WRAP issues 2014-2015 tipping fee report

The U.K.-based Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has issued its latest “Gate Fees Report” comparing the costs of tipping fees for various waste management and recycling options in the U.K.

The 2014-15 report indicates that fees remain relatively constant for most waste treatment and disposal options, with gate fees at material recovery facilities (MRFs) and energy from waste facilities (EfW) differing the most from the previous assessment.

According to WRAP, information from local authorities and waste treatment companies was used to present median and ranges of gate fees for a variety of treatment and recycling options in the U.K.

The median gate fee paid by authorities for MRF services is £6 per metric ton in 2015, less than the median of £10 for 2014, the report says. In addition, the range of gate fees at MRFs was found to be much wider than for other services, with authorities paying from £43 per metric ton up to £86 per metric ton. A total of 33 local authorities, or 40 percent, reported they either pay no gate fee or receive payment from the MRF for their material.

Close to two-thirds of the local authorities questioned said they expected gate fees to increase, citing market prices of recovered material and the quality of inputs.

“Finding a clear picture of treatment costs in the U.K. is a difficult task,” says Marcus Gover, director of WRAP. “Our gate fees report highlights how variable charges are for waste management options, and how difficult this market can be to navigate without help.” To that end, Gover says the report is designed to be a resource for local authorities.

According to the report, the MRF gate fee for sorting four or more materials for 2014/2015 ranged from -£43 to £86, considering all contract years. The figures include material revenues but exclude hauling costs.

In comparison, the gate fees for incineration facilities with energy recovery ranged from £36 to £132 per metric ton, according to the report.

The full report and a summary of results is available at http://www.wrap.org.uk/content/comparing-cost-alternative-waste-treatment-options-gate-fees-report-2015.