Waste London: Recycling and Sustainability — a city-wide commitment

Waste London leads on Recycling and Sustainability by coordinating borough efforts to reduce waste, increase reuse and cut carbon emissions. Our recycling & sustainability work recognises that each neighbourhood has different collection systems — from food-waste caddies to mixed recycling and separate glass banks — and we design programmes that fit local needs while pushing toward a single, ambitious target.

Across boroughs, approaches to waste separation vary: some collect paper and card separately, others use commingled collections; many operate dedicated food waste rounds and communal glass points. This mix of systems is central to our strategy for sustainable recycling in London, because tailored services often increase participation and lower contamination rates, keeping recyclate valuable for reprocessing.

Our recycling percentage target

We have set a clear, measurable goal: to reach a 65% municipal recycling rate by 2030. That recycling percentage target reflects a realistic but stretching ambition to accelerate reuse, repair and recycling while reducing residual waste. Achieving this requires coordinated action on collection, local sorting infrastructure, community engagement and new partnerships that turn potential waste into resources.

To meet the 65% target we invest in local transfer stations and material recovery facilities that reduce haul distances and emissions. Our network of transfer stations — including North London Transfer Station, Southwark Transfer Hub and the East London Materials Facility — acts as local consolidation points where separated streams are checked, baled and sent to recycling processors. These transfer stations are a critical part of the sustainable waste management chain that supports borough collections.

Low-carbon fleet and collection innovations

Our vehicle strategy emphasises low-carbon vans and trucks. We operate a growing fleet of electric and hybrid collection vans for small-scale, specialist rounds and low-emission refuse fleet for larger routes. These low-carbon vans reduce diesel use, lower NOx and particulate emissions and help cut the carbon footprint of waste transport across the capital. We also trial alternative fuels where electric isn’t yet feasible.

Reuse and repair are central to our circular approach: before materials enter the residual stream we prioritise donation and refurbishment. Partnerships with charities enable bulky household items, textiles and functional electronics to be diverted for reuse instead of being shredded or landfilled. Collaborations with local community reuse shops and specialist e-waste charities turn potential waste into valuable goods, supporting social value and resource efficiency.

Our partnerships include neighbourhood-level charity schemes and larger third-sector organisations that specialise in furniture reuse, clothing redistribution and electronics refurbishment. These partners receive items at curated collection points or via scheduled pick-ups, extending the life of products and reducing the demand for new manufacturing. A key part of our sustainable recycling strategy is making reuse the easy first choice for residents and business.

Operationally, we support borough recycling teams with data, contamination analysis and targeted campaigns to improve capture rates for key streams: glass, food waste, paper, card, plastics and small WEEE. We provide tools that help councils understand where improvements will have the greatest impact, and we fund pilots for separate food waste collection and communal glass schemes that have proven effective in dense urban neighbourhoods.

Community engagement and behaviour change are essential. While infrastructure like local transfer stations and low-emission vehicles matters, the difference-maker is participation. We work with resident groups, landlords and businesses to increase the correct separation of recycling at source, reducing contamination and improving the quality of materials sent to reprocessors.

Waste London’s recycling strategy for London is built on four pillars: prevention, reuse, recycling and low-carbon logistics. Prevention reduces waste creation; reuse and repair extend product life; recycling recovers resources; and low-carbon logistics ensure the movement of materials is as climate-friendly as possible. These pillars guide investments in local facilities and partnerships with the voluntary sector.

Key initiatives include:

• Expanding borough-led food waste collections and anaerobic digestion partnerships;
• Strengthening reuse networks with charities for furniture, textiles and electronics;
• Upgrading transfer stations to improve sorting and lower haulage miles;
• Phasing in electric and hybrid collection vans to reduce fleet emissions.

The programme balances city-scale targets with neighbourhood realities. Where some boroughs use communal glass sites to reduce door-to-door service costs, others operate kerbside glass collection to maximise capture; where high-density areas favour underground or communal containers, leafier suburbs often benefit from kerbside caddies. Tailoring services while aligning to the common goal of a 65% recycling rate by 2030 is our operational philosophy.

Investment in local transfer stations also supports local economies by creating jobs in sorting and materials handling, and by keeping value in-region. When clean streams are collected and handled properly at transfer facilities, materials reach reprocessors with higher quality and greater market value. That makes recycling more economically viable and strengthens the circular economy across the capital.

We continually audit performance against targets and share best practice across boroughs. Innovations like separate food waste rounds, dedicated textiles collections, expanded WEEE take-back schemes and the introduction of low-emission vans into municipal fleets are rolled out based on measured success. This evidence-led approach helps increase recycling levels and reduce the carbon intensity of waste services.

Waste London’s commitment to recycling and sustainability is long-term: by investing in local infrastructure, building strong charity partnerships, supporting borough-specific separation systems and decarbonising transport with low-carbon vans, we aim to transform the city’s waste from problem to resource. Our work is practical, local and designed to deliver the measurable recycling percentage target while creating a fairer, greener London.