What happens to your waste and streets

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Your waste is taken to a facility at Jenkins Lane. Here the waste goes through a treatment process that: 

  • reduces the amount of waste 
  • removes any leftover recyclable materials 
  • turns some waste into fuel to generate energy 

This helps reduce landfill and make better use of waste. 

 

What you can recycle  

We can only collect materials that can be properly sorted and reused. 

See more information on what you can recycle online 

 

What happens to your recycling 

Recycling is collected in two parts: 

  • paper and card 
  • mixed recycling (plastics, glass, metals) 

After collection: 

  • paper and card are baled and sent for recycling 
  • mixed recycling is sorted at a facility using machines and manual checks 

Once sorted, materials are: 

  • cleaned 
  • melted or processed 
  • turned into new products 

 

Why some items can’t be recycled   

Not all materials can be recycled together. 

For example: 

  • different plastics melt at different temperatures 
  • some items (like toys) are made from mixed materials 

This is why only certain items go in your recycling box. 

Coffee cups cannot go in your home recycling because they contain a plastic lining. 

See more information on what you can recycle at Chigwell Road

 

Common recycling mistakes to avoid  

  • food left on items like a greasy pizza box 
  • items that aren’t accepted like plastic wrapping 

Contamination is when the wrong or dirty items are placed in recycling. 

In Redbridge, about 15% of recycling is contaminated. This can mean recyclable materials get rejected. 

You can help us by ensuring you: 

  • rinse items 
  • keep them clean and dry 
  • only include accepted materials 

 

Changes for recycling 

From 2027, we’ll introduce wheelie bins for recycling. 

This will: 

  • give you more space 
  • reduce litter 
  • make collections easier 

The government is introducing new recycling rules across England. 

These may: 

  • expand what you can recycle 
  • make companies pay more for packaging waste 
  • introduce schemes like deposits on drinks containers 

We’ll continue working to improve recycling and reduce waste. 

 

Street cleaning 

We sweep residential streets at least once every three weeks. This happens on a rolling schedule. We also litter pick all roads once a week, usually the day after your waste and recycling collection. 

Some areas are cleaned every day. This includes high roads, outside schools, and major shopping areas. 

If a road is private, we do not clean it. The developer or managing agent is responsible instead. 

Rapid response team 

We have a rapid response team for urgent issues. They deal with things that cannot wait. This includes cleaning up after accidents, removing fly-tipping, and clearing hazards on the street.

They also remove offensive graffiti and illegal posters, often within 24 hours. They fix damaged litter bins and carry out urgent cleaning jobs. They can also jet wash public areas to remove stains or bodily fluids. 

Roads we clean less often  

Some roads are cleaned less often. We are responsible for litter on parts of major roads managed by TfL within our borough. 

These roads include: 

  • Woodford Avenue (A1400)  
  • Eastern Avenue (A12) 
  • parts of the North Circular Road (A406) 

Some sections, such as certain roundabouts, are cleaned by neighbouring boroughs like Waltham Forest. We are not responsible for the part of the A406 known as the Barking Relief Road towards the A13. 

 

Fallen leaves

We clear fallen leaves from streets across Redbridge from October to January.

During heavy leaf fall, we may clear streets with the biggest build-up first. This means your usual street cleaning may happen later than expected.

How you can help

  • if you have a compost bin, you can collect fallen leaves from outside your home and compost them for use in your garden
  • please do not sweep leaves from your garden, driveway or pavement into the road. This will block drains and increase the risk of flooding
  • from 15 November 2026 to 10 January 2027, you can ask our street cleansing crews for clear bags to collect leaves from your property. Leave full bags at the boundary of your property for collection