GMWDA Raises The Bar For Recycling
Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GWWDA) has announced that it has raised the height of the barriers at all Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) entrances in Greater Manchester. Previously, the barriers were set at a height of 5’9” (175cm) in order to deter traders from abusing the sites.
However, in recognition of users’ views and the trend towards the increased height of vehicles, such as people carriers, becoming more common as family cars, the GMWDA approved at its June 2008 meeting that work should be undertaken over the summer on the barriers to raise them from 5’9” (175cm) to 6’1” (185.5cm).
GMWDA uses height barriers at HWRCs to deter traders illegally using the site; HWRCs are provided and paid for by householders through their council tax. The height barriers have enabled the authority to significantly reduce this abuse.
Councillor Neil Swannick, Chair of the Authority commented: “We are very pleased to be making it even easier for the residents of Greater Manchester to recycle. We have taken on board views from residents and have raised the bar to give more of an opportunity to recycle whilst maintaining the Authority’s ability to provide a physical deterrent to traders, the majority of whom use vans or larger commercial vehicles.”
GMWDA has also made significant progress towards signing a new waste management contract with their preferred bidder Viridor/Laing, which will enable residents to recycle even more by making significant improvements to many of the existing HWRCs. This will include an improved layout of facilities, more space to manoeuvre, increased assistance from site workers and CCTV.
Further details about the sites across Greater Manchester can be found at: www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com
NOTES FOR EDITORS
GMWDA is the largest of six English waste disposal authorities that were created under the Local Government Act 1985. GMWDA provides waste disposal services for over 958,000 households in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. It handles around 5% of national municipal waste.
The Authority is in the later stages of the procurement of a 25-year waste services contract using the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). In January 2007 the Authority appointed the Viridor/Laing consortia as its Preferred Bidder. The Authority has subsequently provided details of the emerging technical solution and new infrastructure (see Related Press Releases at: www.gmwda.gov.uk).
For further information please call Pamela Taylor, Communications Support Officer on 0161 770 1722.