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North London Waste Authority agrees 50% recycling target – after failing to hit 30% last year

NLWA’s household recycling rate for 2024/25 was just 28.2%, well below the London and national averages of 33% and 44% respectively

Recycling items at Biffa's Edmonton facility
Recycling items at Biffa’s Edmonton facility

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) has agreed a new waste strategy which it says will help move the region “towards a low waste, sustainable future”.

The new joint waste strategy sets “ambitious environmental goals” to reduce waste and increase recycling and covers the period up to 2040. It includes targets such as halving avoidable food waste and recyclable materials in residual waste, doubling the proportion of materials reused at reuse and recycling centres, and achieving a 50% household recycling rate.

NLWA’s recycling rate for 2024/25 was just 28.2%, however, well below the London and national averages of 33% and 44% respectively.

The authority’s annual report for last year warned that in the short term recent “stagnating recycling rates” were “a trend that is likely to continue as legislative changes, such as the deposit return scheme, take recyclable materials out of local authority managed waste and producers move to lighter materials”.

NWLA is responsible for co-ordinating waste disposal in North London on behalf of Enfield, Barnet, Haringey, Waltham Forest, Islington and Hackney councils.

It has attracted controversy in recent years for its decision to build new, larger incinerator at Edmonton Eco Park, which is now under construction.

NLWA chair Clyde Loakes MBE said: “We’re delighted to have reached this crucial milestone, gaining endorsement from north London residents directly and through their elected representatives in the seven north London boroughs. 

“A huge amount of work went into producing the North London Joint Waste Strategy, and we’re excited to get on with the task of delivering it, building on all the great work we’ve already been doing – growing our education and behaviour change programmes; supporting communities to deliver change on the ground; making it easier to recycle, including tricky things like mattresses and carpets, and making our sites as accessible as possible. 

“We’d like to extend our thanks to all the residents who took time to share feedback and ideas, helping ensure that this strategy serves the needs of residents today and for generations to come.” 

The new strategy was developed over a three-year period and included two phases of resident engagement; an initial listening exercise that gathered the views of 2,100 residents, and a formal public consultation that engaged over 3,000 residents.

Each of the seven North London boroughs will also seek approval of the strategy through their own democratic processes, with Barnet Council becoming the first to do so last week.


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