Three Rs boost for recycling

WASTE disposal chiefs have hailed increased recycling rates and say residents satisfaction with recycling centres is at an all-time high.

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) revealed the improvements in its annual report for 2010-11 .

It says a 3Rs campaign — Reduce, Re-use and Recycle — has increased the amount of waste diverted from landfill to 43 per cent, while Greater Manchester’s recycling and composting rate now stands at 37 per cent.

The satisfaction level of residents visiting the household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) across Greater Manchester has reached a near perfect 99.7 per cent, with the recycling and composting rate achieved at the super recycling sites increasing to 50 per cent from 21 per cent six years ago.

But the figures come after Beal Hey Recycling Centre, in Chandos Street, Shaw, was closed last month — as part of cost-cutting measures — to the anger of residents who say it makes it more difficult for them to recycle.

The report says GMWDA is continuing to build world-class waste management facilities with 31 out of 42 now complete, including the country’s first thermophyllic mechanical biological treatment – anaerobic digestion (MBT) facilities to treat waste and produce green energy at five sites, including Arkwright Street in Oldham.

Around 5,000 jobs were provided or sustained during the construction programme.

The authority has also scooped four national awards over the year. And the Community Waste Fund, a £50,000 grant to support organisations and charities with innovative ways of using waste as a resource, was also launched, making a difference to six projects.

Other initiatives include the Love Food Hate Waste campaign and the Stick it… in the right bin campaign.

GMWDA chairman Councillor Neil Swannick said: “We are particularly delighted with the work carried out this year. We will continue to deliver our recycling strategy, to ensure that Greater Manchester achieves zero waste.

“Our focus is to conserve materials, reduce carbon emissions and save the council-tax payer money by avoiding costly landfill tax.”

He added that the challenge ahead is to continue to meet targets while responding to government budget reductions.