Communal Recycling Innovation Challenge 2026

West London Waste Authority is seeking interested suppliers for early market engagement for Communal Recycling Innovation.

Communal Recycling Innovation Challenge 2026

Can your organisation help transform recycling in communal housing?

West London Waste Authority (WLWA), working in partnership with its six constituent boroughs (Brent, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Ealing and Richmond), is seeking innovative solutions to improve the capture and segregation of recycling and food waste in communal properties.

Recycling performance in communal properties consistently lags behind kerbside collections. Improving participation, reducing contamination and increasing food waste capture remains one of the sector's greatest challenges.

We recognise that there is no single solution to this challenge. We are therefore inviting organisations from across the public and private sectors to bring forward fresh innovative ideas that could make a measurable difference.

We welcome proposals from organisations including:

• Waste and recycling companies
• Technology and AI providers
• Behavioural science and communications specialists
• Housing and property technology providers
• Universities and research organisations
• Start-ups, SMEs and social enterprises

The Challenge

We are looking for innovative solutions that can help deliver one or more of the following outcomes:

• Increase recycling capture from communal properties
• Increase food waste participation
• Reduce contamination of recycling
• Improve resident engagement and behaviour change
• Generate better operational insight through data and technology
• Deliver scalable, cost-effective solutions that could be replicated across London and beyond.

Solutions may involve technology, infrastructure, resident engagement, digital platforms, operational improvements, behavioural interventions or other innovative approaches.

This initiative will be delivered in two stages.

Stage 1 - Expression of Interest - closing date 22/09/26

Organisations are invited to submit a short overview of their proposed solution, including:

• The challenge being addressed
• A summary of the proposed innovation
• Evidence of effectiveness (where available)
• The potential benefits and scalability of the solution

Stage 2 - Shortlisting and Innovation Pitch - Estimated 20/10/26

Shortlisted organisations will receive a detailed briefing pack, including background information, supporting evidence and project requirements. They will then be invited to submit a more detailed proposal and present their solution to a Communal Recycling Innovation Evaluation panel. This collaborative process is intended to identify the most promising ideas for potential pilot projects and future implementation across West London.

Interested? Help us solve one of the UK's biggest recycling challenges

If your organisation has an innovative solution that could improve recycling performance in communal housing, we would like to hear from you.

For informal discussions please contact: Alistair Green - Head of Municipal Waste Development:

alistairgreen@westlondonwaste.gov.uk