Lewisham Council acknowledgespoor recycling rate

CONTACT: Sue Luxton 07932 013 187 or Darren Johnson 07779 093 165

Councillors of all parties acknowledged that Lewisham’s recycling performance was not good enough when it voted unanimously for a Green Party motion at Wednesday's full council meeting. The motion expressed "deep concern" at the borough’s recycling rate – the third lowest in London.

Moving the motion, Green councillor for Ladywell, Sue Luxton, said, "Lewisham’s recycling rate, at around 12%, is well below that of most other boroughs and a fraction of the 50% that is being achieved elsewhere in Europe. We have lots to do over the next few years to get our recycling rate up there with the best."

The full text of the motion after the Greens accepted an amendment from Labour was as follows:

"This Council expresses deep concern about the borough's recycling and composting rate for 2005/06 which was 11.98%, well below the 18% target set for 05/06 and well below best practice achieved by other authorities. The council welcomes the service improvements which have resulted in a borough-wide kerbside collection of 5 materials but calls on Mayor and Cabinet to redouble their efforts to improve Lewisham's recycling and composting rate and, as a matter of urgency, bring forward detailed plans on how current and future targets will be achieved."

The motion was carried unanimously.