Recycling and Sustainability: Our Local Commitment
Recycling and sustainability are central to how our community plans for the future. This page outlines our practical targets, local facilities, and the partnerships that help turn good intentions into measurable action. We set a clear recycling percentage target for the coming five years and publish progress annually so neighbours can see how sustainable recycling efforts are delivering results in everyday life. Our approach balances household waste separation schemes with support for reuse and repair initiatives so that the borough reduces residual waste while growing the circular economy.
We have established a recycling percentage target of 65% diversion of household and small-business waste from landfill by 2029. That target covers recycling, composting, and reuse streams combined. To reach it we are scaling up kerbside sorting for paper, card, mixed plastics and glass, expanding food waste collection to more streets, and promoting textile banks and bulky waste reuse. The borough-level waste separation model encourages residents to sort at source, and local pilot schemes test new bin configurations and clear labeling so people can recycle more easily.
Local transfer stations and practical infrastructure
Local transfer stations are a critical part of the network: they act as hubs where collected materials are sorted, consolidated and sent on to recyclers or anaerobic digestion plants. We operate a network of small transfer stations and drop-off points that reduce lorry miles and improve turnaround times for collected recyclable materials. These local hubs are complemented by community-run drop-off days for small electricals, textiles and household chemicals, ensuring hazardous items are processed safely and don’t enter the residual waste stream.Partnerships with charities and reuse organisations
We work closely with local charities, social enterprises and community groups to increase reuse and reduce waste. Partnerships are focused on diverting furniture, household goods and clothing away from landfill and into social reuse chains. Charity partners receive items in good condition which are then resold or redistributed to people in need, supporting both sustainability and social value. These collaborations are central to our sustainability and recycling strategy and help demonstrate that environmental goals can deliver local economic benefits.To formalize these relationships we maintain memoranda of understanding with several organisations. Key activities include:
- Regular bulk collection days where reusable furniture is collected and delivered to charity warehouses;
- Textile and shoe collection points installed across neighbourhoods to increase clothing reuse;
- Partnership programmes that upcycle materials and provide training and employment opportunities.
Low-carbon vans are being rolled out across our collection fleet to reduce emissions and improve air quality. We have started deploying electric and hybrid vehicles for short-range collection rounds and plan to convert the majority of light vehicles to low-emission alternatives by 2027. These low-carbon vans support the borough’s wider climate goals and reduce the environmental footprint of operational logistics while maintaining reliable recycling collections.
Our waste separation approach varies slightly by neighbourhood to reflect housing types and local needs. In denser, terraced areas we prioritise communal recycling points with clear signage and monitored access to reduce contamination. In suburban streets we focus on kerbside sort systems that separate paper, mixed packaging, glass, and food waste. Across the borough we encourage residents to rinse containers and flatten card to improve the quality of the recyclable stream and increase the rate of material recovery at downstream sorting facilities.
In addition to regular collections, we support targeted campaigns to increase participation in specific recycling activities relevant to our area, such as:
- Household battery and small electrical collection drives;
- Seasonal campaigns for garden and food waste to boost composting;
- Repair cafés and swap events that reduce the need to recycle by keeping items in use longer.
Monitoring and reporting are essential to meeting and exceeding our recycling percentage target. We track tonnages by material stream, contamination rates at the sorting stage, and the efficiency of transfer station processing. Data-driven decisions inform investments in additional transfer capacity, community outreach, and the phased introduction of more low-emission collection vehicles. Transparency in reporting helps us refine the local recycling programme and ensures public confidence in the performance of the system.
How residents can help achieve sustainability goals
Everyone has a part to play in achieving our shared sustainability and recycling targets. Simple actions — sorting recyclables correctly, participating in food waste collections, and using local transfer stations and charity partners — multiply across the community. By choosing reuse options, donating items to partner charities, and supporting low-carbon logistics through responsible disposal, residents help reduce emissions and increase material recovery.Looking ahead
Our plan is ambitious but practical: hit the 65% diversion target while steadily improving service quality and cutting transport emissions through low-carbon vans. We will continue to expand partnerships with local charities and invest in transfer station capacity to keep operations efficient and responsive. The long-term vision is a resilient circular system at the borough level where waste is minimised, materials are reused or recycled, and environmental benefits are integrated with social value.Collectively, by integrating better waste separation, supporting reuse partners and modernising our fleet, we can achieve meaningful progress in recycling and sustainability that benefits everyone in the community.
