There’s been a huge improvement in the cleanliness of our streets and Greener Ealing is the dynamic force that’s leading the way in creating a borough we can all be proud of, while fighting the climate emergency too.

Greener Ealing Ltd (GEL) is wholly owned and run by the council, and has just had its 2023/24 business plan approved. That means that GEL will continue to deliver essential frontline services to residents and businesses such as:

• Safe and efficient waste and recycling collection
• Clean and tidy streets
• Well kept parks and open spaces.

GEL was set up three years ago as part of the council’s decision to bring environmental services in-house, and its story is one of innovation, growth and success. GEL has gone from strength to strength – from a top quality waste collection service, consistently in the top three in London for recycling, to innovation in its vehicle fleet, working towards net zero carbon and ending the need to send waste to landfill. Bringing the service back in house also allowed the council to ensure all staff are now paid above the London Living Wage.

How is Greener Ealing doing?

Despite challenging circumstances, including the national shortage of HGV drivers, GEL is providing a consistently good service to Ealing residents. For example:

• Customer satisfaction is significantly up, with complaints substantially down. Customer complaints dropped from 170 in 2019/20 to just 27 in 2022/23
• GEL has significantly increased the level of household waste in Ealing that is recycled
• GEL is keeping our streets pleasant and tidy. According to an independent company, which inspects our streets three times a year, GEL is exceeding targets for litter clearance
• GEL was recognised with a gold award at the prestigious London in Bloom competition for their work looking after our green spaces.

Sustainable at heart

Greener Ealing plays an important role in helping Ealing in its journey to net zero by delivering services that reduce waste and cut the use of polluting technologies.

It has already achieved its carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction target for 2022 and reduced CO2 by 7.3%. GEL is also modernising its vehicle fleet, and will soon be switching to 10 electric vehicles..

In addition, GEL introduced a recycling programme for personal protective equipment (PPE), such as masks, which helps to reduce waste and promotes a circular economy where we no longer need to send waste to landfill.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan, cabinet member for climate action, said: “Greener Ealing has dramatically improved services for residents, while taking steps to tackle the climate emergency. They are offering the environmentally friendly service that our residents deserve, while helping us all to make those small changes that often have a significant impact.

What’s next?

As well as continuing to deliver much-needed waste and recycling services, GEL will also be responsible for graffiti removal for a cleaner and more pleasant borough from June 2023 and parking enforcement from April 2024.

Councillor Deirdre Costigan comments: “By having graffiti removal, parking enforcement and waste collection services all managed under one roof in-house, we can deliver greater value for money and quality of service for our residents. We are particularly excited about GEL taking over our parking enforcement as it will lead to more efficient action against illegal parking, air pollution and congestion, and safer roads for pedestrians and cyclists.”