Amid London’s ongoing struggle to reach its 2025 recycling goals of 45 per cent and bolster material circularity, a pressing need emerges for systemic solutions to confront the burgeoning waste crisis in the UK and beyond.

Cities and municipal governments are central players in addressing the waste crisis — they play a crucial role in raising awareness about waste reduction and establishing systems to enable recycling. However, what cities can do is limited as there are inherent structural challenges that must be addressed. The international dimension of waste exacerbates these challenges, as waste management practices intersect with national policies and global trade frameworks.