The West London Waste Authority met on Tuesday 18 March 2025 to discuss food recycling projects, waste composition analysis, procurement plans, financial updates, and the authority's business plan. Key decisions included approving the 2025-26 Business Plan, noting the need for significant investment in communal waste services, and approving an extension to the Dry Recyclables contract.

Food Recycling Projects Update

The Authority received a closure report on its 2020 investment of £3 million in borough business cases aimed at increasing food waste collection and diversion. The projects were deemed successful, achieving an £11.8 million saving over five years through reduced food waste in residual bins. The report highlighted that while household coverage for food waste collection has expanded, food waste remains the most prominent material in residual waste. To meet future requirements, particularly for Simpler Recycling legislation, a collective investment of approximately £4 million by boroughs is needed by March 2026. The Authority approved a request for all boroughs to provide funding business cases for food waste expansion.

Autumn 2024 Waste Composition Analysis

A report detailing the Autumn 2024 Waste Composition Analysis, conducted by Integrated Skills Ltd, was presented. The analysis revealed that residual waste composition had changed only slightly over the past year and remained consistent over the previous four years. Food waste continues to be the largest component of residual waste, accounting for approximately 38% in kerbside collections and 29% in communal properties. The report highlighted the challenges in waste collection from communal properties, with education and communication identified as key to increasing recycling uptake. It was noted that infrastructure investment is also required, and that upcoming legislation will hold landlords more accountable for waste disposal. The Authority noted the need for approximately £13 million in focused investment for communal services to provide for e-waste, textiles, flexible plastics, and absorbent hygiene products.

Annual Procurement Plan

The Authority's Annual Procurement Plan for 2025-2028 was presented and approved. The plan outlines upcoming procurements, including those for mattress recycling, excess residual waste processing, and HRRC and Transfer Station services. A key decision was the approval of an eight-month extension to the Dry Recyclables contract, bringing the total extension to 12 months. This extension, requested by the London Borough of Ealing to complete modelling work related to the Government's Simpler Recycling scheme, will allow more time for boroughs to engage with the new procurement process.

Finance Update

An update on financial and operational matters up to January 2025, along with the year-end forecast, was provided. The Authority reported a projected surplus of £3.2 million for the financial year, an increase from previous forecasts. Key financial points included a forecasted overspend in PAYT levies due to residual waste growth, an increase in the landfill charge, and savings in contractor rates and other waste streams. The Authority approved the carrying forward of unspent HRRC funding and programme budget for use in 2025/26. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were reviewed, with four identified as red, relating to diversion from landfill, overall tonnages, staff turnover, and vacancy rates. The Treasury Management Plan for 2025/26 was also approved.

WLWA 2025-26 Business Plan

The West London Waste Authority's 2025-26 Business Plan and strategic priorities were presented and approved. The plan outlines five strategic priorities for the upcoming year, focusing on organisational excellence, re-use, data-driven efficiency, expanding access to services (particularly for food waste, e-waste, and textiles), and improving citizen perception of waste. The plan aims to address rising costs associated with waste growth and the Emissions Trading Scheme by reducing waste and increasing recycling rates. Meetings with Borough Finance and Environment Directors are scheduled to kick-start a route map to a low waste future.