange a merchant to collect
All materials need to be collected by a registered merchant recycler, otherwise recycling credits will not be paid.
3. Register collection scheme with us
We can supply the relevant forms for registering the scheme, please email: recycling@staffordshire.gov.uk and we may be able to offer practical advice on how to set up a scheme.
4. Start collecting
Publicise the scheme in the local area and collect the chosen materials.
5. Claim recycling credits
Email recycling@staffordshire.gov.uk to request a claim form. Complete the claim form along with the submission of relevant weighbridge tickets.
Please note: your scheme may not be accepted if it conflicts with another registered recycling scheme or a district council recycling programme.
If you would like to speak to someone about registering for recycling credits, please contact 0300 111 8000.
Terms and conditions - Third party recycling credit scheme - policy statement
Environmental Protection Act 1990 - Payments for the disposal of waste
- The following organisations are eligible to receive recycling credits:
• Not-for-Profit Community Groups (e.g. parish groups, scouts, etc);
• Social Enterprises (e.g. Council for Voluntary Service, etc); and
• Registered Charities operating High Street Retail Outlets (e.g. Oxfam, Katherine House Hospice, etc)
- Merchants, brokers, supermarkets and other commercial businesses are not eligible to receive Third Party Recycling credits.
- Materials eligible for recycling credits must be obtained from household sources only. Recycling Credits can not be paid for waste collected from commercial organisations (e.g. stock clearance donations from clothing retail outlets).
- Registered Charities operating High Street Retail Outlets must be based in Staffordshire and the eligibility for payments are based on the back-of-store textile recycling. Front-of-Store retail items are not eligible for the payment of credits.
- Third Parties collecting textiles in line with paragraph 3 of this policy, must use merchants that are registered with the Environment Agency as a Waste Carrier and have a Waste Management Licence/Permit or equivalent exemption where applicable.
- The Recycling Credit payment rates are:
- Textiles - £10 per tonne with no inflationary adjustments.
- Other commodities (paper, glass bottles, metal cans) - £58.12 for 2021/22. A 3% annual increase is provided in line with payments made to the Waste Collection Authorities
- Claims for Third Parties Recycling Credits must be made in accordance with forms RC1, RC2 and RC3. These forms require information required to support the claim and relevant Duty of Care and Corporate Social Responsibility evidence. This will include, but not limited to, copies of waste carriers/management licences, weighbridge tickets or similar proof of collection source and weights, end destinations of waste, etc.
- Claims must be submitted on a quarterly basis in line with the dates provided each year.