Waste management company J&G Environmental will deposit aluminium litho plates that it collects from printers and newspaper companies across London and the South East at the Rainham facility.

J&G has also applied for an Environmental Agency permit for the site, which would allow it to handle a wider range of printing waste, including large volumes of hazardous liquid waste, such as solvent, used ink, empty ink tins and cartridges.

General manager John Haines said: "A significant number of print companies are now looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.

"Cutting the distance their waste is transported can really help them to achieve the improved carbon footprint many of them are seeking."

J&G handles waste management for thousands of UK printers and newspaper groups. It also has an operation at Warrington, which serves customers in the North and Midlands.

The £20m-turnover company has 44 staff, and is also planning to establish new waste handling facilities in Coventry and Scotland during 2009.