Veolia, in partnership with Westminster City Council, describes how it says its team ensured the streets were cleaned before the Coronation and were back to normal two hours after the event.
The operation included 100 operatives and 30 vehicles, more than half of which were electric zero-emission and hybrid types, the resource management says.
We have worked hard to make this event as sustainable as possible, separating out recycling from litter collected.
Veolia says the operation collected over 39 tonnes of additional recycling and refuse collected from the event area – in addition to the approximate 650 tonnes collected on an average weekend.
50 tonnes of sand was also laid down to protect the horses in the procession from potentially slippery drain covers and enable the carriage wheels to turn the corners more easily. This was swept back up within a two-hour window to enable the streets to be safely re-opened, Veolia says.
Over 100 operatives across 8 teams worked from 3 am to cover the event area and procession route. All of the recycling collected was taken to the Southwark recycling facility, and general refuse was taken to SELCHP and used for energy recovery.
It’s a simple job and the early start at 2 am was tough, but the camaraderie and reception from the crowds made it all worthwhile.
Jason Small, Recycling Operative, commented: “It’s great to be able to help out at historic events like this and just be able to say I was part of it in a small way, I really looked forward to it. It’s a simple job and the early start at 2 am was tough, but the camaraderie and reception from the crowds made it all worthwhile.”
Speaking about the operation, Helder Branco, Veolia Westminster General Manager, said: “I am immensely proud of my team’s unwavering passion and commitment to making sure we delivered an outstanding service during this momentous occasion.
“We have worked hard to make this event as sustainable as possible, separating out recycling from litter collected, and with more than half of the vehicles used within the area electric or hybrid.
“The scale and speed at which we make the streets clean and safe to be re-opened are sometimes difficult to imagine, but that is our expertise. The applause from the crowds was very rewarding for my team, and I would like to thank the public for their support.”