Recycling trial

We are running a recycling trial which will see temporary changes to the way recycling is collected at around 5,000 properties in Brent.

The trial will test the effectiveness of spliting recycling into to two separate bins, one with paper and carboard and one with containers (milk jugs, jars, tins etc.). This is on a small scale, so we can better understand the potential impacts it may have on residents, recycling rates and waste contamination.

The trial takes place over an eight week period between Monday, 3 October and Friday, 25 November as part of a trial of the proposed alternate weekly recycling service that the council recently consulted on.

Properties taking part in the trial have been sent a letter with all of the relevant information. These properties will be given a reusable, weatherproof blue sack to separate their paper and card into. The current blue-lidded recycling bin is to continue to be used for containers like plastic, tins and glass.

The paper and card sack will be collected on an alternate week to the usual recycling bin. For example:

• week 1 – we collect your paper and card sack
• week 2 – we collect your recycling bin.

Councillor Krupa Sheth, cabinet member for the environment said: "I would like to thank all the residents that are taking part in the trial. This will help us to better understand how we can improve recycling rates and if this has a positive impact for the environment.

Why are we carrying out this trial in Brent?

In March 2023, the current waste collections contract that Brent Council operates will come to an end. We are taking this opportunity to review and consider changes to the recycling collections service you receive, and the system being trialled in your area is the Council’s preferred choice of service for the new contract. This is for several reasons:

1. Changes to national policy resulting from the Environment Act 2021 will probably require us to make changes to the way we provide recycling services in Brent.
2. This trial aims to improve the quality and quantity of recycling from households. From the recent borough-wide Let’s Talk Climate conversation, residents told us they want to do their bit to live more sustainably and help Brent become carbon neutral by 2030. Managing our waste differently will help us to achieve this.
3. The new system being tested will help the council to save money while delivering an improved recycling collection system, as we continue to recover financially from the impact of the pandemic, rising prices, a growing population and a reduction in the funding the Council gets from the government.

Residents that have not received a letter from the council about the consultation are not taking part in the trial and will not receive a blue sack.

Please read our FAQ document if you have more questions about the trail.