Heart of London Business Alliance partnered with Westminster City Council and Veolia – a global leader in resource management and environmental solutions – to launch ‘Good to-go’ a sustainable on-street solution for the West End, the first of its kind for London.
Research, commissioned by Veolia, suggests that 30% of Londoners buy at least one hot take-away drink each week, placing the capital’s weekly consumption of takeaway cups in the millions. With almost half (47%) of the public willing to hold onto their cup for longer if they knew they would pass a purpose-built bin, the trial will see the introduction of specialised on-street bins and Westminster’s street sweepers become mobile coffee cup recycling points to provide easy access to recycling solutions for the millions of people who live, work and visit the West End.
Initially introduced to a number of high-footfall streets in select areas across Westminster, including Piccadilly, St James and Leicester Square, if successful, the scheme could see the West End lead on sustainable on-street recycling by seeing it adopted across the capital.
Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Environment, Sport and Community, Cllr David Harvey said:
“We all need to do more to reduce levels of waste, and Westminster City Council is committed to promoting greener living and the more efficient use of resources. I’ve asked Westminster residents to join me in giving up single-use plastics over lent. Whether it’s straws, bottles or coffee cups we live in a city addicted to plastic – but small changes help make a big difference. I hope that central London’s commuters make the most of this new opportunity to make their daily caffeine hit guilt-free.”