North London Waste Authority (NLWA), in collaboration with LondonEnergy (LEL) and The Bike Project, is launching a reuse scheme for bikes at seven reuse and recycling centres. The new initiative, a first of its kind in north London, aims to refurbish donated bikes and give them to refugees and individuals seeking asylum in the UK, thereby reducing bike waste and improving the quality of life for people in need.
The scheme will operate by allowing residents of the seven north London boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest to donate their unwanted bicycles at their local recycling centre, keeping them in circulation for longer. Leveraging their expertise in bicycle refurbishment, The Bike Project will then repair and restore the donated bikes to a usable condition. The refurbished bikes will then be distributed to refugees and people seeking asylum, providing them with a valuable mode of transport and recreation.
Lizzie Kenyon, Chief Executive of The Bike Project said: “We’re delighted to partner with NLWA and LEL to reduce waste and improve the lives of refugees. For over a decade, The Bike Project has been refurbishing unwanted bicycles and donating them to refugees in the UK.
“With financial allowances as low as £8.86 per week for some, many refugees face tough choices between essentials and transport. Donating bikes not only prevents waste but also provides refugees with a sustainable means to access education, support services, and community connections, improving their physical and mental health.
“This partnership will help us reach more refugees, giving them the freedom and independence that a bike offers.”
This partnership reflects NLWA’s ongoing commitment to waste prevention and the preservation of resources. By offering residents an avenue to donate unwanted bikes, the scheme directly addresses the need to cut household waste and prioritise reuse, repair and recycling.
Councillor Clyde Loakes MBE, Chair of NLWA, said: “We are excited to be partnering with The Bike Project who have been supporting refugees for over a decade. This initiative is a fantastic example of how we can work innovatively to tackle waste while also providing real benefits to our community.
“The bike initiative is just another part of our extensive reuse and recycling service offer with a broad range of services, such as a reuse scheme for household items, paint and DIY materials, our ReUse Shop and recycling services for mattresses, hard plastics, carpets and expanded polystyrene.
“By creating a convenient way for residents to donate bikes they no longer need, we are actively diverting items from waste. Not only does the scheme benefit the environment but it also supports the community, offering refugees and asylum seekers in London a sustainable mode of transport and contributing to a healthy and green lifestyle.”
Katie Blowes, Waste Operations Manager at LEL said: “At LondonEnergy, we’re proud to partner with The Bike Project to reduce waste and give unwanted bikes a new purpose.
“This initiative not only helps the environment but also provides refugees with a valuable means of transport and independence. We encourage everyone to donate their bikes and be part of this positive change.”
Further details on when and where bike donations can be made will be communicated in due course or you can visit our reuse and recycling centres pages for more information.
