Joint Pilot by Defra and ReLondon: Flexible Plastic Packaging Collection in London Flats

Commissioned by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), ReLondon has launched a new pilot project named ‘FlexFlats’. The initiative aims to explore the most effective methods for collecting flexible plastic packaging from flats with communal waste collections. Under the new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation, the separate collection of these materials must be available to all households from 2027. The findings of the London pilot will help lay the groundwork for a nationally applicable, practical toolkit.

Background and Objectives of the ‘FlexFlats’ Project

According to the official announcement, Defra has commissioned ReLondon to conduct practical pilots in partnership with London boroughs. The primary goal of the project is to test a scalable and replicable model that facilitates the separation and collection of flexible plastics from flats.

During the pilot phase, professionals will examine several key areas:

• Testing scalable models for the separation and collection of flexible plastics from flats.

• Gathering resident insights and behavioral responses regarding different approaches.

• Measuring how different models affect the volume of good quality material collected.

• Assessing the operational and cost implications for local authorities.

• Providing clear, practical recommendations on the most efficient communal collection methodologies.

Why is Waste Collection from Flats a Major Challenge?

Collecting flexible plastics in both high-rise and low-rise flats poses a significant logistical challenge for both residents and local authority collection teams. The scale of the issue is illustrated by the fact that in some London boroughs, flats account for up to 80% of the housing stock. The 2021 UK Census data highlights that, for example, 81% of the housing stock in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets consists of purpose-built flats.

Future trends show no sign of changing: based on an analysis of the Greater London Authority’s demographic projections and the London Planning Data Hub, 90% of future housing growth in London will continue to be purpose-built flats. The ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation dictates that by 31 March 2027, local authorities in England must be ready to collect plastic bags and wrapping for recycling from all household types. In densely populated urban environments, this represents a massive operational challenge.

Quantitative Data: Tonnage and Costs

Based on ReLondon’s estimates regarding London’s household waste composition, plastic films and flexible materials make up approximately 6% of the residual waste collected from flats. An average London household throws away about 33.3 kilograms of plastic film annually, which is roughly equivalent to the weight of 5,000 traditional plastic carrier bags.

If the separate collection of flexible plastics is successfully introduced in flats, approximately 50,000 tonnes of plastic film could be diverted from waste streams and incinerators in London each year to be recycled instead. This is not only a massive environmental win but also a financial relief for local authorities. Under the proposed extension of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme—which is expected to impose full compliance obligations on waste incinerators and energy-from-waste facilities starting in 2028—local councils could face potentially high costs for incinerating plastic packaging.

Professional and Policymaker Reactions

A Defra spokesperson emphasized that while the new ‘Simpler Recycling’ legislation makes recycling easier, they acknowledge that local authorities face greater difficulties in providing an effective service to residents living in flats. Flexible plastic packaging represents the next major hurdle, which is why ReLondon was chosen as a partner; their deep expertise in recycling within densely populated urban areas is essential for exploring and sharing creative ways to help people recycle.

Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy and ReLondon Chair, added that he is pleased to collaborate with Defra in developing a robust and replicable approach to collecting this material, which has such a massive impact on the environment. He highlighted that the government’s reforms rolled out over the past few years have helped standardize services across England, leading to increased participation and higher recycling rates.

The Scope of the Pilot

To ensure that the findings are reliable and nationally relevant, ReLondon will work with London boroughs and the wider industry to include a broad range of housing and service contexts. The study will involve high-rise and low-rise blocks, a mix of private rented and social housing, as well as a range of urban and suburban locations, ensuring that the resulting guidelines will be widely transferable across the country.

Reference to the original official source:

The original government press release launching the project can be read on ReLondon’s official (.gov.uk) website: FlexFlats – Defra commissions ReLondon to trial flexible plastic packaging collections from flats