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NLWA aims to reach 50% recycling rate

North London Waste Authority (NLWA)’s Joint Waste Strategy for the period 2025-2040 aims to achieve a 50% household recycling rate, amongst other goals.

While NLWA has confirmed that the strategy has already been approved by its members, the document is still going through an approval process with each of the authorities. This is expected to be completed by autumn 2025. 

Alongside others, the waste authority noted its goal of hitting a 50% recycling rate. Considering that, according to its annual report the NLWA achieved a recycling rate of 28.2% in 2024/25, this could be seen as a challenge. Some of the other targets included in the strategy are halving avoidable food waste and recyclable materials in residual waste. 

Additionally, it aims to double the proportion of materials reused at reuse and recycling centres and commits to reducing the environmental impact of disposal and sending zero waste to landfill.

2024/25 saw 48,874 tonnes of material captured at NLWA-managed reuse and recycling centres, with 74% of this said to be recycled, reused or composted. There are no figures solely for reuse.

Strategy development

NLWA said that, working with the seven north London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest, the strategy took three years to prepare. The preparation stage included two phases of resident engagement, beginning with an initial listening exercise that preceded a formal public consultation.

The authority noted that the targeted outreach matched north London’s demographics to ensure that all sections of the community were engaged in development of the strategy.

NLWA chair, Councillor 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.”

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