Resource Use

LWARB reports Flats Recycling Programme ‘success’

An external report conducted by LRS Consultancy into LWARB’s Flats Recycling Programme has found that the scheme has provided new or improved recycling services to 522,718 London households.

As a result, it is estimated that in the next four years of the scheme, an extra 60,236tonnes of materials may be recycled. This would entail an average increase in recycling of 28.81 kilograms per household within the catchment area and a reduction of 40,147 tonnes of carbon dioxideequivalent.

The report also found that the funded schemes cost 36 per cent less than anticipated, resulting in a saving of £800,000. This resulted from joint procurement of equipment managed by LWARB and ‘additional efficiencies’ made by boroughs. The savings from the programme have been reinvested into other LWARB borough services.

Richard Tracey, Chair of LWARB said: “The Flats Recycling Programme has been a success. The programme has enabled London Boroughs to introduce new collection schemes and improve existing services whilst positively contributing to the recycling rate in the capital.”

Trial and Error Process

The £4.2 million Flats Recycling Programme , supported by £348,308 of Recycle for London funding and over £1,500,000 of internal funding from the boroughs involved, was set up to help London achieve the Mayor’s Municipal Waste Management Strategy, which states 
that flat recycling rates will need to reach 40 per cent by 2031, to help London achieve an overall recycling and composting rate of 60 per cent.

The scheme aims to overcome common barriers to recycling practices in high-rise properties and flats by providing householders with reusable bags, improving signage, introducing food waste bring banks and ‘improving’ dry recycling services. A total of 26 boroughs have been targeted under the scheme, which incorporate 29 new projects.

The report includes the best practice elements from each scheme type and can be used by local authorities throughout London, the UK and further afield to assist them in rolling out flats recycling schemes.

It is suggested that the most successful projects were aided by ‘strong pre-project planning’, good monitoring of programmes and the development of ‘effective working partnerships’.

Read the LWARB Flats Recycling Programme report.