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Ever WONDER what happens to your recycling?

Southwark's FREE fun-filled, family-friendly Wonder Day is back on Saturday 16 September 2023, 10am - 4pm.

Come along to our annual Wonder Day, in conjunction with Open House London, to see our Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF) sort recycling using the latest innovations, and meet some of the amazing experts that work behind the scenes.

Tours of the facility will be taking place throughout the day to give you an insight into how your waste is actually a valuable resource that can help us to build a sustainable future. No bookings are needed to attend a tour, time slots are assigned on a first come first served basis. Please arrive early to avoid any disappointment. Tour restrictions also apply. Please visit our website to find out more.

In addition to the tours there will be lots of entertainment for the whole family including...

· Upcycling and craft workshops
· Bike repair stall - providing a free basic service/safety checks. They will also be able to answer any bike related questions including cycle safety and confidence advice
· Local community garden plant sale
· Vehicle display - little ones who love diggers, trucks and shovels can explore the big machines that work on site and learn what they do
· Bouncy Castle, face painting and games to keep little and big kids entertained
· Recycling Discovery Centre - discover the origins of materials, the recycling life cycle, and play on a mini version of the facility
· Food and refreshments will also be available to purchase on the day.

The facilty

The Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility was built and is being operated by Veolia UK, as part of its 25 year PFI contract with Southwark Council.

The facility, which became operational in January 2012, is one of the most advanced in Europe. It has been designed to promote sustainable waste management and to accommodate the unique central London location.

The facility comprises:
· Materials Recovery Facility (MRF)
· Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT) facility
· Public Household Waste, Reuse and Recycling Centre (HWRRC)
· Waste transfer station
· Recycling Discovery Centre for children
· Waste collections depot
· Vehicle workshop

The MRF sorts one of the widest ranges of household recyclables in the UK, including difficult to recycle items such as Tetra Paks, aerosols and tubs. It can be reprogrammed to take account of future developments in packaging and materials, ensuring a more sustainable design – a first in Europe. Near Infrared (NIR) sorters are used extensively to reduce the human interface within the mechanical separation process, making the facility safer and more efficient than ever.

The MBT treats black bag, traditionally non-recyclable waste. Using a unique combination of novel technologies, a new concept has been developed to mechanically separate recyclable materials (e.g. metals and plastics) from the general waste. These materials are sent for recycling, whilst the remaining general waste is biologically processed into a low carbon biomass fuel for energy recovery. Some of this fuel is used at SELCHP to generate electricity for the national grid and heat, which is circulated to around 2,800 Southwark Council homes.

Key features

Hidden Architecture

The facility’s architecture is designed to sit discreetly in its surroundings; the exterior makes use of neutral colours and a pleasing curved roof structure.

Key design features include:

· Operational entrances face away from nearby housing.
· Negative pressure within the facility draws dust and odours back into the building for neutralisation and treatment.
· Quiet, rapid shutting fabric doors help to contain noise, dust and odours.
· Landscaping creates a ‘green’ corridor to promote health and wellbeing and to support biodiversity.

ARCHITECTURE FOR A CLIMATE EMERGENCY

The facility was designed to provide a sustainable waste solution which enhances the circular economy and minimises impact on the local environment.

Reducing landfill and carbon emissions:

The facility supports a full suite of waste treatment processes, from collection to recovery, offering maximised diversion from landfill and a significantly lowered carbon footprint.

Centralised location:

Situated in South East London, our unique centralised location minimises the emissions associated with waste collections. In addition, the South East London Combined Heat and Power (SELCHP) energy recovery facility, where a large portion of Southwark’s waste is processed, is located just a mile away from the site.

Sustainable Design Features:

These work alongside operational solutions to reduce greenhouse emissions, improve resource efficiency and promote biodiversity:

· Electric vehicle charging points in the staff car park
Solar panels provide up to 20% of the energy for the education centre.
· Grey and rainwater systems to conserve and recycle water.
· 25% of materials used in the construction of the facility were recycled or reclaimed
· Sedum roof matting, bat and bird boxes, and stag beetle logs were established on site to support and promote urban biodiversity.
· We have a number of bee hives on site. The bees help to pollinate local foliage but also produce our delicious Old Kent Road honey!