Veolia Southwark’s annual Wonder Day, in conjunction with Open House London, is back and will take place on Saturday 16 September.
Last year the recycling site off Old Kent Road welcomed over 800 visitors, this year even more events are taking place on site. On the day there will be tours of the facility how recyclables and black bag waste are turned into new green products and energy. There will also be a host of interactive exhibits, games and fun to entertain the whole family.
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 waste is actually used as resource that can help us to build a sustainable future.
In addition to the tours there is lots of entertainment for the whole family including…
- Upcycling and craft workshops. Bring along glass vases or jars and give them a new lease of life at our glass painting workshop. There will also be art workshops for everyone to get involved in.
- Dr Bike who be providing a free service/safety checks. Plus he will be able to answer any bike related questions including cycle safety and confidence advice.
- Wild birds display. Find out which wild bird works on site to reduce unwelcome pests.
- ‘R3cycle’, our friendly remote controlled robot made from old recycling bins, R3 loves to entertain children.
- Yellow plant display. Little ones who love diggers, trucks and shovels can explore the big machines that work on site and learn what they do.
- Recycling Discovery Centre. Discover the origins of materials, the recycling lifecycle, and play on a mini version of the facility.
Alongside all this there will be the junk orchestra, bouncy castle and lots of free refreshments!
Coordinator of the event and education and outreach officer Sharon Ellis said: ‘I look forward to this event every year as there is always such a great atmosphere. It’s also great to see visitors learning how interesting recycling and sustainability is whilst enjoying all our activities. Plus this year we have a new upcycling crafts workshop, Dr Bike will be on hand to provide bike checks and lots of fun and exhibits to keep everyone entertained.’
Cllr Ian Wingfield, Cabinet Member for Environment and the Public Realm said: “I would encourage everyone to visit our recycling centre and see modern design and engineering, working alongside wild birds to create a sustainable recycling solution. With upcycling workshops, big machinery tours and R3cycle, the friendly in-house robot, it’s a wonderfully quirky day out for the family.”
What visitors said about last year’s event:
Lene Milaa said, ‘This kind of event informs about what goes on behind the scene of recycling and brings the message home’.
John Manson said, ‘The visit was incredible. I will recycle the story of my visit to all my friends for years to come’.
For more information regarding tour rules and things to do on the day CLICK HERE.