About Grays Waste

A history of Grays Waste Services from 1947 to today

Established in 1947

Founded in 1947, Grays Waste has always been at the forefront of specialist waste collection services. Named after the founder, Peter Gray, the business was formed as an animal by-product and meat waste collection service providing services across London and The South East.

  • 1947

    1947 - Our Foundation

    Founded by Peter Gray in Deptford, South East London. Peter Gray started by collecting and drying rabbit skins and pheasant feathers.

  • 1953

    1953 - Myxomotisis

    Myxomotisis – a highly infectious viral infection for Rabbits becomes prevalent and destroys the industry. Peter Gray begins collecting muslin cloths & butchers waste (fat & bone) for rendering. Rendering is the process in which meat waste can be turned into tallow. Tallow describes the liquid fat and meal – the dry solid residue rich in protein. Tallow is used to make soaps, detergents, candles, leather dressing and lubricants. The meal which is rich in protein could be further utilised to create pet foods.

    Peter Gray became so busy that his brother Jim joins the business and forms the business Grays Bros.

  • 1960

    1960 - Growth & Diversification

    Grays Bros forms a strategic partnership with the pet food industry, supplying pet food to manufacturers across the UK. The business moves from Deptford to Bermondsey and continues to grow. The business continues to diversify into new business ventures, including industrial boning, meat wholesale and general haulage. A huge quantity of used cooking oil (UCO) was being thrown away into the drainage system & landfill. Grays began to collect the oil for reprocessing into biofuels & also as an added ingredient for biodiesel. Grays became the largest UCO collector in Greater London and the South East.

  • 1979

    1979 - A move to Stratford

    Due to the significant expansion created by the collection of UCO, the business moves again to Stratford, East London. Grays continue to collect waste cooking oil and food waste for conversion into animal by-products.

  • 1981

    1981 - A change of name

    Waste Collection LorryGrays Waste Services is incorporated. Grays continue to grow for another 20 years.

  • 2001

    2001 - Expansion across London

    The business ventures into refuse collection across London, purchasing their own fleet of sophisticated waste vehicles, dust carts and skips. Grays form strategic relationships with some of the UKs largest corporate companies.

  • 2009

    2009 - The Olympics

    With the forthcoming 2012 London Olympics & the construction of Crossrail, Grays site is compulsory purchased due to being based on the border of the Olympic Stadium. They move to Thamesmead, South East London. The third generation of the Grays family are now taking the business forward, yet continue to serve some of their original customers who have remained with them over the past 65 years.

DID YOU KNOW?

On average each year a restaurant throws away the food equivalent in weight to a London Routemaster Bus. The main areas of wastage are preparation, stock wastage and portion sizes.

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Reviews from clients in the London area

  • "With the legislation for food waste changing rapidly, it is important for our organisation that our waste service provider ensures that they are consistently compliant with all regulations, and that they ensure we are compliant also."

    Hospital Facilities Manager
    ROMFORD
  • "After one of our delivery drivers was involved in a road accident whilst transporting a large quantity of frozen food, we needed an emergency collection to remove and dispose of the vast quantity of food items. We chose Grays Waste who arrived within the hour, removed the food waste and we feel offered a very reasonable price considering the urgency of the matter."

    Supermarket Manager
    BROMLEY
  • "We have used Grays Waste for 7 years and have found them to be reliable and professional throughout. Having used some other food waste companies previously, it became clear how much better the service offered by Grays actually is. Thanks again. "

    Restaurant Owner
    ENFIELD

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Grays Waste Services

CONTACT US
Phone: 020 8317 0172
Fax: 020 8301 8230
Email: info@grayswaste.co.uk
Web: www.grayswaste.co.uk

ADDRESS
Grays Waste Services
124-126 Nathan Way
London
SE28 0AU

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