The Environment, Climate Change and Transport Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the findings of the Scrutiny Review on Waste Reduction and Household Recycling, hearing evidence on recycling data and performance, service structure and resourcing, and collection services and methods including food waste. The committee also discussed the 2025-6 Committee Work Plan, agreeing to highlight that Lyman Forest Bike will be attending the next committee.

Scrutiny Review on Waste Reduction and Household Recycling

The committee received a presentation from Matthew Homer, Head of Waste Strategy and Circular Economy, and Spencer Reynolds, Head of the Business Improvement and Performance Service within Environment, on the Scrutiny Review on Waste Reduction and Household Recycling.

Key discussion points included:

• Data and Performance: Spencer Reynolds explained the process of data collection, from local collection to reporting to DEFRA. He noted that an intensive review of data had led to an increase in the recycling rate due to co-collection methods.
• Contamination: Matthew Homer reported that approximately 19% of collected recycling is separated out as non-recyclable, an increase seen across North London. This is due to a national increase in contamination and more robust monitoring at the Materials Recycling Facility (MIRF).[^1] [^1]: A Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) is a specialised plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for sale to end-user manufacturers.
• Food Waste: Food waste was identified as the single biggest recyclable waste stream in residual waste, with significant potential for capture. The council is working to expand food waste collection services to flats above shops, supported by government funding, to meet the requirement for local authorities to implement food waste collection services for all households by next April.
• Service Innovations: Islington is trialling new technologies, such as cameras on recycling vehicles using AI to identify contamination, and redesigning bins to improve accessibility and prevent blockages.
• Resource Pressures: Demographic growth in Islington has increased by 9.5% since 2015, placing a strain on existing resources.
• Disposal Costs: Recycling more, and especially reducing waste, can lead to significant cost savings for the council. For every tonne of household waste recycled, the council saves approximately £53, and for every tonne of food waste composted, the saving is around £120. Avoiding waste altogether saves £140 per tonne.
• Zero Waste Strategy: The council is exploring the potential of a zero waste strategy, which could save the council around £3 million.
• Timeline: A new set of recycling proposals is expected to be in place by next summer.

Questions and Discussion

• Mildmay Community Centre: Councillor Tricia Clarke highlighted the work of Poppy from the North London Waste Authority at a plant nursery, who is working on a joint project with Mildmay Community Centre using hot bins to quickly turn food waste into compost. Councillor Clarke suggested that the committee visit the plant nursery to see the composting work, and Matthew Homer confirmed that the project had received funding from the North London Community Fund.
• Data Processing: Councillor James Potts asked about speeding up the data process using AI to free up officer time. Spencer Reynolds responded that AI is being explored, but the human element is still required to ensure accuracy.
• Contamination: Councillor Potts enquired about contamination from unwashed items. Matthew Homer explained that most contamination is non-recyclable items, but some is due to food left inside packaging. He noted that while residents are encouraged to remove food, recycling should be kept easy and convenient.
• Textile Recycling: Councillor Potts asked why Enfield had communal textile bins and Islington did not. Matthew Homer clarified that Islington has 34 public textile recycling banks and is exploring a door-to-door collection service with TRAID.
• Waste Composition: Councillor Clare Jeapes asked about the composition of the 70% of waste that is not recycled. Matthew Homer confirmed that all residual waste goes to the energy from waste facility at Edmonton, with zero waste to landfill. He referred to a waste composition analysis by the North London Waste Authority, which showed that a good proportion of bin waste is recyclable as food waste or mixed dry recycling.
• Soft Plastics: Councillor Champion noted that soft plastics could be recycled, but there is no market for them. She also raised concerns about the government's plan to collect soft plastics from March 2027 without a clear plan for recycling them.
• Volume vs Weight: Councillor Jeapes raised concerns that recycling data is based on weight, which does not accurately reflect the volume of plastic waste. Matthew Homer acknowledged that food waste is heavier than flexible plastics, but waste is measured by weight because plastics can be compressed.
• Paper and Cardboard Trends: Councillor Caroline Russell noted a decrease in the weight of paper and card collected and suggested this was due to changing consumer behaviour. She also noted that recycling crews have observed an increase in the amount of cardboard being left out.
• Collection Methods: Councillor Champion suggested that collection methods may need to be reviewed if soft plastics are introduced, as light plastics can be blown around more easily.
• Temporary Contracts: Councillor Russell asked about the risk of losing staff on temporary contracts funded by DEFRA. Wayne Stevenson, Corporate Director of Environment and Climate Change, responded that business cases can be made for specific initiatives to increase recycling and reduce costs.
• Roadshow: Councillor Gallagher supported the idea of a roadshow to promote recycling and reuse.
• Vehicle Cameras: Councillor Gallagher asked about the reliability of data from vehicle cameras. Spencer Reynolds explained that the system is still in development and not yet proven.
• Recycling Consumables: Councillor Gallagher asked about making it easier for residents to obtain recycling consumables. Matthew Homer noted that an on-demand service for clear recycling sacks is available for flats above shops, and stock management in libraries has improved.
• Recycling Leaflet: Councillor Clarke commented on the recycling leaflet, noting some confusion about hard plastics. She also asked what happens to plastic film taken to supermarkets. Matthew Homer clarified that household plastic packaging is recycled, but flexible plastics taken to supermarkets may not always be recycled due to a lack of reprocessing capacity.
• Paper and Card Processing: Councillor Potts asked about the destination of paper and cardboard, noting that 93% is processed in the EU and the UK. Matthew Homer explained that the North London Waste Authority manages waste streams and prioritises transparency about end markets.
• Future Trends: Councillor Potts asked about anticipated trends in waste and recycling. Matthew Homer responded that trends are primarily driven by legislative changes such as extended producer responsibility[^2] and the deposit return scheme[^3]. [^2]: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental policy approach in which a producer's responsibility for a product is extended to the post-consumer stage of a product's life cycle. [^3]: A deposit return scheme (DRS) is a system where a small deposit is added to the price of a beverage container at the point of sale, and refunded to the consumer when the empty container is returned to a collection point.
• Deposit Return Scheme: Councillor Russell asked for more information about the national deposit return scheme. Matthew Homer explained that producers will label packaging in scope, and consumers will receive a deposit back when they return the items.
• Schools Data: A member of the public, Lachlan, asked about data for schools and areas for improvement. Matthew Homer responded that the council has a schools recycling education officer who audits schools and runs educational programs. He noted that primary schools tend to have better programs than secondary schools.

2025-6 Committee Work Plan

The committee agreed to highlight that Lyman Forest Bike will be attending the next committee.