Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet announced on 16th October 2024 that Cheshire West Recycling (CWR) will continue to deliver the kerbside recycling and waste collection service beyond March 2026 following a contract extension. In addition, CWR will also manage the borough’s Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) starting 1st April 2026 for an initial term of 8 years.
Priding itself on providing a high quality, efficient and value-for-money service to Cheshire West and Chester Council since 2020, CWR has been recognised for its for its ability to deliver significant environmental and social benefits locally.
A Cheshire West and Chester Council-owned company responsible for employing over 260 local people, CWR provides the kerbside collection of dry recycling, food waste, residual waste, garden waste and a bulky item collection service to residents of the borough. To date, the company has recycled around 65,000 tonnes of waste and has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by over 300 metric tonnes.
Championing a pioneering data-driven approach to operations, CWR has recently received a 2024 LARAC Award for shifting away from the requirement of temporary agency labour to a fully employed, local and stable workforce, which delivers upon its cooperative principles and social ethos.
With its existing contract with Cheshire West and Chester Council set to end in March 2026, CWR will not only continue to deliver kerbside services but will also take on the management of the Household Waste and Recycling Centres. These facilities process over 40,000 tonnes of waste annually, which are generated from approximately 740,000 resident visits.
These contract awards mark a significant milestone in CWR’s journey, reinforcing its position as a leading waste and recycling management provider committed to environmental sustainability and outstanding service delivery.
Andy Edwards, Managing Director of Cheshire West Recycling says: “We are incredibly proud to have secured these important contracts which reflect the hard work, dedication and innovation of our team since we started in 2020. Overseeing both kerbside and HWRC services will create a joined-up waste management system. This will help us drive efficiencies and support the Council’s goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045.”
CWR is deeply committed to the local community, employing over 80% of its workforce from within the borough. Now, as the company prepares to take on these expanded responsibilities, it remains focused on ensuring that community continues to sit at its core.
Andy Edwards adds: “While we expand our services to include HWRC management, we will remain focused on maximising our social value impact. Whether it’s creating local employment, supporting career development, working with local suppliers or reducing our environmental impact, everything we do will continue to benefit the community. This contract will give us an even greater opportunity to enhance our social value and to build on the work we've already started for the benefit of the community.”
