A new re-use and repair site in partnership with Ealing council, West London Waste Authority is planned at Stirling Road, off Bollo lane. This will be the first of its kind in London, is coming to Acton in 2024. Having previously shut its Acton Re-use and Recycling Centre on Stirling Road, Ealing Council has announced it is to re-open it as a circular economy recycling centre with facilities to re-use and repair on site.
Bringing together inspiring organisations and charities, Ealing Council and West London Waste Authority are transforming the old waste and recycling site at Stirling Road into a circular economy space for residents and organisations to repair, reuse and recycle, items such as electronics, bicycles, furniture, clothes and lots more.
Residents will be able to donate or buy refurbished furniture, electronic goods and household appliances, as well as pick up food otherwise destined to go to waste. There will be opportunities for volunteering, work placements and apprenticeships, creating a healthier local economy.
Also planned are classes and community sessions and events that Acton and Ealing residents will learn skills to help live more sustainably, improve wellbeing and improve mental health.
What is the problem?
Waste is a huge issue and many communities, organisations, charities and businesses are coming up with solutions on how to reduce and reuse waste.
In West London over 350,000 tonnes of rubbish (that’s 8 trains a week each with 11 carriages) was thrown away last year plus around 300,000 tonnes of recycling. That’s a huge amount. West London Waste are really pleased that West London has a recycling rate of over 40% thanks to our residents. So there is room for us to reduce our waste further here in Acton and Ealing.
With this site in Acton, Ealing council is taking an innovative approach to waste, encouraging people to avoid it in the first place by re-using and repairing. It will allow changes at the Greenford waste and recycling centre which is already over capacity.
Councillor Deirdre Costigan, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate action, said: “We are really excited to be able to re-open the old Acton waste depot and to announce that Ealing will be home to the very first circular economy space of its kind in the capital!
“It is our ambition to become a net zero borough by 2030, which we cannot achieve on our own. We can all be part of a circular economy and this new initiative is just the start of the council’s ambitions.”
What is circular economy?
The circular economy is a system where materials and products are reused in a sustainable or environmentally friendly way, rather than being wasted by ending up either in landfill or incinerated. These circular economy systems can be involved in maintenance, refurbishment, recycling, reuse or composting.
A circular economy space could:
- Reduce waste and encourage fixing and re-using old items that would otherwise go to landfill
- Create job opportunities and apprenticeships while promoting local businesses
- Inspire positive environmental change through sustainable practices
- Improve people’s mental health through free classes and workshops
- Help people on a limited budget, by providing access to repair services and surplus food, as well as educating them on food growing, recycling and reusing
Can your organisation help?
If you are a community organisation that can help residents reduce their waste or perhaps repair, reuse and recycle their belongings, fill in a short online form on Waste London Waste’s website.