The Defra minister, who was officially handed the waste brief on Monday, yesterday visited Veolia’s Integrated Waste Management Facility in Southwark, London, which she described as a “model” example of recycling in an urban area.
The Old Kent Road facility, which opened in 2012, was developed as part of a 25-year, PFI contract between Veolia and the London borough of Southwark and include a materials recycling facility, a mechanical biological treatment plant, and a reuse centre.
MRF
The whole facility has capacity to treat 200,000 tonnes of waste per year, with the MRF processing around 87,000 tonnes of the waste which arrives at the site (see letsrecycle.com story).
Dr Coffey said: “Making the most of our resources is hugely important. We have made great progress reducing waste to landfill and increasing our recycling rates, but more can be done, on an individual and community level.
“Our waste sector is world leading with great examples of bold innovation. Veolia’s approach to sorting waste in Southwark has helped double the recycling rate in the borough and should be seen as a role model for getting the most out of waste in an urban area. It also shows how cutting edge science and engineering can play a vital role helping us protect our environment and grow our economy.”
Report
Dr Coffey visited the site alongside the government’s chief scientific advisor Sir Mark Walport and Defra’s chief scientist Professor Ian Boyd – who are to co-author a report exploring ‘how the UK can move from creating waste to valuing resources’.
Due to be published in autumn 2016, the report will respond to a ‘body of independent evidence’ to stimulate broader discussion on waste and promote a culture in which science is openly considered alongside political issues when changing policy.
It is likely to include recommendations on product design and “smart” recycling.
Sir Mark said: “There are big opportunities for the UK to become a more prosperous and secure society by reducing our waste and by harvesting the value from the waste that we do produce.
“Science and innovation in areas such as product design and smart recycling are transforming the way we use products and services enabling us to improve both our economy and environment in ways that previous generations could not.”
Robert Hunt, chief corporate officer and External Affairs director at Veolia, added: “We were delighted to welcome Dr Thérèse Coffey and other senior government officials to our integrated waste management facility in Southwark and it is great news that the new Minister is already engaging with industry about waste and recycling policy.”
Register for free to comment