Brent Council is set to review its household recycling arrangements, with a focus on potentially replacing blue recycling sacks with wheelie bins. The decision comes after a council meeting on Monday, July 6, 2026, where councillors debated and agreed on a motion aimed at improving the borough's recycling rates.
Brent's household recycling rate remains around 30%, well below the Mayor of London's ambition of 50% municipal recycling by 2030 and behind several Liberal Democrat-run councils, including Kingston, Sutton and Richmond, which consistently exceed 45%. Their performance shows that better collection systems, clearer communication and stronger resident engagement can deliver higher recycling rates.
The motion, brought forward by the Liberal Democrats, highlighted that Brent's recycling rate remains significantly lower than many other London boroughs, despite residents' willingness to recycle. Concerns were raised that the current blue sack system is not working effectively for all residents, citing issues with durability, litter, storage, and confusion over what can be recycled.
Councillor Krishna Chauhan, who proposed the motion, stated, Brent's recycling performance is not good enough and must improve.
The motion calls for an urgent, evidence-led review of alternative recycling arrangements, with a presumption in favour of replacing sacks with wheelie bins where they are causing problems or failing to improve recycling rates. It also advocates for options such as additional wheelie bins, segregated containers, and improved communal recycling facilities, particularly for flats and estates. The council committed to improving recycling in flats and estates, where participation remains lower than elsewhere.
Councillor Promise Knight, Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport & Public Realm, acknowledged the need for improvement and proposed an amendment that was accepted by the council. This amendment ensures that any changes will be guided by evidence, practicality, and value for money. We acknowledge that this is not a perfect science. That's why we're proposing the evidence-led review,
Councillor Knight stated. Bluesats allow for more flexibility. It is cost-effective. We also recognise that education is also key to targeted recycling improvements.
The council will conduct an evidence-led review
of alternative recycling arrangements. Any proposal to retain sacks in a particular area, housing type or circumstance must be backed by published evidence, including resident feedback, recycling performance, contamination, street cleanliness, accessibility, storage and value for money.
A blue sack costs around £5, including delivery, compared with £35 for a wheelie bin. The council's position is that The truth is that when Labour took control of this council in 2010, you took over a recycling rate that was 21%, having risen from 7% to 21%. We have wasted, wasted so many years. It's an increase of less than 1% per year in the recycling rate. That's appalling.
The council agreed to present the review and a new recycling strategy to the next Full Council meeting, which will include ambitious annual targets for household recycling with regular public reporting and clear accountability. The council committed to presenting a new recycling strategy to Full Council with ambitious annual targets and clear accountability.
The council will Set ambitious annual targets to increase household recycling, with regular public reporting and clear accountability.
The council will also Present the review and new recycling strategy to the next Full Council, including a timetable for a more effective, resident-friendly collection model.
The review will also consider targeted education and public awareness campaigns, working with schools, community groups, housing providers, and residents' associations to improve understanding and participation.
For more details on the council's discussions, refer to the Public reports pack.
