Early glimpse of London’s first inner-city waste and recycling facility in action

Due to be formally opened in early 2012, the new state of the art £60m Integrated Waste Management Facility on the former gas works on the Old Kent Road is already processing waste and recycling - and is expected to handle all of Southwark's household waste and recyclables, typically 120,000 tonnes a year, once it becomes fully operational.  

The facility is operated by Southwark Council's recycling and waste partner, Veolia Environmental Services as part of a 25 year PFI contract.  

Measuring 60,000 square metres, it is the first inner-city facility of its kind in the capital.  

It will contain a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) that will sort all materials collected for recycling from Southwark households, allowing residents to place all of their recycling in one container. It will also allow for more materials than ever before to be included in household collections, such as Tetra Pak.  

The facility also contains a Mechanical Biological Treatment facility (MBT) which will remove stray recyclables from the borough's black bag waste and turn the remainder into fuel as opposed to going to landfill.  

Councillor Barrie Hargrove, cabinet member for transport, environment and recycling at Southwark Council, said:  

"Today is an important milestone for the borough. The technology behind recycling and waste collection is taking a huge leap forward with this new site, but perhaps more important are the benefits to the man and woman in the street. Not only does it allow them to recycle more types of material than before but it takes away the need to sort. The site's ability to divert rubbish from landfill and turn it into fuel, are both great achievements for Southwark and should benefit residents as well."  

Simon Bussell, managing director for Veolia Environmental Services in Southwark said:  

"This facility marks a new era for the way in which waste is treated in Southwark and it is great to see it becoming operational for the first time. I am particularly proud that we have been able to fill so many of the early employment positions that the facility has created locally and we intend to continue this principle wherever possible for all future positions. I hope that we will be considered a good neighbour by local residents and that the facility will be recognised for the important role it can play, both for the environment and for job creation, in the community it serves."  

The facility will allow the borough's waste to be treated locally. Previously recycling material and household waste had to be transported out of the borough for sorting and disposal.  

The facility is expected to set the standard for urban waste and recycling management in the capital, and it will play a major role in fulfilling Southwark's ambition to increase its recycling rate to over 40 per cent by 2014.  

Strict environmental standards have also been set around noise, traffic and odour control to ensure the facility meets its commitments to be a good neighbour to the local community.  

More than 30 local jobs have already been created as the site enters its operational phase. It will also incorporate a state of the art visitor and waste education centre.