Our policies and strategies

Our Commitment

Greater Cambridge Shared Waste (GCSW) is a partnership between Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council. We are committed to delivering a high-quality, environmentally responsible waste and recycling service to over 131,000 households across the region.

Our policies and strategies are designed to:

• maximise recycling and resource recovery
• minimise waste sent to landfill
• reduce carbon emissions
• support sustainable development and circular economy principles
• strategic Objectives

We align with the national Waste Hierarchy, prioritising:

• prevention
• reuse
• recycling
• recovery
• disposal

We also support the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Waste Partnership (RECAP) and contribute to the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy, ensuring a coordinated regional approach.

Collection Services

Green bins are emptied ever four weeks in winter (December, January and February)

We operate an alternate weekly collection system:

Black bins: General waste
Blue bins: Mixed recycling
Green bins: Food and garden waste

Our services are tailored to meet the needs of diverse housing types, including flats, Houses of multiple occupation (HMOs), and new developments .

Recycling and Waste Processing

• blue bin recycling is sorted at a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in Northern Ireland. In 2023–24, 82% of recyclables were processed in the UK, with 100% of plastics staying within the UK
• green bin waste is composted at Thalia Waste Management in Waterbeach and turned into soil conditioner
• black bin waste is managed by Cambridgeshire County Council, the designated waste disposal authority.

Sustainability and Innovation

• we are introducing street litter recycling and exploring underground waste systems in new developments
• our policies are reviewed regularly to adapt to changing environmental goals and community needs
• we prioritise UK-based recycling markets and ensure all exported materials are fully traceable and legally compliant.

Waterbeach Renewable Energy Network

• Construction has begun on a solar‑powered renewable energy network at the Waterbeach Depot to power electric bin lorries for Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire.
• The scheme includes a 1 megawatt solar array and battery storage feeding 36 EV charging points.
• By 2027, the Shared Waste service will operate 18 electric bin lorries (up from four currently), all powered by on‑site renewable energy.
• The project will also provide 59% of the depot’s overall energy needs and deliver over 40% biodiversity net gain through habitat improvements.
• The energy produced would be equivalent to powering 250 UK homes for 30 years, illustrating its long‑term environmental impact.

Resident Support and Service Standards

Our Household Waste and Recycling Policies and Procedures outline:

• bin collection standards
• assisted collections
• bulky item services
• clinical waste handling
• missed collection protocols
• battery and hygiene waste services

Read Our Household Waste and Recycling Policies and Procedures [PDF, 0.5MB]