Brent Council Set to Reassess Blue Recycling Sacks Amid Concerns Over Effectiveness in All Areas

A council in North London has acknowledged that its recycling performance is “not good enough and must improve,” announcing plans to reconsider the widespread use of unpopular blue recycling sacks. The opposition has accused the local administration of “wasting three years” and claims that the current scheme has dissuaded some residents from participating in recycling altogether.

Changes to Recycling Policies

In October 2023, Brent Council mandated that residents with blue-lidded bins separate their cardboard and paper from other recyclable materials such as glass, metal, and plastic, using new 90-litre blue sacks. However, this initiative has not resonated well with a significant portion of the community, leading to a petition gathering 3,500 signatures that called for its abolition due to concerns over the sacks’ quality and insufficient capacity.

After facing opposition from residents for the past three years, the council has conceded that the existing system “does not work equally everywhere” and has committed to conducting an evidence-based review. Recently elected Liberal Democrat Councillor Krishna Chauhan introduced a motion during a Full Council meeting on July 6, urging the Labour-led administration to “end the blanket reliance” on the blue sacks and to reinstate wheelie bins in areas where the sacks have become problematic, contributing to litter and discouraging recycling efforts.

Recycling Rates and Community Feedback

The motion highlighted that Brent continues to “lag behind” many other London boroughs in terms of household recycling, suggesting that the current system may not facilitate ease of recycling for residents. Presently, Brent’s household recycling rate hovers around 30 per cent, a figure Cllr Chauhan described as “much lower” than what is desirable. He advocated for a “simpler, more convenient” recycling scheme to help meet targets.

Fellow Liberal Democrat Councillor Paul Lorber remarked that the council has “wasted three years going nowhere,” with ongoing concerns raised about the system throughout this period. He noted, “There are numerous individuals who have informed me that, due to the blue bags and the inconvenience they present, they have ceased recycling altogether.”

Commitment to Improvement

Cllr Promise Knight, the Cabinet Member for Cleaner Streets, Transport and Public Realm, recognised that the current recycling rate is “not anywhere any of us would like it to be,” but expressed the council’s determination to enhance it. She stated, “We all want to see Brent recycle more, reduce waste, and make it easier for residents to do the right thing. […] The introduction of blue sacks has provided some genuine cost benefits—material quality has improved, contamination of paper and cardboard is now extremely low, and it has generated additional income for frontline services.”

In response to the ongoing challenges, the council has agreed to conduct an “evidence-led review” of the current recycling system to explore alternative strategies, including the potential reintroduction of wheelie bins, while retaining blue sacks where they are deemed to be the most effective solution. Given the diverse housing types in the borough, the council emphasised that “one model will not work everywhere.”

Tailoring Solutions for Different Communities

Cllr Fleur Donnelly-Jackson highlighted the specific needs of residents living in flats, who may lack the space for additional recycling bins. She expressed her support for the blue sack, stating, “I actually quite like the blue sack. […] It’s not heavy to manoeuvre, so if you’re someone with a disability, I think that’s a plus. [The model should be] bins where bins work, sacks where sacks work, and communal containers where they work.”

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