MRF for London Thames Gateway

Bywaters' cutting edge Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) has opened in London, located just a few miles from Canary Wharf and the City. With an input capacity of up to 250,000 tonnes per year, it is the largest undercover dry recyclables MRF in the capital.

Owned and run by family firm Bywaters, the MRF is part of a major £30 million relocation project to a 9.2 acre site in Bow. The building at Lea Riverside covers more than 187,000 sq ft and is able to operate in all weather conditions, with materials remaining dry as well as secure. The development of the new site follows Bywaters' relocation in 2006 to make way for the 2012 Olympic Games. The company worked closely with the LDA to identify suitable sites and plan a staggered relocation, and with London Remade on the development of their new facility.

Gareth Blacker, Director of the Olympic Legacy Development Team at the LDA, said:  "Bywaters is a great example of a business that embraced the Olympic relocation process to improve and expand."

Aman Dalvi, Chief Executive of Gateway to London, added: "A cluster of environmental companies have been attracted to the region, with many more expected to follow. London Thames Gateway's offer for these firms is dependent upon this kind of infrastructure and this new facility will provide many opportunities for environmental technology companies."

The Lea Riverside MRF is a crucial facility to support London's growing need for commercial recycling and to close the recycling loop. Bywaters has developed its tailored Bycycler system in response to customer demand for easy and efficient recycling solutions.

The dual bin system encourages customers to separate their waste into recycling and residual waste, including food waste. The MRF can process all types of commercial and office dry recyclables, including paper, cans and plastic bottles, and was designed and built by Bywaters in conjunction with Kaizen Recycling Limited and Eggersman. The project was funded by the LDA, UK Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Allied Irish Bank and Bywaters.