THURROCK Council has received £3.59 million funding to improve its recycling targets.

The Government's Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme aims to ensure that producers cover the full cost of collecting, sorting, and processing packaging waste rather than council taxpayers.

The funding is intended to support local authorities in the efficient reduction and disposal of packaging waste. While the amount awarded to Thurrock for 2025/26 is the minimum confirmed, it is expected to increase following further refinement by Defra.

There are no restrictions on how the funding must be spent, provided it aligns with the objectives of improving the environment and delivering value for money.

Introducing the scheme to cabinet colleagues recently, Victoria Holloway, councillor responsible for place and environment, said: "Thurrock has received an allocation of £3.59 million through the government's new pEPR scheme which fundamentally changes the way that packaging waste is funded in local government.

"For the first time the costs of managing packaging waste are being shifted from the local taxpayers to the producers who placed these materials on the market."

Cllr Holloway added: "It's a major step in driving environmental responsibility and supporting local authorities to improve recycling and reducing waste. Current performance on recycling is at 28.5 and sadly well below the national average.

"This presents both a challenge and a clear opportunity and provides us with a means to accelerate our waste and recycling transformation, improve the services we offer residents and reduce both the environmental and financial costs of waste management in Thurrock."

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The funding will allow the council to establishment of a £1.5 million climate action team.

The team will aim to increase participation in food, recycling, and garden waste services and there will be improvements to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, including a new booking system, site safety enhancements, and reuse and recycling infrastructure.

Cllr Holloway said this would "ensure that every pound of this new funding is targeted towards measurable improvements helping us to raise recycling rates deliver better value for money and create a cleaner greener and more sustainable Thurrock."