Expansion of items you can recycle in Redbridge from Monday 27 September

Residents will soon be able to recycle more after Redbridge Council announced the expansion of items being accepted for recycling in the borough.

The news that residents can include three new types of item as part of their weekly recycling collection comes ahead of Recycle Week, which runs from 20-26 September.

From Monday 27 September residents will be able to include the following in their green/black recycling box, along with their existing plastic bottles, tins, cans and glass: 

• Plastic Pots, Tubs and Trays (e.g. yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, meat /ready meal trays and fruit/veg punnets - but no black plastic as it cannot be recycled).
• Empty aerosol cans
• Clean aluminium foil and foil trays

Following resident feedback and as part of its Waste Reduction Strategy, the council has been working closely with the East London Waste Authority (ELWA) – its waste disposal contractors - to get more items included in the list of recyclables they accept from Redbridge.  

Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride, Cllr Jo Blackman, said: “Our residents can now include even more items for recycling which would have otherwise gone into normal household waste.

“The expansion of our recyclable items is another important step towards driving down waste to create a cleaner and greener borough.

“Redbridge’s waste reduction strategy is seeing the council take the lead in reducing waste across the borough, from new initiatives including the introduction of wheelie bins and a drive to eliminate single use items from council buildings, to educational workshops and resources to help every household and business reduce, recycle and re-use.

“But it takes everyone working together to make a difference, so I encourage every household to increase the amount they recycle in line with the new changes.”    

Redbridge resident Mythili Mahendran, from Ilford, said: “I’ve been recycling for as long as I can remember! Looking after the environment and reducing the amount of waste we produce is a collective effort.

“Other than recycling, the most effective action you can take is stopping the use of single-use plastic wherever you can. It’s important we all have open and honest conversations with each other about what we can do collectively to tackle green issues. We all have a part to play and working together we are stronger!”

Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: “From 27 September, residents in Redbridge will be able to recycle more items than ever before as part of our Waste Reduction Strategy.

“Waste is a significant source of carbon emissions and I am thrilled that we are providing more opportunities for Redbridge residents to recycle, and in doing so cut non-recyclable waste and boost the amount of waste that is recycled and given a new lease of life as a new item”

As part of Recycle Week the council is hosting a FREE online educational workshop and roadshows to help residents become recycling pros, get tips on going green, and learn what should and shouldn’t go in your recycling box.

FREE online workshop - Recycle like a pro

Tuesday 21 September: 12:30 – 13:00 BST

Register for the event on: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/recycle-like-a-pro-tickets-168614946845?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

Roadshows - Meet our Neighbourhood Team and find out how to go green

• Wednesday 22 September: Ken Aston Square, Barkingside. 10am – 4pm
• Thursday 23 September: Outside Sainsbury’s Winston Way, Ilford. 10am – 4pm

For more info on reducing waste and recycling visit: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/

Here are some tips and important things to remember when recycling:

• Always rinse out any food waste. Food contaminates - making your recyclables, unrecyclable
• Stacking or carefully packing plastic pots, tubs and trays will allow you to fit more into your recycling boxes
• Rinse and scrunch up any foil for recycling
• Black plastic can’t be recycled so please don’t put it in your recycling box.

Ever wondered what happens to the items in your recycling box? Check out our new info packed web page for everything recycling, including where it ends up: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/our-streets/getting-technical-about-recycling/

Discover the full list of what can be recycled on: https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/bins-waste-and-recycling/recycling-collection/

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