The Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility is a feat of modern design and engineering. Built to deal with over 200,000 tonnes of waste annually, the facility separates Southwark’s mixed recycling ready to be turned into something new. All black bag waste from the borough is brought to the facility and turned into a low carbon fuel, which provides energy to the National Grid, and heating for around 2,500 Southwark homes via a district heating network. Tours of the facility take place throughout the day to give residents a thought provoking and intriguing insight into how our waste is actually a resource that can help us build a sustainable future.
In addition to the tours there is lots of entertainment for the whole family
- Come see wild birds up close, and find out how some help out on site
- Meet ‘R3cycle’ our friendly remote controlled robot made from old recycling bins who loves entertaining children
- Explore the big machines that work on site and learn what they do
- Discover the origins of materials, the recycling lifecycle, and play on a mini version of the facility at our Recycling Discovery Centre
Alongside all this there will be the junk orchestra, arts and crafts and lots of free refreshments!
Coordinator of the event and education and outreach officer Sharon Ellis said, ‘It’s going to be a fantastic, fun, and busy event with lots going on for families and the local community to enjoy and celebrate. This year is extra special because it’s Recycle Week and we will be promoting sustainability, as well as offering practical help and advice for those who want to do their best for the environment. Visitors can also get involved in quizzes, play games and win some great prizes to help raise money for FoodCycle.’
Councillor Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for environment and public realm said: ‘I would highly recommend a visit to the site for a chance to see the modern cutting edge technology behind recycling. It’s a wonderfully quirky day out for the family but also really educational too.’
What residents said about last year’s event:
Anna Fairclough (SE7), ‘The kids look forward to coming every year! This is our second visit and it’s even better.’
David Warwick (SE23), ‘The whole visitor experience was very well thought through and well organised, very impressed.’
For more information regarding tour rules and things to do on the day click here.