The LGA has urged ministers to resist calls from the packaging industry to run household waste and recycling, and to keep collection decisions local.
Under the Government’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme, producers will fund the cost of managing packaging waste in the UK.
The LGA supports these reforms, but has warned that some proposals would shift key powers over doorstep services away from councils and into the hands of industry.
Industry groups have argued that, because they will contribute to costs, they should decide what local services look like and how funding is allocated, and be able to withhold money from councils that do not follow industry-preferred models.
Councils have said this risks a one-size-fits-all approach driven by cost rather than community benefit.
Despite financial pressures, including a 20 per cent reduction in environmental services since 2010, waste and recycling services have retained high public trust.
Cllr Arooj Shah, the LGA’s Environment Spokesperson, said: “Councils are proud to deliver waste and recycling services that are trusted by the public and tailored to the needs of local areas.
“We support the ambition of the EPR reforms, but they must be built on partnership and respect for what local government delivers every day.
“Decisions about collections and services must remain in the hands of communities, not handed over to producers whose priority will inevitably be profit. If this scheme is to succeed, it must strengthen local delivery, not sideline it.”
The LGA has called for fair funding under EPR, genuine partnership and a focus on reducing waste at source.