Bexley is continuing to lead the way in recycling as the Council successfully delivers the Government’s Simpler Recycling requirements ahead of the national deadline.
By 31 March 2026, all councils in England must implement Simpler Recycling, a national initiative designed to make recycling easier and more consistent. The reforms ensure that all households can recycle the same core materials: plastic, metal, glass, paper, card and food waste.
In Bexley, most residents have been able to recycle these materials including food from their kerbside for over 20 years. The Borough already provides comprehensive collections for dry recycling materials, including plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, glass bottles and jars, metal packaging such as cans and tins, as well as paper and card.
The biggest change under Simpler Recycling has been the expansion of weekly food waste collections to flats and flats above shops that previously did not have access to the service.
The rollout is now nearly complete, with:
- 99.7% of all properties in Bexley receiving a food waste collection
- 99.2% of flats in blocks now included
- 95.79% of flats above shops now receiving the service
Each household is provided with a free food waste caddy, liners and clear information on how to recycle correctly.
Cllr Richard Diment, Bexley’s Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
Bexley’s successful delivery of the Simpler Recycling initiative demonstrates our Council’s continued commitment to improving the lives of our residents.
I am delighted by the success of its rollout and the expansion of our weekly food waste collections to our residents living in flats and flats above shops who previously did not have access to this service.
This is another step towards making Bexley even better.”
Bexley’s current recycling rate is around 46%, but it is estimated that up to 80% of household waste could be recycled if all recyclable materials were placed in the correct bins.
This includes:
- Food waste that can be recycled weekly in your brown food waste box
- Paper and cardboard in your blue lidded wheeled bin
- Plastic packaging such as bottles, pots, tubs and trays in your white lidded wheeled bin
- Glass bottles and jars in your white lidded wheeled bin
- Metal items like cans, tins and foil in your white lidded wheeled bin
- Cartons in your white lidded wheeled bin
Recycling these materials helps reduce landfill, cut carbon emissions and generate renewable energy. For example, food waste collected in Bexley is used to produce energy and fertiliser.
Residents are encouraged to check what they can recycle and ensure they are using all the services available to them. Those who need containers can request them online.
- Find out what you can recycle
- What goes in each recycling container
- Learn more about food waste recycling
No amount of recycling is too small – every item recycled makes a difference.