Kerbside recycling in the London Borough of Havering: progress and priorities

As municipal waste continues to increase, English waste managers face decisions regarding the adoption of effective and sustainable waste strategies. Kerbside recycling is one essential component, for which evaluations of existing systems can provide useful guidance as to which type of scheme should be implemented. This study evaluates the performance of a co-mingled recycling service operating in an outer London Borough, considering the barriers to progress and opportunities for enhancement. Problems were found to relate to contamination, the supply of clear bags for recyclate, residual waste and misperception about the service. For the co-mingled system to improve it is suggested that promotion and education campaigns should aim specifically to reduce contamination, deliver a waste minimisation message, and dispel householders' beliefs that disposal to landfill is the fate of all co-mingled materials. A comparison between separate collection of clear bags and the current system would also enable a more robust evaluation of effectiveness.