Bexley Council urges residents to boost food waste recycling

May 29, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Bexley Council is encouraging residents to increase their food waste recycling efforts through a new campaign involving stickers on general rubbish bins. The initiative, which will see council bin crews applying stickers with the message "food’s not rubbish so let’s recycle it!" over the next couple of months, aims to remind households that food waste should be placed in their free food recycling boxes rather than general waste bins.

Boosting Recycling Rates

The council highlights that food waste collected through the free weekly service is transformed into green energy for local homes. For instance, recycling approximately six teabags can generate enough energy to boil water for another cup of tea. This campaign follows other recent efforts to enhance food recycling, including the extension of the free weekly service to flats above commercial properties.

Recent figures from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) indicate that Bexley is performing well in overall recycling. However, approximately 30% of the waste currently disposed of in general rubbish bins consists of food waste that could be recycled. Councillor Rags Sandhu, Bexley Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, stated that the council thanks residents for their efforts in increasing recycling over the past year, noting that Bexley's recycling rates have improved faster than many neighbouring London boroughs. This improvement is considered a positive outcome for the environment.

Residents can order a free kitchen food waste recycling caddy and food waste box, and find information on what can be recycled, via the council's website. Accepted items include all cooked and uncooked foods, such as bones, fish skins, tea bags, and coffee grounds. A local student, Bella, has also shared a guide on how to recycle food waste effectively.

Financial and Environmental Benefits

The food waste sticker campaign is also intended to help reduce the council's recycling costs, as processing food waste is more economical and energy-efficient than disposing of general rubbish. The council is seeking feedback on how it can further assist residents in recycling more food waste.

Author

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

From Town Hall decisions to resident-led reports, the South London News On Your Doorstep Desk offers comprehensive coverage of the issues that matter to your street. Our editorial staff provide critical updates on local planning, council services, and neighbourhood initiatives, ensuring our readers never miss a change to their local area.

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