Labour Councillors have scored a victory after Council plans have been announced to introduce three pilot scheme across the City giving residents the opportunity to recycle food waste.

Westminster Council is one of the few London boroughs that does not currently have a food waste recycling scheme available to residents. For years, environmentalists have been arguing that Council leaders should introduce a food waste disposal scheme, but their demands have fallen on deaf ears.

Earlier this year, Labour Councillor Pancho Lewis pressed Councillor Tim Mitchell – Westminster’s Environment Cabinet Member – to introduce a food waste recycling pilot. Councillor Mitchell initially opposed Councillor Lewis’ proposal but now appears willing to introduce a pilot.

Westminster Labour also committed to exploring the introduction of food waste recycling in its 2018 local government manifesto. The manifesto set out that: “Labour…will explore opportunities where appropriate to support community composting and the recycling of food waste.”

Recycling food waste is both environmentally and fiscally responsible. Food waste is a massive contributor to GHG emissions. If food waste were a country, it would be the third largest carbon emitter after the US and China. In addition, using food waste to generate energy can save local authorities money. At a time of shrinking budgets, it is financially prudent to separate food from other types of waste.

The details of the pilot are expected to be published soon. Labour will monitor these developments closely and continue to press the Council to make the City greener.