Last year, Tower Hamlets Council was named as the worst performing local authority in the country for recycling rates. Following investment in new facilities, targeted community engagement, and pilot projects designed to make recycling easier and more accessible for residents, the council is pleased to have recorded a significant improvement in its recycling rate.
Between July and September 2025, the borough’s recycling rate rose to 19.9%, an increase of 2.82 percentage points compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, contamination of recycling (when non-recyclable items are placed in recycling bins) fell to 23.36%, a reduction of 2.93 percentage points on the contamination level for Q1 2025/26.
In July, the contamination level dropped to 21.69%, the lowest rate achieved in many years, reflecting the impact of ongoing efforts to improve recycling facilities and raise awareness among residents.
The latest figures mark an encouraging step forward for Tower Hamlets, which last year was named the lowest performing local authority for recycling in England. The improvement shows that focused investment, education, and partnership working are beginning to deliver results.
The progress follows a series of measures introduced by the council, including:
- Upgrading recycling facilities across 1,950 blocks of flats with clear signage and greater recycling bin capacity.
- Piloting new initiatives, including separate cardboard collections, single-use recycling sack deliveries across four rounds, and a trial service for flats above shops.
- Community engagement through educational sessions in schools, workshops, and events held with mosques, faith groups, and community organisations – reaching more than 4,000 residents.
- The Five Estates Pilot Project, which is helping to embed best practice across all council-managed housing estates.
The council has also launched an integrated communications plan on recycling to maintain momentum and drive further improvements. The plan focuses on creative and targeted outreach, including digital content, printed materials in low-performing areas, media visits, and growing the Recycling Champions Network which now has 133 members.
Cllr Shafi Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Climate Emergency, said:
“These results are encouraging and show that our investment and engagement work is paying off. We’ve seen positive movement across the board, from cleaner, better-managed recycling facilities to enthusiastic participation by residents. But we know there’s still much more work to be done.
“Our next phase of work will tackle key challenges, including reducing contamination rates to below 20%, scaling up successful pilot projects across the borough, and holding all landlords accountable for maintaining proper waste and recycling arrangements.
“We’re also preparing for the boroughwide rollout of food waste collections by April 2027 which will also bring about an improvement in our recycling performance.”
Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said:
“A cleaner, greener borough is one of our top priorities, and I am pleased to see these improvements. I want to thank all of our residents who’ve stepped up their recycling efforts, especially those who have begun recycling for the very first time. We are improving our services and investing in education so that recycling becomes second nature to everyone who lives, works and studies in Tower Hamlets.”
For more information on how to recycle correctly, visit: www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/recycling
Posted on Wednesday 10th December 2025