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Londoners invited to get smart about recycling

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If you’ve ever wondered what happens to your plastics after you’ve thrown them in the recycling bin, then don't miss your chance to see what goes on inside the UK’s most advanced recycling facility, at Veolia’s annual Wonder Day event on Saturday 21 September.

As part of Open House London, Veolia will share a rare glimpse inside its Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility (IWMF), where London’s most curious recyclers will get real insights, just in time for Recycle Week (23-29 September).

This year the recycling industry has been under scrutiny. Media programmes such as Hugh and Anita’s War On Plastics, have raised questions about the UK’s recycling and where materials end up. With public interest so high, it’s never been a better time to visit Veolia’s IWMF to see and learn about the extensive measures that ensure all of the materials collected by Veolia are recycled properly.

As the UK’s leading waste management provider, Veolia and its Southwark IWMF is often seen on the news. In the past 12 months, the IWMF was selected to host the launch of the UK Government's Environment Strategy and also welcomed HRH The Prince of Wales for the Waste to Wealth Summit. 

Wonder Day is an Open House favourite, attracting hundreds of recyclers through its doors every year. All visitors receive exclusive insights into the journey of recycling, and learn how skilled hand pickers and state of the art technology ensure the highest quality of recycling, so that materials can be turned into something new.

The public are more invested in recycling than ever before, and we’re really pleased to see an increase in recycling awareness among Londoners. Wonder Day is one of our favourite days of the year, as it allows us to show off the hard work of our teams, and assure people that recycling is worth the effort. With Recycle Week just around the corner, we hope those that visit the facility will go home with a greater commitment to recycling, ensuring the right items end up in the right bin.
Julie Angulo
General Manager for Veolia Southwark

This year guided tours of the IWMF will run every 20 minutes, on a first come first serve basis. Visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.

In addition to the tours there will be a variety of free sustainable activities to help visitors learn how to reduce their waste, reuse items and recycle better. The following activities will run throughout the day and are suitable for the whole family:

  • Get your wobbly bike saddle fixed by Community Cycleworks, who will be undertaking bike repairs

  • Find out about the lifecycle of materials in our interactive education centre

  • Find out how to transform your junk by taking part in our upcycling workshops

  • Turn unwanted household items into musical instruments with the Junk Orchestra

  • Take our recycling quiz and get tips on how to advance your recycling habits

  • Experience what it’s like to operate our collection vehicles

  • Watch our vehicles moving and squashing large household items for recycling 

  • There will also be a bouncy castle, children’s games, and food stalls 

Event details:

Saturday 21 September

10am to 4pm

Tours every 20 minutes*

Southwark Integrated Waste Management Facility

43 Devon Street, London, SE15 1AL

*Restrictions apply, please see Veolia Southwark website for more details.