Science Museum team to design recycling education centre for Southwark
Published 17 December 2010
New plans for visitor centre at Old Kent Road unveiled
The team behind the Science Museum unveiled its vision for the new education and visitor centre at Southwark's new recycling and waste facility.
The Old Kent Road site, currently under construction, has been commissioned by Southwark Council and their contractors, Veolia Environmental Services, and will enable the authority to divert significantly more of the borough's waste away from landfill and increase recycling rates.
Part of the new facility will be a first class education centre, giving residents and local school children the chance to learn more about recycling and waste management.
Before construction gets underway, Southwark residents were invited to meet the team responsible for the centre design and share their thoughts on what would make a truly great resource for learning.
Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said:
"I am confident the visitor centre is something we are going to be very proud of. It will show visitors to the site on the Old Kent Road how and why we're driving up recycling rates, how what they do, and how what we do together with them, goes a long way towards making our city greener and better for the future."
Simon Bussell, managing director for Veolia Environmental Services in Southwark added:
"It is vitally important that the next generation engage with the issues surrounding waste and resources. We are working with Southwark Council to ensure that our facility can not only reduce the impact that Southwark's waste has on the environment today, but can also inspire the next generation of recyclers for tomorrow."
Nick Smith, director of KCA London said:
"Every facility that we design is different, because every community has different needs. This is why we are very keen to talk to the schools, community groups and residents who will be using the Southwark facility when it's built. It is really important that we hear their views while we are still in the design phase."
Notes to editors
Who are KCA?
Design agency KCA, are responsible for many of the excellent educational resources available at London 's Science Museum in Kensington. They have also developed a number of other waste educational resources around the country, Including Islington's i-recycle centre.
You can find out more about them at http://www.kcalondon.com/
What will the centre offer?
When finished the centre is expected to offer education school visits, primarily aimed at primary school children. But there will also be opportunities for older children and adults to learn about waste. Visitors will be able to view the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in action and learn about the process of Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) of waste, which will be undertaken on site.
What is the OKR facility?
The Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF), on the former gas works on the Old Kent Road , is being built on behalf of Southwark Council by its recycling and waste partners Veolia Environmental Services. VolkerFitzpatrick has been appointed as the civil contractor.
The facility is expected to set the standard for urban waste and recycling management in the capital, and will be the first inner city facility of its kind in London . It will play a major role in fulfilling Southwark Council's ambition to double its recycling rate from just over 21 per cent at present to over 40 per cent by 2014.
It's expected that the centre will be up and running in late 2011 or early 2012.
Planning permission was granted in February 2010.
Background information
Veolia Environmental Services provide waste management and recycling services on behalf of Southwark Council as part of a 25 year PFI contract. The company's fully integrated strategy includes waste minimisation, collection, transfer, recycling, composting, pre-treatment and disposal.
Veolia Environmental Services, part of the Veolia Environnement Group, is the UK 's leading waste management company. With a sizeable presence throughout the UK , mainland Europe and the world, Veolia Environmental Services employs over 97,000 people worldwide, servicing more than 79 million customers in over 40 countries.
Further more information:
http://www.southwark.gov.uk/info/200084/recycling_and_waste
