Ever WONDERed what happens to your household recycling after it’s collected? Join the Veolia team in Southwark for a fun, free, family-friendly day out on Saturday 12 September 2026, and take a behind the scenes look at the innovative solutions that sort London’s recyclables.
▁▁▁
On Saturday 12 September, from 10am-4pm, Veolia’s Southwark facility is opening its doors to the public for its annual Wonder Day celebration as part of London’s prestigious Open House Festival.
Visitors will have the unique opportunity to tour the on-site Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and witness recycling in action first-hand, to see how different materials are sorted and separated using cutting-edge technology, and understand why getting it right at home makes all the difference.
Tours will run on a first-come, first-served basis, with dedicated children’s tours available for families with young children. Tours have limited capacity, so arrive early to secure your spot.
As well as tours of the facility, there are plenty more free activities to entertain the whole family, such as:
Vehicle display shows with live demonstrations of forklifts, loading shovels, and collection vehicles. Visitors can sit in the driver’s seat and take photos with the large vehicles.
Sustainable upcycling crafts and repair workshops to learn how to give everyday items a second life.
Bring your bicycle along for a safety check and basic service with Community Cycle Works.
Face painting, bouncy castles and interactive games for children.
Veolia’s central London flagship MRF has been operational since 2012 and serves over 2 million Londoners from Southwark and its neighbouring boroughs, as well as commercial customers across London.
As new Simpler Recycling regulations take effect, including the introduction of food waste collections across the UK, there is no better opportunity to learn about recycling and waste management. Visitors can speak directly with industry experts to understand how these changes impact their households, and discover the positive impacts that can be made through recycling.
For information including accessibility, getting there and tour restrictions, visit: southwark.veolia.co.uk/welcome-wonder-day
Matthew Crane, Regional Manager at Veolia Southwark, said: “Every year we look forward to opening our doors to allow Londoners a glimpse into the innovative world of recycling management. This event is more than just a chance to tour the facility, it’s an opportunity for visitors to see first-hand how their everyday actions contribute to a more sustainable future. We want visitors of all ages to leave with renewed enthusiasm for recycling and a deeper understanding of how we’re working together to create a greener Southwark.”
Councillor Eloise Waldon-Day, Executive Member for Climate Change and Council Co-ordination, Southwark Council said: “This is a great opportunity to go behind the scenes and see the fascinating work that goes on to make recycling in Southwark possible. It’s also a reminder of the sheer volume of waste we produce as a society and the need to dispose of this in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
“Wonder Day is a fantastic opportunity for residents to see how their efforts at home really do make a difference. By separating materials correctly and embracing sustainability, together we can make our streets clean and green, and our borough affordable, safe and greener.”
