The joint strategy covers eight boroughs and includes a recycling target of 50%, reports Grace Howarth, Local Democracy Reporter

Enfield Council has joined forces with seven other local authorities on a new strategy aiming to reduce waste.

The North London Joint Waste Strategy 2025-2040 was formally adopted this week and sets targets for all eight North London boroughs.

The new plan aims to see avoidable food waste and the amount of recyclable material in residential waste reduced by 50% before 2040.

Residual waste is waste left after recyclable material is separated. It can be costly to further separate and can still contain plastics, paper, and food.

The strategy states every household should have a 50% recycling rate, with half of household waste by weight being recycled, reused or composted. It will mean almost doubling the percentage of reused material in North London.

Zero waste will be sent to landfill, the strategy states, as it will be handled instead by the incinerator in Edmonton.

Last night (Wednesday 15th) the council’s cabinet approved the borough’s participation alongside the other six councils; Barnet, Camden, Haringey, Hackney, Islington, and Waltham Forest.

A report showed in 2023/24 Enfield had the highest percentage of household waste sent for recycling, reuse or composting out of the seven boroughs, with 33%, although this remains well below the national average of 44%.

Speaking at the meeting, council leader Ergin Erbil said: “The strategy ensures that residents will have access to better, more consistent waste and recycling services including expanded food waste collections and improved reuse facilities.”

He praised the new public recycling facility at Edmonton Eco Park, which opened last summer. A new incinerator is also being built there.

The council leader said the recycling facility was “loved by residents” and “working wonders” to help the area hit targets.

Deputy leader Tim Leaver asked how residents had shaped the strategy.

In response, Cllr Erbil said: “Over 5,000 people took part in two phases of engagement and their feedback directly influenced the final version [of the strategy]. Better recycling access was a common theme and education campaigns

“As you know we’ve taken that feedback and we’ve been door knocking with our waste support team and we’ve now got a dedicated recycling officer to make sure we’re increasing recycling rates.”

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