Previously a great deal of waste has been buried in the ground on “landfill” sites. However, we have now produced so much rubbish that we are running out of landfill space to put it in. Rotting rubbish in landfill also produces a lot of the gas methane, which is one of the gases contributing to climate change.
“Throwaway” culture leads to a huge waste of resources and means we are using the resources the earth provides us with at a far greater rate than they can be replaced because everything is used only once then thrown away. By looking at ways to cut down consumption and by recycling more we can help reduce the strain we put on the planet with our endless demands for new material goods.
Wigan Council is working hard to meet recycling and waste minimisation targets in a range of ways:
- The council has a Waste Management Strategy (.pdf, 675Kb) which outlines plans on how waste is to be minimised and recycling is to be increased across the borough.
- There are an increasing number of recycling sites around the borough where residents can recycle glass, plastic, tins, clothes, household items and much more.
- The council collects recycled paper, glass, cans, plastics, cardboard and garden waste from homes in the borough on top of the normal rubbish collections.
- The council also seeks to minimise waste in its own operations, including looking at more sustainable purchasing strategies which should aim to minimise waste from the very start of the product lifecycle.
The council’s waste and recycling pages provide more information on services provided in the borough and information about all the places where you can take things for recycling.
