The Sikh temple recycling initiative is a great example of localism in action in Bexley, southeast London, which has a large Sikh population, many of whom worship at the Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara in Belvedere.

In line with the teachings of the Sikh religion, the Gurdwara has a volunteer-run free kitchen that is open seven days a week. Thanks to a major initiative by the council’s Waste and Recycling Team, the Gurdwara has gone from recycling none of its waste to recycling more than 80% of it.

The council made contact with temple leaders to explore the possibility of recycling its waste, believing such a move would complement the Sikh belief that adherents should be loving guardians of the earth, while also providing an example to the entire community and improving the borough’s recycling levels.

Temple leaders were enthusiastic about the proposal and worked with councillors to implement the scheme. Posters and stickers were produced in Punjabi and English so that the entire congregation could understand the message.

Involving the entire Gurdwara community has been key to the success of the scheme: many in the congregation now recycle at home and at work as a result of the campaign. And London 21, a network of community groups and individuals dedicated to creating a greener city, has named the temple the Greenest in Britain.

Bexley Council has expanded provision of recycling facilities to other places of worship and to community halls. To date, 70 churches and all seven of the borough’s community centres have joined the scheme.