Veolia, the UK’s leading resource management company, has secured a new ten-year contract with East London Waste Authority (ELWA) to deliver sustainable waste treatment, recycling and management services, starting in December 2027.
The £183m contract has been awarded for an initial 10.25 year period, with a potential five-year extension. Veolia will operate two waste transfer stations and four reuse and recycling centres, as well as haulage services across ELWA’s four constituent London boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Havering, Newham, and Redbridge.
To improve recycling rates and modernise critical infrastructure, Veolia will redevelop the two waste transfer station sites to include a pre-treatment sorting process. This will proactively remove recyclables from the bulky waste stream, recovering more materials and lowering costs for the Authority. Veolia’s inhouse haulage division will also reduce costs through enhanced operational efficiency.
In addition to providing high-performing, value for money services, delivering for the community will be a high priority, with over £5 million committed in social value contributions over the course of the contract. Making a notable and measurable contribution to the social, economic and environmental wellbeing of the areas it serves is part of Veolia’s business ethos. This community investment will be delivered through local, inclusive employment opportunities, training and development programmes, school engagement, community funding and embracing local supply chains.
Through the contract, Veolia will directly invest in the local community, with a dedicated Education, Communications, and Outreach team and ELWA will coordinate resident engagement and social wellbeing initiatives. In the first five years alone, this will include over £50,000 worth of direct investment in community and school biodiversity projects through the Veolia Orchard and Sustainability Fund programmes, as well as an annual compost giveaway.
Residents will also benefit from a new Circular Economy Hub at Jenkins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre, featuring stronger reuse provisions that enable residents to purchase items at a reduced rate and an Education Centre to engage the community in sustainable behaviours.
Richard Kirkman, Chief Executive Officer for Veolia UK said: “I am delighted to announce this new contract with ELWA, which will deliver high-quality and modern services that place community benefit at the forefront. Our ambition is to help build a more resilient circular economy by maximising resource recovery, reducing waste and strengthening environmental security for the communities we serve.
Our business is deeply embedded in the local areas we serve and our investment in people and infrastructure will support ELWA in achieving both its environmental and social goals. We look forward to working together to drive continuous improvement, unlock the value of resources, advance circular economy solutions and support inclusive economic growth.”
Councillor Jo Blackman, Chair of ELWA, said: “I am pleased to announce the award of our RHRRC Contract to Veolia following a highly competitive procurement process. This is a critical part of the modernisation of our waste services in East London – improving the service to residents, making use of the latest technology and minimising our environmental impact. Veolia will become a new long-term partner working with us to improve the service provided to our local residents, as well as investing in our sites and facilities to help us to increase reuse and recycling, and to drive forward the Circular Economy in East London.”
