Borough Life Summer 2006: Eco-Friendly street bollards
Top Bollards: Totally “green” bollards being made in Lowton from recyclable plastic, meaning they can be recycled all over again at the end of their bollard days.
A deal to bring ‘green’ traffic bollards to the borough has been struck between Wigan Council and a company from Lowton.
Signature Ltd has signed up to supply eco-friendly models made from recyclable plastic. Dermot Desmond of Signature explains: “About seven out of 10 broken bollards end up in landfill, wasting valuable resources forever. Our process has rewritten the rules for recycling this kind of plastic.”
At one end of the Lowton production line, ground plastic granules are dropped into a machine to be heated-up and blow-moulded. And, hey presto, at the other end out comes a smooth, sturdy and low-maintenance bollard.
The bollards are guaranteed for at least a decade and reusable forever.
“We are delighted to be working with a local firm that provides value-for-money for council tax payers”, said council street scene and lighting boss Keith Benson. “Local jobs, reduced transport costs and a sustainable approach to resources really fits our bill.”
The electricity which illuminates the bollards, as well as powering all the borough’s streetlights, is green too – being generated by wind turbine power. And new photocell technology means their energy consumption has been cut by 40 per cent as they are able to respond to local lighting conditions.
Residents who want to do their own bit should head for the Slag Lane Recycling Centre in Leigh with all their plastic bottles