Islington's Environment, Climate and Transport Scrutiny Committee has reviewed the performance of the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), focusing on household recycling and waste reduction efforts. The committee received an annual update from the NLWA and discussed draft recommendations for a scrutiny review aimed at improving these services.
The NLWA, responsible for waste disposal for seven north London boroughs including Islington, presented its activities over the past year. A key focus of the discussion was the Do Your Bit, Recycle It
campaign, a long-term, behaviour-change initiative grounded in behavioural science and informed by research. The campaign's three main objectives were to improve clarity about what can be recycled, build resident confidence in the recycling service, and motivate residents to recycle. Measurable outcomes have included increases in participation and food waste tonnage in areas receiving enhanced engagement, with some indications of reduced residual waste. The campaign has also driven significant traffic to redesigned web content through paid social media advertising.
Discussions also delved into barriers residents face in recycling. These include a lack of information, insufficient bin capacity and accessibility on estates, hygiene concerns, and uncertainty about what can be recycled. Residents noted that the bins on Upper Street now for recycling are quite small
and that they could fill that completely
before going to larger communal bins on an estate. In response, potential recommendations are expected to address improvements in recycling infrastructure on estates, clearer signage, increased bin capacity, and consistent provision of food waste recycling facilities. The report also mentions that capacity keeping capacity under review is going to be important.
Concerns were also raised about the aesthetic of food waste facilities, with suggestions for some planting around them or something to make them more beautiful.
The rollout of food waste collections for flats above shops will be available for all residents in such properties, with a commitment to make any commitment about planting around the bins.
The effectiveness of the Recycling Champions scheme was also considered, though it was noted to have limited active engagement.
Officers explained that successful volunteer champion models in other boroughs are typically resource-intensive.
Furthermore, reuse and repair initiatives
were likely to be considered as part of the scrutiny review. Islington has received National awards for Active Travel, circular economy (reuse and repair),
and reuse and repair events
have been part of further engagement activity. However, a resident expressed that we have to have physical spaces for the circular economy and we are repair things and part of Islington fixes it's very very hard with no base.
The committee also reviewed its work plan for the upcoming year, outlining future topics and reviews. The meeting highlighted the ongoing efforts to promote waste prevention, sustainable resource management, and minimise environmental impacts, particularly concerning climate change, through resident and business engagement. The full details of the discussions and recommendations can be found in the Public reports pack and the ECT review recommendations.
