Following the recent local elections, and an almost 50/50 split between the Labour and Conservative parties in the borough, Wandsworth residents are eager to see what changes are to come. One issue that’s undoubtedly important to the community is the environment, something which Wandsworth Council has invested a lot of time and money in over the past few years.
According to their own website, as of February 2026, the council has reportedly ‘delivered a standout year of progress’ when it comes to climate action. But how does it compare to other London boroughs? And what still needs to be done?
What improvements has Wandsworth Council made in the last year?
With the goal of achieving net zero by 2043, Wandsworth has made some significant improvements in terms of sustainability. Alongside a reduction in carbon emissions, they have also achieved:
- 1,642 electric vehicle (EV) chargepoints across the borough
- As part of their Cleaner Borough Plan, there has been a jump of more than 25% in recycling – the highest recycling rate ever recorded in Wandsworth
- They funded 50 community and school projects through their Climate Action Microgrant Scheme
These measures, among others, have earned the council a top ‘A’ rating from international environmental organisation Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP).
What is Wandsworth Council missing when it comes to sustainability?
Though progress has clearly been made under the last council, there is still plenty more that can be done in Wandsworth. Even compared to some other London councils, this borough is lagging behind in certain areas.
Wandsworth is one of only a few London boroughs that does not currently offer food waste collection to all households. While this is a legal requirement as of March 2026, many blocks of flats are still without a communal food waste bin, as it is down to managing agents to order one for their block.
It’s not just food recycling that’s lacking either. According to London Datastore, household recycling levels in Wandsworth were at only 28% in 2024 and 2025, compared to the London average of 33%.
As a whole, London has 20.59 square metres of green space per person. However, Wandsworth has only 10.9 square metres per person, making it the 11th least green borough, trailing behind neighbouring Merton and Richmond upon Thames.
It seems that, while Wandsworth is making strong progress in some environmental fields, there are other areas where serious work needs to be done. And following the recent council elections, residents are eager to see what improvements will be made.
