Waste strategy for Southwark

We are committed to providing effective and efficient recycling and refuse
collection services for all properties in the borough. We also want to make it
as easy as possible for all our residents to recycle as much as they can.

Our current performance

		2009/10	2010/11
Total household waste collected (tonnes)		111,997	110,236
Recycling and composting rate (%)		22.13%	25.14%
Amount of municipal waste diverted from landfill (recovery rate %)		54.83%	63.34%

Our strategic targets for recycling rate and recovery rate for 2010/11 were 30% and 45% respectively.

Our next key target milestone is to achieve a 40% recycling rate in 2014.

Development of Southwark's waste management strategy

In consultation with residents, our overarching waste strategy document was published in 2003, detailing the policies and strategies for dealing with our waste right through to 2021.

Against the backdrop of low recycling rates, high growth in the amount of waste produced, and limited space and increased costs for landfilling, the council needed a long term strategy that would look to:

• lower the amount of waste produced
• make it easier for residents to recycle, and increase our recycling rate
• build a new waste facility to deal with all our waste in a way that minimises the impact on the environment, and supports local communities and the local economy

Partnership with Veolia Environmental Services

To help deliver the council's strategic goals, a 25 year PFI contract was
entered into in 2008 between the council and Veolia Environmental Services.
Under the terms of the integrated contract, Veolia undertake all our waste and recycling collection, treatment and disposal operations.

In addition, a state of the art integrated waste management facility is now
in operation on the Old Kent Road, and is being operated by Veolia.  It is  providing the required improvement in waste infrastructure identified by the
council in its 2003 strategy

The new facility is playing a central role in helping to reduce the impact that Southwark's waste has on the environment. It is expected to facilitate a significant improvement in the borough's recycling levels as well as diverting most of the waste that would previously have gone to landfill.