Brighton and Hove reaches highest ever recycling rate
The city has achieved a 31.6% recycling rate, marking a significant 7.2 percentage point increase thanks to new council initiatives.
A milestone for the city
Brighton and Hove residents can celebrate a major environmental achievement as the city records its highest ever recycling rate. New data shows the city has reached 31.6% recycling between January and March 2026, representing a significant 7.2 percentage point increase.
This positive milestone reflects a determined effort by Brighton and Hove City Council to tackle what had been a long-standing challenge. The improvements come after the Labour council, which took charge in 2023, introduced a series of meaningful changes to make recycling easier and more effective for residents.
Making recycling easier
A key part of the success has been the introduction of new bins for food and drink cartons and electrical items. Equally important has been the expansion of the types of plastics accepted in both kerbside and communal collections, changes that came into effect in 2025.
The council also introduced weekly food waste collections beginning in September last year, which have proven remarkably successful. These collections are already making a real difference, with almost 500 tons of food waste being collected every month.
These changes have been accompanied by a welcome decrease in 'residual waste' – the general refuse sent to the energy recovery facility in Newhaven – showing that residents are actively engaging with the new recycling options.
Looking to the future
Councillor Tim Rowkins, deputy leader and cabinet member for net zero and environmental services, expressed his determination to continue this progress. "Sorting out our recycling was one of the main reasons I decided to stand for election," he said.
Rowkins highlighted the frustration many residents felt that Brighton and Hove, a progressive city with a history of environmental consciousness, was lagging behind in recycling rates. "We'd all been told that it wasn't possible due to a historical waste contract, but having read the contract myself, I knew that was not the case," he explained.
The council's ambitions don't stop here. Future plans include adding even more materials to the collections available to residents and launching a campaign to reduce contamination in recycling.
A reversal of the trend
For Councillor Rowkins, the new data represents a turning point. "This new data finally shows the reversal of the downward trend and makes us even more determined to continue making more improvements," he stated.
The achievement is a testament to both the council's commitment to environmental improvement and residents' willingness to engage with new recycling systems. As the city looks ahead, there's genuine optimism that Brighton and Hove can continue to improve its recycling performance and set an example for other communities.