Estates Recycling Programme

To increase recycling rates, reduce fire risks and improve the look of our estates, we’re investing in better waste and recycling facilities in estates across the borough.

New changes we’re making

The changes we are introducing include:

closing bin chutes
new recycling facilities
smarter bins stores

When introduced so far, we have seen big increases in the amount of waste that’s recycled instead of incinerated. This includes the Milton Gardens Estate in Stoke Newington where recycling levels doubled from 9% to 18 % within a year.

Why we’re making changes

it’s cleaner – the new storage areas have been designed to improve the look of estates and neatly hide away communal bins, rather than causing an eyesore
it’s greener – removing bin chutes where recyclable items can’t be separated from regular waste means recycling is even easier – meaning estate residents can do their bit to help recycle more and tackle the climate emergency
it’s safer – bin chutes can regularly become blocked and cause a fire hazard – closing them will reduce this risk for residents

Where we’ve made changes

Over the past four years, we have implemented recycling initiatives across 17 estates, installing 97 new bin stores. This has resulted in a:

2.5% increase in recycling rates
7.2% reduction in waste tonnage

The project has been carried out over five phases, with Phases 4 and 5 making the biggest impact on the number of bin stores installed across Hackney estates.

In Phase 4 (spring/summer 2020), we installed 57 bin stores across seven estates:

Broadway House
Gascoyne Estate
Portland Rise
Hill Court
Pitfield Estate
Burma Court
St. Mary’s Estate

In Phase 5 (winter/spring 2023 to 2024), we installed 40 bin stores across eight estates:

Kingsgate
Regents Court
Provost
Lordship North
Queen Elizabeth Close
Frampton Park
St John’s Court
Rowley Gardens

We are currently in the monitoring stage of Phase 5 and will update this page with the new recycling rates and waste tonnages in due course.

What’s happening next

We have started Phase 6 of the project and are now selecting estates for waste and recycling facility improvements.

Have your say

With more than 200 council estates, we can’t introduce these changes everywhere at once.

We’re looking at which areas can benefit the most from these changes. Have your say on where we should look at removing bin chutes and adding better waste and recycling facilities.

Have your say