Brent Council is launching a food waste recycling trial for residents living in flats above shops. This trial is an important step in preparing for national changes to recycling rules and ensuring that all residents, no matter where they live, can recycle food waste easily and conveniently.
Why are we introducing this trial?
The Government’s Simpler Recycling reforms require every council in England to collect the same set of recyclable materials from all households, including flats. This includes the mandatory weekly collection of food waste from every dwelling, effective from March 2026.
The trial allows Brent to prepare for these requirements and identify the best approach for more complex property types, such as flats above shops.
Who will be included in the trial?
Three roads have been selected for this trial in three different Brent Connect Areas:
- Willesden High Road
- Salusbury Road
- Kingsbury High Road
Residents living in selected pilot areas will have access to dedicated on-street food waste bins, placed at convenient locations along your high street. These new bins are designed to make food recycling easy, accessible, and visible.
We will visit the flats above shops on these roads to hand-out:
- an indoor kitchen caddy
- a roll of free compostable liners
- clear guidance on how to use the service
This pilot will help Brent design an effective, long-term service for more than 6,000 FLASH properties across the borough.
Where will bins be located?
Food waste bins will be installed along Salusbury Road, Willesden High Road and Kingsbury High Road.
When will the trial start?
We will send letters to flats included in the trial from 9 February. We will also carry-out door-knocking and engage with businesses on the pilot roads.
The collection of food waste will start from week commencing Monday, 2 March.
How to take part?
Using the kitchen caddy or any container you might have at home:
- Collect food waste in your kitchen caddy.
- Tie the compostable liner.
- Place it in your nearest outdoor food waste bin.
You can recycle all cooked and uncooked food in the food waste bin, including:
- fruit and vegetable scraps
- meat, fish and bones
- bread, rice and pasta
- tea bags and coffee grounds
- dairy products.
Please do not put these items in the food waste bin:
- packaging
- liquids
- oil and fats
- non-food items
Your feedback matters
This is a pilot project, and your opinion will help shape the full borough-wide rollout. If you have any questions or feedback, please email us at recyclemore@brent.gov.uk
What happens next?
Following evaluation of the trial, Brent Council will prepare for a wider rollout of food waste collections for all flats above shops, in line with the national March 2026 requirement for mandatory food waste collections from all dwellings.
We will keep residents updated as the service expands.