Bywater’s begins Houses of Parliament recycling contract

London-based waste management company Bywater’s has begun a five-year contract for the Parliamentary Estate, with the aim of increasing recycling rates and aiding sustainability efforts at the Palace of Westminster and the 14 sites that make up the Parliamentary Estate.

The five-year contract will run until November 2021 with the option of a two-year extension, and was won by Bywater’s following an open and competitive tender.

The contract gives Bywater’s responsibility for the collection and disposal of waste produced by the Parliamentary Estate. Bywater’s will also be expected to provide consultancy services and initiatives to facilitate continuous improvements in the Estate’s recycling.

The materials and equipment necessary for the recycling and recovery regime, such as on-site bespoke waste compactors and colour-coded waste recycling bins, are provided in the contract. Materials taken for recycling will be processed at Bywater’s Recycling and Recovery Centre in Bromley-by-Bow.

Bywater’s will work closely with Parliamentary Estate management officials to provide continuous support throughout the contract, in line with the partnership approach taken by Bywater’s in all of its waste management contracts. This support will include training for cleaning staff and a communications campaign for staff and MPs to facilitate the success of the recycling campaign.

Commenting on the new contract, John Glover, Managing Director of Bywater’s, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the contract as the Houses of Parliament’s preferred resource management partner. Our bespoke approach working in partnership with the Parliamentary Estate, together with a dedicated contract manager and three waste operatives based permanently on site, will ensure smooth running for the contract as we work towards improving our recycling rates. Our goal is to meet and exceed expectations.”

Bywater’s won planning permission this month (8 November) to redevelop its waste site in Leyton, which it aims to convert into 730 residential homes, 21 per cent of which will be affordable, a primary school, and commercial space. The company has received an environmental permit to extend the amount of waste treated annually at its Bromley-by-Bow MRF from 500,000 to 650,000 tonnes to be able to cope with the influx of waste that will now arrive after the sale of the Leyton site.

Commenting on the planning committee’s decision, Glover said: “The redevelopment of the Gateway Road site will continue the ongoing process of bringing more investment into Leyton. We are extremely pleased that Waltham Forest Planning Committee recognises the benefits the scheme will bring to the area, including 730 new homes and 4,500 sq m of new commercial space. These promise to activate the local area, and create more footfall for local businesses.”

Bywater’s also recently installed 4,000 solar panels on the roof of its MRF in London, which are capable of producing enough energy to power 227 homes and saving 8,000 tonnes of CO2 over 25 years.

More information about Bywater’s can be found on the company’s website.