Grays Waste Services

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 - Our Foundation

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

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 - 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 - 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 - A change of name

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

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 - 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.