London throws £28m at waste projects

Community recycling schemes and waste-to-energy projects in the capital could soon receive a major boost after the London Waste and Recycling Board announced yesterday that it has earmarked £28m for investment in up to 20 flagship initiatives.

The board has already received up to 200 expressions of interest in the new funding and is now attempting to shortlist those proposals that can most effectively support mayor Boris Johnson's recently released waste strategy.

"We have identified a clutch of projects that we could support and help fund over the next 12 months," said London Assembly member James Cleverly.

"These innovative schemes will deliver the most 'bang for their buck', save councils and their residents money and make it easier for people to manage their waste."

Project most likely to secure funding are those that seek to tackle reduced recycling rates in communal properties such as flats, as well as proposals for new recycling plants and waste-to-energy facilities, such as the gasification plant being developed in Dagenham by renewable energy project developer Biossence.

Waste management has become a central component of Johnson's environmental strategy, and earlier this year he unveiled draft proposals designed to turn London into one of the world's first zero-waste-to-landfill cities by 2025.

As part of the strategy the Mayor's Office proposed targets to increase recycling rates to 60 per cent, and roll out a wide range of new waste-to-energy plants.