Resource Futures undertook work for WRAP ROTATE to produce an outline plan for trialling separate food waste collections in Dartford, Maidstone, Sevenoaks and Swale (Kent), drawing in particular on the findings from the Evaluation of the WRAP Separate Food Waste Collection Trials, which provided the most current and comprehensive information on the subject.

The final report provided the context and rationale for running practical trials within the Kent Waste Partnership. As well as desk based analysis, research included field work and discussions with practitioners.

 
Recommendations for the trials were as follows:

• Ten trial rounds were identified, divided between the four districts, and were configured to be achievable in the given available time and collection capacity, taking into consideration the distances travelled between depots, rounds and facilities.
• It was recommended that the trial be run over at least six months and preferably for a year, following a minimum three month lead time. Residents would be provided a weekly service with kerbside food waste bucket, kitchen caddy and liners. The operations would be undertaken by two fully trained and committed crews, managed and working from one depot to serve the four districts.

It was found that if the four districts were to perform with participation and capture rates in line with the model then an output of 15,379 tonnes per year would be expected, which would improve the recycling rates of the districts involved by 7- 8 percentage points. Recommendations as to clear and targeted communications to enable this were provided.

Finally, estimated costs were provided, modeled on different participation scenarios. Indicative full service costs demonstrated considerable savings per household served and tonne of material collected. The report also provided exit scenarios for closure or continuation of trial service and addressed the consequent issues in relation to communications and practicalities.