The survey covers gate fees charged to local authorities for a range of municipal waste recycling, recovery and disposal options.
While MRF gate fees are down, Anaerobic Digestion (AD), In-Vessel Composting (IVC) and Energy from Waste (EfW) all saw increases from last year. Landfill charges, exclusive of tax, also rose slightly.
Materials Recycling Facilities
The report found that the median gross MRF gate fee in 2024/25 stood at £82 per tonne, down from £90/t in 2023/24, with a wide range of £39–£162/t.
The median net fee was £42/t, compared with £51/t last year.
Although fees softened slightly, a large number of contracts are due to end soon, creating potential for volatility.
WRAP reported that 36% of MRF contracts will expire by the end of 2025, rising to 65% by the end of 2026.
Collection methods remain a key factor in shaping future fees, with 27% of local authorities said they envisaged changing their kerbside recycling collection method – almost half of these currently using a fully commingled system.
In-Vessel Composting
IVC charges increased in 2024/25, with median fees reported at:
- £73/t for mixed food and green waste
- £57/t for green waste only
- £72/t for food waste only
These figures are broadly higher than last year, reflecting operational and compliance costs.
WRAP noted a reduction in the proportion of local authorities sending garden waste only to IVC, down from 94% in 2023/24 to 50% this year.
Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion fees also rose, with the median gate fee increasing to £24/t (from £20/t in 2023/24). The range of reported fees stretched from -£42/t to £78/t, with a small number of negative gate fees still present.
WRAP suggested that operators expect the trend of negative fees to disappear entirely as subsidies end, operational costs climb and demand for AD capacity grows due to the rollout of separate food waste collections.
Energy from Waste
EfW saw median gate fees rise across all categories in 2024/25:
- £121/t for residual waste mixed with bulky waste containing POPs
- £121/t for residual waste excluding bulky waste with POPs
- £164/t for bulky waste containing POPs only
The latter category saw the sharpest increase, climbing from £140/t last year.
Landfill
The report also covers non-hazardous landfill (NHLF). The median gate fee was £26/t (exclusive of landfill tax), up slightly from £24/t in 2023/24.
However, costs to local authorities have been significantly affected by the increase in the standard landfill tax rate, which rose from £103.70/t to £126.15/t across the UK on 1 April 2025.
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