Green dream year

Recycling bosses at Wigan Council want to thank residents across the borough for making 2006 a ‘dream green’ year - and are promising the best is yet to come.

New services and better facilities have meant that strict government targets have been exceeded by local people, who are increasingly making recycling part of their regular routine.

Wigan Council’s waste management boss, Dr Gary Taylor says:

“Residents have made 2006 an eco-friendly year, ensuring we smashed through the government’s 18% recycling target. In fact, over one fifth of all household waste in the borough is now recycled.”

With a site for bottles, cans and other materials within a mile of most homes, and fortnightly collections for paper and, in many areas, garden waste and clean brown cardboard, the team says there really isn’t any excuse for not recycling. And the government’s targets are being toughened up for next year.

Dr Taylor adds:

“Although this is a great achievement, residents expect more from us. We will deliver more as well, and in the next couple of years we’ll expand further the garden waste collections and introduce kerbside collection of glass, cans and plastic bottles for residents.”

Unfortunately, even dedicated recyclers often struggle at Christmas, and when glass banks are well used over the holidays, it is easy to be put off doing your bit.

“Have a good Christmas, but not a wasteful one,” says Dr Taylor. “All our household waste recycling centres will be open over the holidays, except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, for all your excess waste and recyclables. As the environment continues to move up the political and public agenda, let’s build on our 2006 success with a really good and green 2007.”

Real Christmas trees can be recycled with your garden waste collection during January, and cards can be taken to Tesco’s and WH Smith’s for recycling throughout January, as well as to any of the borough’s household waste recycling centres (except Orrell).