- Defra has commissioned ReLondon to deliver ‘FlexFlats’ – a new pilot project exploring the most effective and efficient ways for local authorities to collect flexible plastic packaging from flats with communal recycling collections.
- The pilot will help local authorities meet the requirement under Simpler Recycling legislation to collect flexible plastic packaging from every household from April 2027 onwards, by turning its findings into a practical toolkit designed to set them up for success.
ReLondon
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has commissioned ReLondon to deliver ‘FlexFlats’, a new pilot project exploring the most effective and efficient ways for local authorities to introduce a flexible plastic packaging collection for flats with a communal recycling collection service, as required under Simpler Recycling legislation.
ReLondon will partner with London boroughs to deliver a series of pilots that will:
- Test scalable models for the separation and collection of flexible plastics from flats
- Gather resident insights and behavioural responses to different approaches
- Find out how different models affect the volume of good quality material that is collected
- Assess operational and cost implications for local authorities
- Provide clear recommendations on the most efficient and effective collection methodologies for communal settings.
Why FlexFlats?
Whether high-rise or low-rise, flats with communal collections present recycling challenges both to residents and to council collection teams, with flats accounting for up to 80% of housing stock in some London boroughs1 – which is only set to keep rising2.
FlexFlats has been commissioned in recognition of the additional insight and support that local authorities in cities and larger towns across the country may need in order to implement the Government’s new plastic packaging collection requirements effectively. Simpler Recycling legislation means that all local authorities in England have to be ready by 31 March 2027 to collect plastic bags and wrapping for recycling from every type of household – a challenge for high density urban areas like London and other cities where so many people live in blocks of flats.
Plastic bags and wrapping in flats
ReLondon estimates that around 6%3 of London’s residual waste collected from flats is plastic films and flexibles, while the average weight of plastic film collected from a London household each year is 33.3kg – the equivalent of nearly 5,000 carrier bags.
Introducing flexible plastics collections for flats in London could see 50,000 tonnes of plastic film diverted from waste streams and recycled instead – a win for the environment as well as for local authorities facing potentially high costs for incinerating plastic packaging under the proposed extension of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme4.
A spokesperson from Defra: “Simpler Recycling is making it easier for people to recycle wherever they live, but we know that there are some types of housing – like flats – where it can be harder for local authorities to provide an effective service to residents. Flexible plastic packaging is the next big challenge under the legislation, and this is why we’re pleased to be working with ReLondon whose deep knowledge of densely populated urban areas and expertise in recycling from flats will help us explore – and then share – creative ways of helping people recycle their plastic bags and similar types of packaging.”
Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy and ReLondon Chair, Mete Coban: “I am pleased to be working with Defra to pilot the most effective ways of collecting flexible plastics from flats, as we continue taking steps to develop a robust and replicable approach to collecting this material, which has such a major impact on our environment. The Government’s wide-ranging collection and packaging reforms rolled out over the past few years have helped standardise services across England and lead to increased participation and higher recycling rates. We will continue working with Government, boroughs and partners to tackle recycling challenges – such as flats, where it can be harder for local authorities to provide an effective service to residents - with innovation and insight, working towards a greener London for everyone.”
ReLondon will work with London boroughs and the wider industry to ensure that the pilot includes a broad range of housing and service contexts, including high-rise and low-rise blocks, a mix of private rented and social housing, and a range of urban and suburban locations. This will ensure that findings are transferable and nationally relevant.
81% of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets’ housing stock is purpose-built flats - 2021 UK Census data
ReLondon analysis of Greater London Authority’s housing-led population projections overlayed with data from the London Planning Data Hub shows that 90% of housing growth in London will be purpose-built flats.
ReLondon report: Estimates of London household waste composition
The UK Emissions Trading Scheme is proposed to be expanded to include emissions from waste incineration and energy-from-waste facilities. Under current proposals, full compliance obligations would take effect in 2028, subject to final implementation decisions by the UK Government.
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