Half a million vehicles visit Wigan recycling centres during pandemic

Like many other recycling centres in England, the borough's three facilities closed briefly last March as an early response to the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic.

However, measures were put in place which allowed the sites at Kirkless in Higher Ince, Slag Lane in Leigh and Chanters Industrial Estate at Atherton to re-open on April 17 2020.

Since then FCC Environment, which operates the centres in partnership with Wigan Council, has been running the sites slightly differently to keep both staff and the public safe.

These measures are still in place to make sure everyone is socially distanced when they visit to drop off rubbish.

FCC Environment said its hard work is clearly paying off, with the milestone of 500,000 visits showing how valued the service is by borough residents.

Louise Atherton, contract monitoring officer at Wigan Council, said: “Reaching this milestone is all down to the hard work and dedication of the staff who have helped keep the sites open and safe. The sites are busier now than they have ever been, putting greater pressure on site staff.

“Residents are asked to help the site staff by coming during the week if possible as there are long queues at the weekend."

FCC Environment contract manager Barry Elder said, “The sites are still busy as we are able to welcome less cars at one time than before so one practical step residents can take for themselves is to pre-sort their recyclables and waste materials as they are loading the vehicles and this will make it easier for us to get you in and out of site quickly and safe, which we hope will in turn reduce queues.”

Following the Government’s Covid-19 guidance, residents are asked to only visit if it is essential and must show a driving licence to prove they live in the borough.

Visitors to the recycling centres are also asked to pre-sort waste before attending.

Cars and vans are allowed but all vans or similar vehicles, pick-ups, minibuses and campervans require a free permit. No trailers are currently allowed on site

Only one person per vehicle is allowed to unload unless otherwise agreed with a member of staff and no physical assistance can be provided.

Residents also have to keep socially-distanced while wearing a face covering is recommended

If residents have medical waste this should be placed in their black bin and the excess waste brought to site, while asbestos deliveries must be booked in advance and can only be deposited at the Kirkless Recycling Centre on Makerfield Way on Saturdays with an appointed timeslot issued.

No trade waste is accepted at any of the recycling centres.

Mr Elder said: “There has been an increasing need for domestic recycling of essential items and it’s important that the necessary services are in place, but they must be safe for everyone.

"That includes both essential keyworker staff operating the site and members of the public using the facilities so we must remind residents that normal lockdown protocols and social distancing practices apply."

About 107,000 people in the waste and resource management industry have been identified by the Government as key workers.

Among them are 18 people operating the Wigan household recycling centres on behalf of the council.

The borough's three recycling centres are open daily from 9am until 5:45pm.

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