Countrystyle Recycling has retained its contract to process wood waste from Kent County Council’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs), securing a new deal worth £8.75 million.

The contract will see the company continue handling approximately 25,000 tonnes of wood waste annually, with the new arrangements beginning on 15 November 2026.

The initial contract will run for five years until November 2031, with an option to extend for a further two years until 2033.

According to the contract award notice, published on 29 October, Countrystyle was the only company to submit a bid for the work.

Based on the full seven-year contract period, including the potential extension, the £8.75 million award equates to an estimated £50 per tonne, assuming annual volumes of 25,000 tonnes.

This compares with an estimated £41.40 per tonne under the previous arrangements, based on council figures published in November 2025. However, the £50 figure is indicative and assumes the advertised contract value covers all seven years.

Background

Countrystyle has a long-standing relationship with Kent County Council, having previously secured a wood waste processing contract in October 2010.

The company subsequently retained the work through further contractual arrangements, with the existing contract due to expire on 14 November 2026.

In November 2025, the council approved plans to retender the service, explaining that the existing agreement could not be extended further under its contractual provisions.

At the time, the council said the new procurement would provide an opportunity to improve efficiency, encourage innovation and secure competitive pricing.

The council’s report also highlighted market volatility, limited domestic reprocessing capacity and changes to environmental regulations as potential risks to the procurement.

Although five responses were received during preliminary market engagement in September 2025, only one formal tender was ultimately submitted.

Recycling arrangements

Under the new agreement, Countrystyle will receive wood waste delivered by the council’s existing waste transfer contractors.

The contract requires wood to be separated into appropriate grades, with higher-quality material prioritised for recycling and lower-grade material directed towards suitable recovery or biomass outlets.

The council expects no wood waste to be sent to landfill.

Countrystyle operates from Ridham Dock in Sittingbourne, Kent, where it has established waste processing operations.

The council’s procurement documents also include a break clause in 2028, designed to provide flexibility during local government reorganisation.

Any extension beyond the initial five-year term will be subject to performance and value-for-money assessments, including a benchmarking exercise before the extension is activated.