Bexley Food Waste Recycling Up 29%

September 15, 2026

South London News On Your Doorstep Desk Edited By Jimmy Nsubuga

Bexley residents have increased their food waste recycling by 29% in July 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year. This rise coincides with a significant increase in Food Box orders, which grew from an average of 550 per month to 3,348 in June 2026 and 1,737 in July 2026.

The surge in recycling figures follows the implementation of several new initiatives by Bexley Council, designed to encourage greater participation in the borough's free weekly food waste recycling service. These efforts include the placement of ‘food’s not rubbish so let’s recycle it’ stickers on general rubbish bins as a reminder to residents, and the extension of the free weekly food waste recycling service to all flats within Bexley. Simpler Recycling Officers have been actively engaging with residents across the borough, offering free food recycling boxes and distributing free food caddies in local supermarkets.

Councillor Rags Sandhu, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, highlighted that Bexley has been a pioneer in food waste recycling services since 2004 and has continued this leadership by extending the service to residents living in flats. Currently, the council reports that 99.7% of flats and flats above shops in the borough now have access to the free weekly food recycling service.

Contextualising Bexley's Recycling Performance

While specific London-wide average figures for food waste recycling are not readily available, London's overall recycling rate stood at 33% in 2025, with a target of 50% by 2026. In contrast, Bexley has demonstrated a strong performance, achieving a recycling rate of over 40% as of March 2025.

The initiatives undertaken by Bexley Council to enhance food waste recycling are supported through its operational budgets. The council first introduced its free weekly food waste recycling service for households in 2004. More recently, a significant expansion of this service to include flats, including those situated above commercial premises, was undertaken in late 2025.

While specific ward-level councillors are not detailed in relation to these initiatives, Councillor Rags Sandhu serves as the Cabinet Member for Environment, Culture and Leisure, and Councillor Richard Diment is the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, both playing roles in the council's environmental services.

Ongoing Engagement and Future Outlook

The 'food’s not rubbish so let’s recycle it’ campaign, alongside the distribution of free food caddies and boxes, forms part of the council's continuous efforts to promote greater participation in food waste recycling. Residents are also encouraged to engage with the Bexley Green Points programme, which offers rewards for recycling activities. These local efforts align with broader London-wide objectives to reduce food waste and improve overall recycling rates.

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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