Recycling centres across Greater Manchester, including Trafford, are set to re-open in a bid to help residents dispose of their waste during the lockdown period.
In Trafford the site at Woodhouse Lane, off Sinderland Road, Altrincham, will open every day of the week from 8am to 6pm, starting Saturday 2 May, with restrictions in place to protect the health of residents and staff.
However, the centre at Chester Road, Stretford, will remain closed until further notice.
At last week’s Greater Manchester COVID-19 Emergency Committee, the nine councils that make up the Greater Manchester Waste Authority agreed to reopen some recycling centres.
The decision was taken in accordance with government guidelines and is based on staffing, accessibility, and the agreement of traffic management plans with local authorities.
Reopening is being carefully planned and managed, with the involvement of Greater Manchester Police (GMP).
Among the criteria being taken into account are staffing arrangements at waste disposal facilities operated by SUEZ, with more staff deployed to handle the increased volume of waste and recycling picked up during household bin collections.
Trafford Council Leader and Greater Manchester Combined Authority Lead for the Green City–Region, Cllr Andrew Western, said:
We’re asking people to be sensible and help us reopen in the safest way possible.
I want to thank all of the waste collection teams who’ve adapted to this current situation and continued to provide a bin collection service to our residents throughout this period.
We recognise that there have been challenges, but there’s no excuse for illegally disposing of waste and creating a potential health or environmental hazard.”
Cllr Stephen Adshead, Trafford Council’s Executive Member for Air Quality, Environment and Climate Change, said:
This is great news – and will really help residents dispose of their waste safely and responsibly.
I understand the difficulties people have faced managing their waste at this time – so I welcome the decision to open the Altrincham site, however, this is not a return to normal. We would ask the public to limit their journeys and only travel to the centre if it is absolutely essential to do so.
In addition, it’s extremely important visitors comply with the government’s social distancing guidelines - and stay two metres apart.”
The centre will accept bagged general waste only, and will be open to residents who show proof of address, such as a utility bill.
The number of cars allowed on to site will be limited, with one person allowed out of their vehicle to dispose of their waste.
A traffic control system will also be introduced based on odd and even number plates.
It will work on a four week rota to limit the amount of traffic visiting the centres and limit the potential for staff and the public to be exposed to the virus.
Information about how to manage and dispose of waste, and the latest updates on household waste recycling centres, can be found at www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com.
Posted on Tuesday 28th April 2020