We ask all residents in the black box scheme to recycle as part of a Compulsory Recycling Scheme.
What do I have to recycle?
You must recycle all paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, food and drink cans, plastic bottles, textiles, shoes, batteries and engine oil. These items must be placed in the black boxes provided to every household. Residents must not place these materials in the residual waste bin.
What has to go in the black box?' reminder card (109Kb PDF document)
Why Compulsory Recycling?
The Government has set ambitious targets for how much local councils have to recycle. We have to reach 50% by 2012. If we don’t meet the target, the Council will receive heavy fines that will impact on your council tax bills.
We know with the support of our residents, and the hard work of our contractor Verdant, we can do this.
Recycling is important for Waltham Forest, and is an easy way that everyone can help to make the borough greener and cleaner. We work hard with residents to make sure they understand the compulsory recycling scheme and to help them recycle.
If residents persistently fail to recycle, as a last resort they could be fined up to £1,000.
The compulsory recycling scheme will not initially apply to high-rise blocks of flats with shared residual waste facilities, but the Council is currently considering options to include these properties.
Fact
Our homes in Waltham Forest currently produce nearly 100,000 tonnes of residual waste every year - around 60% of this could be recycled.
If you would like more stickers to go on your black boxes, you can collect them from WFD shops in the borough.
Frequently asked questions about compulsory recycling
- What is compulsory recycling?
- Why is the Council introducing compulsory recycling?
- Does compulsory recycling apply to all residents?
- What items do I have to recycle?
- Are you introducing fortnightly residual waste collection as part of compulsory recycling?
- Will you be changing the recycling collection days?
- How can I find out when my recycling collection day is?
- How will compulsory recycling be enforced?
- What happens if I am away and don't put any recycling out?
- Is compulsory recycling legal?
- Can I use other recycling facilities instead of my black box?
For further information please contact:
Public Realm
Environment and Regeneration
Low
Hall
Argall Avenue
London E10 7AS
Tel 020 8496 3000
Fax 020
8521 3577
Email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk
