Waste amnesty tour of Wigan Borough set to get underway

Waste amnesty tour of Wigan Borough set to get underway

A new environmental initiative aimed at boosting recycling rates and tackling fly-tipping is set to make an impact across Wigan Borough.

Wigan Council’s waste amnesty days will visit each ward over the next four months, helping residents get rid of unwanted items and keeping our borough beautiful.

Items such as old and worn furniture and excess waste can be dropped off, all for free. Council teams will be on hand to help out and answer questions.

The schedule kicks-off with visits to Leigh and Ince from Monday, 15 May.

The initiative is in addition to the expansion of the free bulky waste collection service – announced by the local authority earlier this year.

Councillor Paul Prescott, cabinet portfolio holder for environment, said: “We are working to make it as easy as possible for people to responsibly dispose of their waste, as part of our Litter Prevention Strategy, to reduce litter and fly-tipping across our borough.

“We are all responsible for keeping our borough clean and alongside the expanded free bulky waste collections, the waste amnesty days will make it even easier for our communities to get rid of their unwanted items.”

The waste amnesty days will be part of a wider week of action in each ward, with a litter pick, street sweeping and other activities.

The waste amnesty day will be held on each Monday, with a skip returning on each Thursday for anyone who could not make the first day.

During the rest of the week, council teams will be out in the local area carrying out cleaning and maintenance works, including clearing fly-tipping and litter picking.

They will be advertised ahead of each pair of amnesty days on the council’s website, on the council’s social media and with leaflets delivered to nearby homes.

The full schedule:

• 15th - 19th May: Ince (Brookhouse Terrace) and Leigh West (across two sites on the junction of Plank Lane/Heath Lane and on Common Lane)
• 22nd - 26th May: Atherton North and Pemberton
• 5th - 9th June: Tyldesley & Mosley Common and Douglas
• 12th - 16th June: Hindley and Winstanley
• 19th - 23rd June: Leigh South and Wigan Central
• 26th - 30th June: Bryn with Ashton-in-Makerfield North and Standish with Langtree
• 3rd - 7th July: Abram and Shevington with Lower Ground & Moor
• 10th - 14th July: Lowton East and Worsley Mesnes
• 17th - 21st July: Atherton South & Lilford and Wigan West
• 24th July - 28th July: Astley and Orrell
• 31st July - 4th August: Golborne & Lowton and Ashton-in-Makerfield South
• 7th - 11th August: Leigh Central & Higher Folds and Aspull, New Springs, Whelley
• 14th - 18th August: Hindley Green

Find out more about what you can bring at Waste and Recycling Amnesty Days 2023.

If your unwanted item is in re-useable condition, the council is asking people to consider giving it to someone who could use it, whether that’s family, friends, or a community group or charity, before throwing it away.

If you cannot attend the waste amnesty days in your area, remember you can dispose of up to five bulky waste items, twice in any 12-month period for free too.