At Westminster City Council, we are proud of our efforts in driving environmental
sustainability and waste management best practices. Our commitment is not only
demonstrated by the initiatives we implement in Westminster, but also through global
recognition and exchange of knowledge. Recent delegations hosted by the Council have
allowed us to showcase our achievements with other international leaders in the waste
management sector.
Kenyan Delegation: Developing Waste Management Infrastructure
On Friday, 25 April, we had the privilege of hosting a delegation of 25 Kenyan government
officials as part of a project supported by UN Habitat aimed at improving waste management
infrastructure in Kenya.
During their visit, the delegation toured some of Westminster City Council’s key facilities,
including the South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP) Energy Recovery
Facility (ERF) and Landmann Way depot. They saw firsthand how we convert waste into
electricity that powers our collection fleet, helping us to decarbonise our operations.
Currently, only 38% of waste is collected in Kenya with the remaining waste left to
accumulate. The Kenyan delegation intends to transform their waste management, bringing
Westminster’s best operation practices back to Nairobi.
New York City’s Centre of Zero Waste Design: Commercial Waste Solutions
On Monday, 28 April, we hosted the NYC Centre of Zero Waste Design. This visit was
focused on learning more about our commercial waste operations and the ways in which
waste is consolidated, separated and stored before collection.
This included a visit to The Berkeley Hotel, which has become a model for sustainable waste
management in the hospitality sector, alongside multiple waste consolidation points across
our Westminster depots. This visit was incredibly valuable for the delegation, and they were
keen to develop a case study on the high recycling rates at the Berkeley Hotel.
Waste Management New Zealand: Diversifying from Landfill
Finally, on Friday, 9 June, we had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from Waste
Management New Zealand. Their visit was part of a trip to explore alternative waste
management methods as they look to reduce their reliance on landfill.
We gave the group an overview of Westminster’s waste and cleansing operations, the
broader UK waste policy and a tour of our waste management facilities. The group left with a
wealth of knowledge and insight, thanking us for the opportunity to learn from our operations.
They stated: ‘The insights shared across the various sites have given us plenty to reflect on
as we further develop our operations here in New Zealand’.
Looking Forward
These delegations represent Westminster City Council’s broader efforts to lead by example
in waste management and sustainability. We are excited to share our experiences and learn
from others to continue improving our operations.
