food waste recycling
Councils are currently focusing on improving food waste recycling services, boosting resident participation, and addressing the environmental impact of waste disposal methods.
In November 2026, Lewisham councillors raised concerns about the environmental impact of incineration, including carbon emissions and air pollution, as the council's contract with its incineration provider is due to expire in January 2029. Meanwhile, Camden's Cabinet backed improvements to food waste recycling in September 2026, including targeted communications and fox-proof caddies.
Bexley Council has been stepping up its food waste recycling efforts since July 2026, using engagement teams and communal bins to boost participation across the borough. Islington Council's Executive endorsed a report in June 2026 recommending improvements to address plateauing recycling rates, citing issues with bin capacity, infrastructure, and resident engagement.
These efforts align with the national Simpler Recycling legislation, which mandates food waste collection for all households by April 2026. Islington saw its household recycling rate reach 33.9% in the first half of the 2025/26 financial year, attributed to communications campaigns and the rollout of food waste recycling services.
Key facts
- Lewisham Council's contract with its incineration provider is due to expire on 1 January 2029. Source
- Camden's Cabinet backed improvements to food waste recycling on 8 September 2026. Source
- National Simpler Recycling legislation mandates food waste collection for all households by 1 April 2026. Source
- Bexley Council aims to increase overall recycling rates to 65% by 2030. Source
- Islington's household recycling rate reached 33.9% in the first half of the 2025/26 financial year. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 6 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.