The council encourages residents to recycle as many materials as possible and provides services and facilities to help people to do this. There are fortnightly collections from residents' homes of paper and (and for many properties) garden waste, glass, cans and plastics. In addition, there is a large network of easily accessible recycling points, often at supermarkets and pubs, where a variety of materials can be easily recycled as people travel around or go to the shops to buy further items. There are also five household waste recycling centres around the borough where residents can take their domestic rubbish for recycling. Please use these facilities and help support recycling in Wigan Borough.
The council collects paper from households across the borough. Collections are on the same day as regular bin collections, but every two weeks. Residents should place old newspapers, magazines, catalogues and papers in their recycling sack next to their wheelie bin for collection. For additional or replacement sacks please telephone us on 01942 404364.
There are also collections of garden waste from many households. These are also fortnightly, on the same day as the paper collection. Please use the green wheelie bin for grass cuttings, leaves and cut branches. You can also use it for clean brown cardboard - but not plastics or food of any kind. Residents involved in the scheme receive a full calendar of collections each year. For those properties not involved, the council's partners in WRAP, the government's recycling agency (external link), have special home composter bins available at discount prices.
A new service is being trialled in spring 2008 for dry recyclables - glass, cans and plastics - which are collected every two weeks from 13,000 properties in new brown bins. Residents involved in this trial will receive information and a free bin during February 2008.
Follow the links to the left to learn more about these services.
Local services
You can find recycling facilities for items such as glass bottles and food tins close to where you live. They are often located alongside shops and supermarkets, so where possible, please take your empties back on the next occasion that you go shopping.
There's also a chance to win £200 for you and £200 for a local school in the council's can recycling competition.
Household waste recycling centres
There are five household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) where residents can take a wide range of materials, including items that cannot be accepted at the roadside banks.
The council has introduced a permit system for vans and cars with large trailers visiting the HWRCs. Household waste brought in a car can continue to be brought to the recycling centres. However householders bringing any van or twin axle trailer to deposit household waste will need a free permit which must be applied for in advance. Trade waste is not permitted.
Thank you for supporting recycling in Wigan Borough.
