 Welcome to your latest climate action newsletter, I'm sure everyone reading will notice we have a theme for September! It's our new food waste recycling service, which is launching this month. Residents have now started to get their new food waste caddies delivered to their doors. If you live in the south of the borough, you'll be receiving yours from this week (2 September). Households in the north of the borough will be getting theirs from 23 September.
We've packed this newsletter with heaps of information about this new weekly collection service, so read on for full details about when to expect your new caddies and all you need to know about our new collections.
Elsewhere there are so many events and activities taking place in September that can help you get involved in tackling the climate crisis. From the return of Dr Bike and our next Reuse and Repair Fair, to a fantastic Community Day and green career opportunities, it's all happening in Waltham Forest.
Many thanks,
Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Climate and Air Quality.
 From this month, we our new food waste collection service is being ramped up. By March next year, this will be a weekly service for ALL households in the borough. Rollout of our new service differs depending on what type of property you live in and your postcode.
Information about when you will receive your caddy and when collections will start is outlined below.
Households in South: E7, E10, E11, E15, some parts of E17
Caddies delivered to properties from 2 September, service to begin week beginning 23 September. Wards include: Cann Hall, Cathall, Forest, Grove Green, Lea Bridge, Leyton, Leytonstone, Markhouse, St James.
Households in North: E4, some parts of E17, IG8
Caddies delivered to properties from 23 September, service to begin collecting week beginning 14 October. Wards include: Chingford Green, Endlebury, Hale End and Highams Park South, Hatch Lane and Highams Park North. If you live in the following wards, your collection day will vary depending on your road: Chapel End, Higham Hill, High Street, Hoe Street, Larkswood, Upper Walthamstow, Valley, William Morris, Wood Street.
If you live in a ward where delivery of caddies is split over two time periods, you can email the Council with your street name and we'll let you know your date.
 Our new food waste collection service is is launching in the next few weeks. It will help you cut down on household waste and save money too. Below is a bit more information about why we are making these changes to our services.
Why are we doing this?
By March 2026, all councils must collect food waste separately from residential properties. It is also part of our Mission Waltham Forest commitments to become a net-zero borough. Approximately 26 per cent of the waste in the average household bin is food waste, which generates harmful greenhouse gas emissions. This new separate collection will be taken for anaerobic digestion – a process which creates biogas (a renewable energy source) and fertiliser to be used on farmlands.
When will the food waste be collected?
The food waste will be collected every week on the same day that the refuse and recycling two-wheeled bins are collected but by a different collection crew. If you live in a kerbside property, present your outdoor food waste caddy by the front boundary of your property as you do with your other bins. If your bin has not been collected, please report this via our website.
Don't worry if you see the operatives emptying your caddy into a wheelie bin, as they will still tip the contents into the food waste truck at the end of the road.
What do I do with my garden waste?
For those living in a kerbside property, you can continue using your two-wheeled brown bin for garden waste, which will be taken for composting. This will continue to be collected fortnightly. Please don’t put food waste in the two-wheeled brown bin, and don’t put your garden waste in the food waste caddy.
 Everyone will receive an indoor caddy, which we would recommend placing somewhere convenient like your kitchen counter or under your sink. You will also receive a roll of 52 caddy bags. Use these to line your indoor caddy.
ALL food waste can go in here. That includes uneaten or unwanted food waste, such as meat and fish bones, vegetable peelings, eggshells, out-of-date food and any other type of food. You can also put coffee grounds and teabags in this caddy.
Do not put liquid, food or drink packaging, flowers, garden waste or tissues in the caddy.
When full, take the indoor caddy to your outdoor bin. This is either an outdoor caddy (kerbside properties) or a communal food waste bin (communal properties). These will be collected by our crews weekly.
Line your indoor caddy with another caddy bag and you’re ready to go. We’ll be back in six months to give you another roll of caddy bags.
 Congratulations to Adelaide Homer, who is the deserved winner of our food waste truck naming competition. The nine-year-old, who goes to Barclays Primary School, took the crown with her suggestion ‘The Very Hungry Caddy-Filler', which won the public vote against second-placed ‘So-Fish-Ticated'.
In total, there will be 13 new trucks, decorated in five different designs: watermelon, pizza, fish bones, carrot and banana. The first two of these trucks (‘The Very Hungry Caddy-Filler' and ‘Melonator’) hit your streets earlier this month. These trucks will all be out soon, collecting your food waste on a weekly basis.
 Did you know that swapping, giving or selling pre-loved school uniforms rather than buying new can save families hundreds of pounds a year?
Not only can it be a great cost-saver for parents, it's great for the planet too, as extending the lifespan of clothes by just three months could reduce your carbon, water, and waste footprint by up to 10 per cent.
That's why we are encouraging schools and parents to take part in formal or informal pre- loved school uniform exchanges, second-hand swaps and sales.
Check out the North London Waste Authority's School Uniform Exchange in the link below for some useful information about how to get involved.
 Later this month it’ll be time for Tour de Waltham Forest! This year it takes place on Sunday 22 September, World Car Free Day, and will start and finish in Fellowship Square.
You can book on to cycle routes of either 9, 16 or 20km – please note some of these are getting full so do book now to avoid disappointment.
On the day we’ll have activities and stalls in Fellowship Square, including Dr Bike, smoothie bikes and Scalextric. There will be food and drink for sale or you’re welcome to bring your own picnic to make a day of it.
 One of our borough missions is to tackle the climate emergency head on. With housing in Waltham Forest accounting for more than half of local carbon emissions, energy efficient new-build properties only offer part of the solution.
Reducing carbon emissions from existing homes through retrofitting is vital in driving down the borough’s carbon footprint. Since 2012 we have installed solar panels on council properties. Solar panels capture energy from sunlight to make electricity, which can be used to run household appliances and lighting.
Benefits include:
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Cost savings for residents: solar energy typically reduces residents’ electricity bills by up to a third, though savings will vary depending on roof size, orientation and usage.
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Reduced carbon emissions: solar energy is renewable and has a much lower carbon footprint than other forms of energy.
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Energy security: every unit of electricity generated by the panels replaces a unit of electricity from the grid. More local solar helps our overall energy system become more secure.
 Climate action is about taking positive steps to cut carbon emissions and safeguard our planet's future, but the actions we take together can also help local people and communities.
For example, we've saved 30,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide through our work to improve energy efficiency of homes in the borough. But this action has also secured benefits for residents too, including:
- £1million in energy bills saved for local people over five years with our winter support programme
- 1,300 council homes fitted with Solar paneling
- Investment for energy efficiency in council homes
- £250,000 worth of 0% interest loans secured for local people to improve energy efficiency in their homes
Click below to find out about Mission Waltham Forest, our ambitious plan to improve life for residents and tackle the climate crisis.
 We have new Dr Bike dates available across Waltham Forest. If your cycle needs a check up, bring it along and the Dr Bike mechanics will take a look and make adjustments for free.
Saturday 7 September, 10am to 4pm: Walthamstow Town Square Gardens
Thursday 12 September, 12pm to 4pm: Jane Atkinson Health and Wellbeing
Saturday 14 September, 11am to 4pm: Albert Crescent, Chingford Mount
Monday 16 September, 4pm to 7pm: Shernhall Street/Greville Road
Tuesday 17 September, 4pm to 7pm: Church Lane, E11
Wednesday 18 September, 4pm to 7pm: Baker's Arms
Thursday 19 September, 4pm to 7pm: Blackhorse Road Tube Station
Friday 20 September, 4pm to 7pm: Chingford Green Park
Saturday 21 September, 10am to 4pm: Leyton Jubilee Park
Sunday 22 September, 9am to 4pm: Fellowship Square
More dates and locations are being added to the Cycle Confident website, so do check back for further information.
 Are you a business working in or around our borough?
Did you know you can have your items delivered with zero emissions, courtesy of our bike-based couriers ZED? The friendly team of couriers use electric bikes to get around and as well as being speedy, they’re helping the climate by lowering emissions. In 2023, ZED delivered over 80,000 parcels by bike, saving approximately 112.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
You’d be amazed at what it’s possible to deliver on an e-bike, from clothing parcels to pallets of wood. It's great value for money and super speedy too!
 Did you know that green construction is a major growth area?
On Wednesday 18 September we’re holding a free Green Construction Jobsfest at LASC in Leytonstone aimed at anyone who’s interested in finding out more about green construction and speaking directly to employers. You can come along and explore potential career opportunities, gain insight from experts and learn about the latest advancements in green construction.
 We're celebrating the community of Waltham Forest at the iconic Fellowship Square for a free day of family fun on Sunday 15 September.
What's more, it will be packed with activities and events perfect for people who want to learn about repairing and reusing textiles, which is a great way to cut down on waste and help the planet. This includes beginner's sewing, an introduction to darning and Sashiko Mending - a beautiful and practical Japanese mending technique.
All necessary tools and materials will be provided, including fabric samples for practice. This workshop is suitable for adults and children aged seven and up, although children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times.
You'll also be able to put the 'art' into 'spare parts' with the Geek Cafe's recycling workshop, which is focusing on creating art form old computers.
 The Green Careers Showcase is an amazing opportunity for young people from the borough aged 16 to 25 to find out about pathways to green jobs and career options in the sector.
It's run by Walthamstow Wetlands in collaboration with the Council's Culture team. It takes place on Thursday 19 September, 3.30pm to 7pm.
On the day, there will be:
- Inspirational talks from young leaders in nature conservation
- Meet the Employer marketplace where young people can meet employers, training providers and other green partner organisations
- Career skills workshops with practical advice and support on topics including CV writing and interview skills
- Practical, hands-on workshops on skills including meadow management, wetland management and guiding wildlife walks.
 More than 300 people and 16 local organisations attended our last Reuse and Repair Fair in July, and we are doing it all over again this month!
Pop along to Handsworth Primary School, Highams Park, on Sunday 29 September (12 to 4pm). There will be support from local community groups on reuse, repair, repurposing and upcycling for all manner of everyday items.
You’ll be able to book household electricals for repair, bring your bike for maintenance and get confident with DIY tools. There will also be a free give-and-take, electrics repair café, reclaimed paint on offer and the return of our popular sewing machine and maintenance workshop.
Booking is required for some activities and please support our give-and-take by bringing toys and household items that you think someone else could find useful.
 If you live in Chingford and the north of the borough, don't forget that Edmonton EcoPark is ideally located for easily recycling larger household items.
In fact, you can bring up to 27 types of household material and waste to be recycled, from wood and scrap metal, to bedding, carpets, old computers and much, much more. It's located off the Cooks Ferry Roundabout from the A406 and is open seven days a week 8am to 8pm.
The flagship recycling facilities are part of our ongoing commitment to support recycling and the circular economy, in partnership with the North London Waste Authority.
 You can make a real difference to a Waltham Forest school in just one term!
Climate Ambassadors is a two-year project, funded by the Department for Education as part of its Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy. The role of a Climate Ambassador is to provide dedicated support to an educational setting to develop and deliver an impactful climate action plan.
The UCL Climate Action Hub is providing training and a step-by-step process for volunteers to work through with a school of their choice so it is perfect for local parents and people with links to a school.
 The All Ability Cycling Club is running from Leyton Jubilee Park only at the moment. It runs on Saturdays from 10am to 12pm on below dates located at the Marsh Lane entrance to the Park, E10 7BL.
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