Rubbish and recycling in London: can the capital improve its systems?

A Veolia recycling plant in Southwark processes about 100,000 tonnes a year for five boroughs while London's municipal recycling rate has remained around 33% for more than a decade; new national Simpler Recycling rules come into force from April.

Inside a large Veolia recycling centre in Southwark, conveyor belts and machines sort cans, cardboard and other items around the clock. Workers and automated systems separate materials, but some items – described by staff as "wish" recycling – cannot be processed. London produces around seven million tonnes of waste a year and the mayor has set targets aimed at increasing recycling, but progress has been uneven across boroughs. Key facts: - The Veolia site in Southwark processes about 100,000 tonnes of recycling a year and operates 24 hours a day, five days a week. - Staff report regular contamination of recycling bins with non-recyclable items and hazardous materials such as batteries. - Veolia reports about one battery-related fire a day and says lithium battery fires are difficult to extinguish. - London produces roughly seven million tonnes of waste annually from homes, public buildings and businesses. - London's overall recycling rate has been stalled at about 33% for more than a decade; borough results vary widely (Bromley 50.9% in 2023–24; Tower Hamlets 15.8% in the same year). - New government rules called Simpler Recycling are due to start in April, aiming to standardise which materials go into basic bins for glass, metals and plastics, paper and cardboard, and food waste. Summary: The city’s recycling system currently shows large differences between boroughs and ongoing operational challenges at sorting centres, including contamination and battery-related fires. Simpler Recycling legislation starting in April is intended to standardise collection and labelling across areas, and the mayor has set a 65% municipal recycling target for 2030, but achieving that will require coordination across many local authorities.