Due to a fire in Walworth Town Hall on Monday 25 March, the Walworth One Stop Shop, Cuming Museum and Newington Library are closed. Alternative locations are now available for many affected services.
What happens to my food and garden waste?
The food and garden waste we collect from households and schools in Southwark is taken to our integrated waste management facility.
When enough material is collected it is transferred into very large lorries and taken to a composting facility.
Composting
At the composting facility, the following process takes place with the biodegradable waste:
- It is shredded to make the particles smaller and water is added
- it is kept at between 60-70ºC
- Air is added regularly for over about a week, as bacteria uses up lots of the oxygen
- After being monitored for pathogens, it is removed and put on open windrows where it is regularly turned for up to six weeks
- Finally, it is put through a large sieve to remove contaminants to make it suitable for use as an agricultural soil improver.
The soil improver is used for agricultural purposes. It enhances organic matter levels in soil and supplies essential nutrients for improving crops.
Waste management
Address: 43 Devon Street
(Off Old Kent Road)
London
SE15 1AL
Tel: 020 7525 2000
