Assembly to probe into London's recycling rates
Special investigation to examine large variance in recycling rates across the capital
27 Jul 2010
Gareth Bacon, London Assembly member, will lead a special investigation on behalf of the London Assembly's environment committee to examine what can be done to help improve recycling rates across the capital.
The review will look at how waste is managed, at existing financial drivers and how the attitudes of local people influence how much gets recycled.
According to the London Assembly, recycling and composting of municipal waste in the capital has improved significantly over the last decade, but the overall figure masks a large variance in rates across the 33 boroughs. Current figures are reported to show a difference of 35% between the lowest and highest recycling rates achieved, and only four boroughs achieved recycling rates above the national average.
According to Defra's Local Authority National Indicators for Waste 2008/09, the top four boroughs are Bexley, Harrow, Greenwich and Richmond upon Thames.
A scoping report produced by the London Assembly stated that while recycling and composting of municipal waste in the capital has improved significantly over the last decade, increasing from eight per cent in 2000/01 to 29% in 2008/09, the increase falls far short of the national average of 37%, and according to the report, leaves London as the “worst performing region in England and a poor comparator internationally”.
Just over half of London boroughs (18) are reported to have achieved recycling levels between 20-30%, thirteen over 30%, four over 40% and one over 50%. Two boroughs (Newham and Tower Hamlets) achieved less than 20%, that is, less than the national minimum performance standard set for local authorities in April 2007.
According to the mayor's office, these figures are not in line with the goals set within his draft strategy. The latter sets objectives for recycling and composting performance of 45% by 2015, 50% by 2020 and 60% by 2031. These targets are in line with national targets set by government in its 2007 strategy, namely to recycle and compost at least 40% of household waste by 2010, 45% by 2015, and 50% by 2020.
Bacon said: “It is important that we look for practical ways to improve rates across the capital by finding out what works and what does not.”
The scoping report also stated that available research indicates that there is no single variable or characteristic that can explain in full the variation in recycling rates across London boroughs.
However, it went on to say that there are a number of identified factors that clearly impact on recycling performance. In particular socio-demographic make-up appears to have a strong influence.
However, factors such as the type of materials collected, the system used, container types and capacity, communications, and composition of housing stock also have a strong influence.
This review will feed into the committee's work on the mayor's municipal waste management strategy and a full report of the findings will be published early next year.