On 5th December 2011 Bywaters begansorting all of Lewishams household recycling in a contract that will run until at least 2014 and will seethe companyhandling around17,500 tonnes of Lewishams household recycling per year.
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The council previously paid a gate fee to send its recyclables to Veoliasmaterials recycling facility (MRF)in Greenwich but under the new deal it will receive an income for its recyclables for the first time, amounting to an estimated 962,000 in the first year.
Bywaters (Leyton) Ltd was awarded the contract in October 2011 following a competitive tendering process during the summer. One reason it was successful was because it provided an opportunity to expand the range of recyclable items collected from householders by Lewisham councils in-house team.
Materials
At present, the council collects dry recycling and residual waste weekly. Previously the only materials that were collected were paper, card, glass, cans andplastic bottles. But, residents were keen torecycle a wider range of materials such as mixed plastics in their recycling bins and green boxes. The tendering process enabled the council to take those suggestions into consideration and include them in the tender documents.
The Bywaters MRF processing plant, located in nearby Bow, is equipped with sorting technology allowing it to deal with items not previously recyclable in Lewisham. For instance, drinks cartons, crisp packets, shredded paper, perfume bottles, plastic food trays and packaging and aerosols can now all be left in residents recycling bins.
Even textiles, such as material and old clothes, that are not suitable for charity shops, can now be recycled from the doorstep although the council is encouraging residents to take these to charity shops if possible.
Pleased
Councillor Susan Wise, cabinet member for customer services in Lewisham, said: Im passionate about recycling and Im incredibly pleased that this new contract means that we will be able to recycle many more materials.
It makes it so much easier for people to be able to throw all these extra items into the recycling bin, knowing that more and more will go back into the system to be recycled and reused. Its all good for the environment and great news for pushing up Lewishams recycling rates.
John S. Glover, Bywaters managing director, said: It is a pleasure to have delivered a best in class proposal and qualified through a competitive process. Bywaters delivers tailored solutions to London Boroughs and will work in partnership with Lewisham to increase overall recycling rates.
While Lewishams recycling rates have gone up in recent years – the borough currently recycles 18% of its household waste – the council hopes its recycling rates will rise during the three year contract. Its target is to recycle and compost 21%of household waste by 2013/14.
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