With further gains expected at upcoming local elections, FCC Environment’s Mapping the Politics of Waste 2026 report suggested that attention will begin to shift from political messaging to the practical realities of running frontline services such as collections, recycling infrastructure and household waste recycling centres (HWRCs).
The report highlighted that despite its growing electoral success, Reform UK has so far provided very limited detail on waste and recycling policy – a point previously highlighted by LARAC following 2025’s local elections.
While the party’s manifesto includes broad commitments to increase recycling and reduce single-use plastics, there is “no further detail” on how these ambitions would be delivered in practice.
This lack of specificity is creating “uncertainty” across the sector, particularly in areas such as:
- Recycling targets
- Landfill policy
- Energy from Waste (EfW) development
- Long-term infrastructure investment
FCC suggested that this absence of a defined position leaves operators and local authorities unclear about the direction of travel under Reform-led administrations.
Contrarily, the party has been strongly critical of decarbonisation policies, and some Reform-led councils have already moved away from climate-related commitments.
This could have implications for circular economy initiatives, reuse and repair schemes and resource efficiency programmes, which are closely linked to decarbonisation policy, argued the report.
As waste collections are one of the most immediate and publicly scrutinised services, FCC argued that it could quickly become “one of the areas where residents judge their performance”.
A period of change for the waste sector
The report also looked forward at the current Labour Government’s plans for new waste policy, as the sector enters a period of significant structural and legislative change.
At a national level, the sector is navigating Simpler Recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility and the planned Deposit Return Scheme, with a broader Circular Economy Growth Plan still expected in 2026.
Steve Longdon, Chief Executive of FCC Environment, commented: “As reforms finally move into implementation, it is vital that we understand how political change, governance structures and public awareness will influence their success.
“This report is intended to support informed debate about what comes next, and how we can deliver more consistent, resilient and circular services across the UK.”
Local Government Reorganisation
Alongside this, the government’s programme of Local Government Reorganisation will reshape how services are delivered.
The move towards unitary authorities will bring waste collection and disposal under single organisations, requiring a full rethink of service design, contracts and governance.
FCC stated that this transition is likely to create short-term disruption, including contract renegotiations and potential delays to procurement.
But it also pointed to longer-term opportunities, with larger authorities better placed to deliver economies of scale, more consistent services and strategic investment.
The report added: “Collection rounds can be rationalised across wider areas, fleet management can be streamlined, and disposal infrastructure can be planned with greater long-term certainty.
“For waste contractors, this may open the door to larger, more integrated contracts and the ability to innovate at scale.”
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