Waste Composition Analysis (WCA) has long been a vital tool for local authorities. It provides clear evidence about what is contained within household and commercial waste streams. This insight supports better decisions, improved recycling rates and more efficient services.
Integrated Skills has delivered WCA projects for many years. Now, through a new partnership with Frith Resource Management, we are strengthening our offer even further. The result is a more strategic, policy-led and future-focused approach that helps councils move from data collection to confident long-term planning.
A Strong Foundation in Waste Strategy
Integrated Skills became internationally recognised for its waste strategy expertise before expanding into Waste Composition Analysis in 2017.
Early projects took the team to Guernsey, Uzbekistan and the West Bank. These commissions built experience in different operating environments, policy settings and collection systems.
Since then, Integrated Skills has expanded its WCA services across the UK. We now deliver repeat commissions for a wide range of local authorities and major waste operators, reflecting our clients’ trust in both the technical quality and practical value we offer.
Why Waste Composition Analysis Matters to Local Authorities
Local authorities operate in a complex and changing landscape. They face financial pressures, new policy requirements and increasing public scrutiny. Waste Composition Analysis provides evidence that supports:
WCA shows what materials are present in residual waste and recycling streams. This helps councils to identify missed recyclable materials, target contamination issues, review collection frequencies and plan new services such as food waste collections.
Without composition data, service changes rely on assumptions. With WCA, decisions are evidence-based.
New national policies are reshaping the financial and operational landscape for councils:
Composition data allows authorities to forecast financial impacts, understand material flows, model future tonnages and prepare for reporting requirements.
Waste is closely linked to climate commitments. Knowing the composition of residual waste helps councils estimate carbon impacts and identify opportunities to divert high-carbon materials. Reducing food waste in residual bins, for example, can significantly lower emissions. Reliable data is essential to set realistic carbon reduction targets.
Waste services represent a large share of local authority budgets. Composition studies help identify:
In short, WCA protects public money by supporting smarter resource planning.
Innovation in Methodology
Integrated Skills has continued to refine and strengthen its approach to Waste Composition Analysis over the years. A key area of strengthened methodology is our improvement in sampling design, using the Output Area Classification system developed by the Office for National Statistics.
This ensures that samples reflect the demographic and socio-economic diversity of an authority area, improving statistical confidence and making findings more defensible.
We also translate survey findings into GIS-based mapping outputs. Rather than presenting tables alone, results are visualised across the whole authority area.
This allows councils to:
We have also developed a new methodology for Household Waste Recycling Centre composition analysis. HWRCs are often overlooked in traditional WCA studies. Their inclusion provides a strategic understanding of:
This broader view helps authorities manage the full waste system, not just kerbside collections.
Elevating WCA Through Strategic Partnership
While high-quality data is essential, this alone is not enough. Councils need interpretation, benchmarking and policy context. This is where our partnership with Frith Resource Management adds significant value.
Frith Resource Management is recognised for its expertise in waste policy and carbon assessment. The organisation supports authorities in understanding:
By combining composition data with policy modelling, councils gain a clearer picture of long-term risk and opportunity.
Carbon accounting is becoming central to local authority decision-making, and Frith Resource Management brings detailed understanding of carbon factors across collection and treatment operations.
When combined with Integrated Skills’ composition data, WCA moves beyond tonnage analysis and into climate strategy. With this information, Councils can:
Frith Resource Management also provides benchmarking expertise, enabling Councils to compare their performance against similar authorities. This helps answer key questions such as:
This context supports informed decisions and strengthens business cases.
From Operational Study to Strategic Planning Tool
The partnership between Integrated Skills and Frith Resource Management transforms Waste Composition Analysis into a strategic planning tool.
Together, we provide:
This integrated approach supports waste strategy reviews, service transformation programmes, procurement decisions, infrastructure planning and budget setting. Rather than a standalone technical report, WCA becomes part of a broader strategic framework.
Supporting Authorities in Transition
Many local authorities are currently in transition. They are preparing for separate food waste collections, adjusting to packaging reforms and reviewing long-term disposal contracts. In these circumstances, composition data is especially valuable.
Integrated Skills has already supported authorities undergoing significant change. By providing clear evidence on material flows and capture performance, we have helped councils make confident decisions at critical points in their strategy development.
With the added expertise of Frith Resource Management, that support now extends further into policy modelling, carbon forecasting and benchmarking analysis.
A Joined-Up Offer for a Changing Landscape
The waste sector is evolving quickly. Policy reforms, climate targets and financial pressures demand smarter planning.
Integrated Skills brings:
Frith Resource Management brings:
Together, we offer a solution that connects data with policy and strategy.
Looking ahead
Waste Composition Analysis remains a solid foundation for effective waste management. However, its true value lies in how it informs decisions. Through this partnership, Integrated Skills is moving beyond traditional survey delivery. We’re now positioning WCA as a strategic asset.
For local authorities facing complex challenges, this elevated approach provides clarity and confidence.
Would you like to know more about Integrated Skills Partners with Frith Resource Management to Elevate WCA Offering to a Strategic Level? Fill in your details below and let us know how we can help.
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