London boroughs receive next chunk of DEFRA 21 million

Eight London boroughs and waste disposal authorities received 5 million to enhance household recycling over the next two years.

The successful areas were Redbridge, Harrow, Hammersmith and Fulham, Greenwich, Hounslow, Ealing and the west London Waste Disposal Authority. They made their bids in the second of seven bidding rounds held by The London Recycling Fund. Richmond had already been awarded 588,000 in the first round.

Projects which can now go ahead include the construction of a major new MRF in Greenwich and the development of collection systems for garden and kitchen waste along with composting facilities in West London.

Reserved

It was announced in August that of the 140 DEFRA fund, 21.3 would be reserved for London. This was to be administered by partnership The London Recycling Fund, made up of the Greater London Authority, the Association of London Government (ALG) and public-private partnership London Waste Action.

Over the next two years, all London boroughs will be able to bid for the money secured by the Partnership to help develop schemes which will treble London's household recycling to meet Government targets by 2005. Applications must meet a series of key criteria assessing the impact, effectiveness, value for money and the involvement of their communities and other partners.

Exciting

Stephen O&#39B;rien, chair of London Waste Action, said: “The London Recycling Fund's programme board has assessed and recommended a range of exciting and ambitious projects. This money offers boroughs the chance to build a solid base for collecting and recycling people's waste. By also providing them with the expert knowledge and know-how, we can maximise a project's potential with the limited funds available.”

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: “Securing this money marks a victory for London government and it will make a real difference for recycling in the capital.”

The rest of the money allocated to London will be distributed to the boroughs by London Waste Action alongside professional advice to allow them to maximise the funds' potential. The funding from this programme is being provided through the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme.