What a load of rubbish

Photo: DARREN ROBINSON

ANGRY . . . Landscape gardener Ken Reece

A furious landscape gardener claims a hike in price for commercial tipping will force people who can’t afford it to fly-tip.

Ken Reece of Thornham Road, High Crompton, says the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has introduced a new minimum charge for dumping trade waste at £31.05 plus VAT.

He uses the Viridor Newton Heath tip on Reliance Street, but claims the new price will encourage people to dump illegally.

When he called the company for answers, he was told the increase in price was to stop people using the tip frequently.

Mr Reece said: “The minimum price per tonne has stayed the same at £62.10, but now the GMWDA has introduced a minimum price of half a tonne at £31.05.

“Previously, the rubbish would be weighed and traders would be charged for that. This still stands, but now this extra charge will be added to anything that weighs less than a tonne.”

He added: “I take grass cuttings and leaves to the tip, and when I went there recently I saw a notice highlighting the increase in price for tipping.

“Builder’s rate is different to gardener’s rate, and now the GMWDA has decided that no matter how small the load is the minimum charge will be £31.05 plus vat.

“This will be a nightmare for people who can’t afford it as it will encourage them to fly-tip anywhere, leaving places to stink.”

In response, a spokesman for GMWDA said: “We can confirm that a minimum half tonne charge has been brought in by Viridor Laing Greater Manchester (VLGM), from June 15, for non-contract waste (trade waste) at all facilities at which non-contract waste is accepted within Greater Manchester.

“This is an agreement within the 25 year Private Finance Initiative (PFI) waste and recycling Contract completed with VLGM on the April 8, 2009.

“Commercial customers have a wide choice in Greater Manchester of alternative facilities.

“These range from utilising the council trade waste services provided in each city and metropolitan council area or services from a range of alternative providers.

“Commercial customers have a choice of disposal facilities who will take general mixed waste and those who specialise in particular waste types.

“The range of collection and disposal operators can be found in Yellow pages, Thompson directory and other trader directories.”