WRAP Launch Free-To-Use Simpler Recycling Tool

The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) launched a free online tool on 1 April to aid local authorities in completing co-collection assessments for household Simpler Recycling, which comes into effect in March 2026.

In Simpler Recycling legislation, the default requirement is that paper and card are collected separately from other materials (or ‘source separated’) unless waste collectors or authorities believe that this is “technically or economically impracticable, or provides no significant environmental benefit” (TEEP) to do so, and can complete a written assessment to support this.

WRAP’s new ‘eTEEP’ tool – developed in partnership with DEFRA and piloted with 50 local authorities – allows councils to carry out these assessments using standardised, pre-populated data from WRAP’s LA Portal, where the tool is hosted.

Councils can use the tool to compare collection scenarios, assess the impact of various waste and recycling systems, and generate modelled outputs.

Whilst using the tool is not mandatory, councils must be aware that each completed co-collection assessment must meet an evidential standard acceptable to the Environment Agency.

You can find Circular’s article on WRAP’s eTEEP tool here.

In other Simpler Recycling news, the legislation for workplaces entered into force on 31 March, with DEFRA publishing updated guidance on 4 April to clarify which workplaces are covered by the rules and what types of waste must be recycled.

You can find our pre-launch MU article on Simpler Recycling for workplaces here.