New-build developments
When planning new-build housing developments in Bristol, it is essential to ensure suitable waste and recycling facilities are incorporated into your design from the outset. Adequate waste management arrangements are a key requirement during the planning process and help ensure developments can operate efficiently once residents move in.
Waste and recycling requirements for new-build housing developments
Developers are responsible for providing appropriate waste and recycling facilities for all new residential developments in line with Bristol City Council guidance.
This includes ensuring there is sufficient storage capacity, accessible collection points, and suitable arrangements for residents and collection crews.
As part of the development process, developers must fund the purchase and supply of all required waste and recycling containers. Commercial units or student accommodation must have a commercial waste management contract in place.
Before ordering any containers, you must submit a New-build development enquiry so our team can review your proposals and agree on:
Container types, container sizes, number of containers required, storage arrangements, delivery and collection requirements.
All container specifications must be approved before purchase.
Read the guidance
Before submitting your enquiry, please review Bristol City Council’s guidance on waste and recycling storage and collection facilities.
This document outlines the standards and design considerations required for new developments and will help ensure your proposal meets planning expectations.
Site visits and bin delivery
Please allow sufficient lead-in time when planning your development programme; bin delivery can take 8 to 12 weeks.
Before waste and recycling containers can be delivered to any new residential property, Bristol Waste must carry out a site visit to assess and approve collection arrangements.
Developers should request a site visit for both single dwellings and larger multi-property developments.
During the visit, our team will assess: Bin storage locations, vehicle access routes, collection points, health and safety considerations, and accessibility for residents and collection crews.
Until the waste collection service is set up, it is the developer’s responsibility to provide a temporary solution, so engaging with Bristol Waste as early as possible is strongly recommended.
Submit your new-build development enquiry
Complete the New Build Development Form and our team will calculate the required container provision, review your proposals and arrange a site visit where necessary.
Commercial developments and PBSA
If your project includes a commercial property or Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), you must ensure a commercial waste management contract is in place before the building becomes operational.
Bristol Waste provides reliable and cost-effective commercial waste and recycling services for businesses, student accommodation providers and commercial developments across Bristol.
Frequently asked questions
Developers of new housing developments in Bristol are responsible for:
- Providing and funding waste and recycling containers for new residents
- Creating suitable waste storage facilities
- Ensuring bins are accessible for residents and collection crews
- Providing safe collection and presentation points
- Booking a site visit with Bristol Waste
- Informing Bristol Waste when residents are due to move in
- Remove all construction waste from bin stores before service starts
- Bristol Waste will not collect construction waste
- Provide a temporary waste collection solution until the service starts
- Ensure collection arrangements are operational before occupation
Planning for these requirements early can help avoid delays and support a smooth handover to residents.
Waste and recycling storage facilities should be designed to support convenient use and efficient collections.
Storage areas should:
- Be easy for residents and collection crews to access and remove bins from
- Be located close to collection points
- Be well-lit and secured with a combination lock
- Be adequately ventilated
- Minimise noise, odours and visual impact
- Meet accessibility requirements
- Comply with relevant fire safety standards
Well-designed bin storage areas can improve recycling participation, reduce contamination and create a better experience for residents.
The design of a development must enable waste and recycling collections to be carried out safely and efficiently.
Key considerations include:
- Safe vehicle access – waste collection vehicles must be able to enter, manoeuvre within and exit the development safely
- Distance to collection points – the distance between bin storage locations and collection points should be practical for residents and collection crews
- Road design
- Road widths
- Vehicle tracking requirements
- Turning heads and turning circles
- Service yards and loading areas
- Parking restrictions that could obstruct collections
- Operational efficiency
- Collection routes should minimise unnecessary movement of containers while maintaining safe access for all users
Where suitable access cannot be provided, alternative arrangements may be required, including commercial waste collection services.