Islington Council has formally adopted the North London Joint Waste Strategy (JWS), outlining a 15-year plan for managing waste in collaboration with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) and seven other boroughs. The decision was made at an Executive meeting on Thursday 25 September 2025.

The North London Joint Waste Strategy prioritizes waste reduction, increased recycling, and minimising the environmental impact of waste disposal. It also focuses on delivering collaborative, community-focused services that provide value for money and maximise social value. To track the success of these initiatives, the strategy will use key performance indicators (KPIs) such as:

  • Avoidable food waste: % of residual with a target of 50% reduction
  • Recyclable material in residual waste: % of residual with a target of 50% reduction
  • Total household waste per capita: Kg / person
  • Residual household waste per capita: Kg / person
  • Reused material: % of RRC waste reused with a target to Double % of material reused
  • Recycling rate: % of household waste by weight which is recycled, reused or composted with a target of 50%
  • Processing destinations: % within UK with a target of 100%
  • Carbon impact of waste streams: To be developed
  • Operational emissions
  • Use of landfill: % of waste sent to landfill with a target of 0%

The North London Joint Waste Strategy 2025-2040 FINAL May 2025 sets out aims and objectives for how the NLWA and the seven north London boroughs (including Islington, Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey and Waltham Forest) will manage waste. The strategy was developed over three years with extensive engagement with residents.

To further encourage active participation, the strategy prioritizes enabling communities to deliver change on the ground, providing prevention, repair and reuse opportunities, engaging and informing residents, encouraging behaviour change, developing and delivering an ambitious education programme and working in partnership with local organisations and others in the sector.

Solar panels and vegetation on a rooftop, possibly related to climate action or environmental initiatives.
Solar panels and vegetation on a rooftop, possibly related to climate action or environmental initiatives.Source: Executive papers, 25 September 2025

The priorities outlined in the strategy include:

  • Supporting the reduction in waste by promoting prevention, repair, and reuse.
  • Improving and maximising recycling.
  • Reducing the environmental impact of disposal where there is no option to prevent or reuse waste.
  • Delivering collaborative, community-focused services which provide value for money and maximise social value.

The Executive noted that the NLWA approved the JWS at its meeting on 19 June and delegated authority to the NLWA Managing Director to make minor changes to the Strategy following consultation with the NLWA Chair and Vice-Chairs. The full strategy can be found in the North London Joint Waste Strategy 2025-2040 FINAL May 2025.pdf.

The North London Joint Waste Strategy Executive.pdf report also highlights Islington's existing efforts to improve waste management, including:

  • Delivering reuse and repair events in partnership with local groups and businesses.
  • Investing over £2m in improving recycling facilities on estates.
  • Extending food waste recycling services to all households by April 2026.
  • Working with schools to educate children about waste reduction and recycling.
  • Collaborating with the NLWA on community engagement and communications campaigns.

The NLWA will be actively monitoring developments in technology and infrastructure which can be applied in north London. The strategy also mentions that the eight authorities will have an up-to-date strategy which will consider and set out how all eight partners will respond to legislative changes.