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Residents

Can I bring my neighbours/friends/relatives waste?

You can bring a relative, friend or neighbour’s waste to a HWRC, as long as they are also a Greater Manchester resident, and it is household domestic waste. However, any visits you make to a HWRC in your vehicle, whether with your or other people’s waste, will still count towards your allowable number of visits.

I’m using a hire vehicle, how does that count against the allowable number of visits?

Hire vehicles, whether vans or cars, will be subject to the same visit allowances. If you are using a hire vehicle, please bring your hire documents with you, as well as proof of address.

I’m doing DIY on my house so I need to visit more frequently than once a week, what should I do?

The policy allows you to visit up to 52 times in a year in a standard car. Even if you need to visit more often while you’re doing DIY on your home, your visits will be averaged out over the year.

Is the restriction of 52 visits per vehicle? How does this number change if I have a double axel trailer?

Yes, the 52-visit limit is per vehicle. Your vehicle registration will be displayed as you enter the HWRC, this will be monitored across all 20 sites and we will be alerted if you exceed this number of visits in a year.

If you have a double axel trailer, you will be able to visit using the trailer up to 18 times in one year. Those 18 visits count towards, not in addition to, the total 52 visit limit for your car.

Do I need to keep a record of my number of visits?

No. To keep our HWRCs user-friendly we have introduced a new automatic number plate recognition system that will monitor the number of times each vehicle has used one of our HWRCs. New digital display boards at the entrance will show your registration number as you enter, the number of visits will be calculated on a central system.

When a vehicle is highlighted as a trigger, what are the enhanced checks?

When a visitor is suspected of being a trader due to a very high frequency of visits we will investigate the type of waste that they are disposing of and provide information about how and where to dispose of trade waste safely, legally and in the best way for the environment. Our system also records the vehicle as belonging to a suspected trader which enables us to closely monitor the vehicle if it is uses other HWRCs.

I have to visit the Recycling Centre more than once a week because I can’t fit all my general waste in my bin, what happens when I use up all my 52 visits?

You can visit more than once a week as long as you don’t go over 52 visits in a year. Residents disposing of household waste who go over the threshold will be directed to their local council for further advice and support on how to manage their waste and to check they have all the recycling bins available to them..

What size are the 5 rubble bags allowed per visit? Is it based on weight or size?

You are allowed to bring five average sized rubble sacks or bags per visit, approximately 900mm x 600mm. This is designed to stop traders illegally using HWRCs to dispose of large quantities of rubble.   

Why are you restricting residents?

We have a problem with some traders using the HWRCs illegally to dispose of trade waste for free – this costs taxpayers’ money to deal with, and limits how much we can recycle across Greater Manchester. We have brought in this policy to address this issue and the only way we can implement it is by allocating a number of visits per vehicle. Residents in a standard car can visit up to 52 times a year which will still give you plenty of access to dispose of and recycle your household waste.

How will you prevent this new policy increasing fly tipping?

Greater Manchester wide communications will focus on traders’ and residents’ duty of care; Your duty of care is about your responsibility as a trader and as a resident with regards to the waste you produce. The new policy will not simply ban suspected traders from using the HWRC, they will be signposted to other facilities and provided with information on how to dispose of their waste responsibly and in a legally compliant way. In addition, enforcement teams will be working together across Greater Manchester to monitor fly tipping and they will investigate and prosecute where appropriate.

How are the recycling rates on the signs at the HWRC’s calculated? Why have they decreased?

The new signs at the Household waste recycling centres (HWRC) show the recycling rate for each site.

Previously the rate displayed was for the combined rate of recycling, composting of garden waste and waste sent for energy recovery. The new signs are much clearer and only show the waste that has been recycled. You can help to increase this rate by making sure you use the right container for your waste. If you’re not sure, please ask one of the SUEZ site operatives who will be happy to help.

Why has the limit been set at 52 visits for a standard car?

This has been set as a high level initially because the policy is not designed to stop residents from using the HWRCs but to deter traders. The level will be reviewed once the policy has bedded in.

When were the height barriers installed?

The 2 metre high (6ft) barriers were installed approximately 10 years ago. Before that the height barriers were set at 5ft 9. 

How was the policy approved?

At the GMCA meeting in September 2019 by unanimous approval from all council leaders.

What happens to the vehicle data and where is the data stored, who is the data shared with?

We are currently in a testing phase of the ANPR, when the policy starts in February the vehicle data will be stored securely at SUEZ’s regional office for one year. The data will only be used for investigating traders.

If a resident goes to the recycling centre 52 times in a year, what happens on the 53rd visit?

It would not get to that point, the ANPR would identify abnormal behaviour (e.g. visiting every day or 3 or 4 times a week). This would lead to a conversation with a SUEZ operative to investigate if the waste is household. If trade waste is identified, the trader would be directed to the appropriate licenced site with a weighbridge so they can pay for their waste disposal.

If the waste is household waste, you will be directed to your local council for further advice and support on how to manage their waste and to check they have all the recycling bins available to them.

The policy is to deter traders and allows identification of those using the sites illegally. It is not to stop residents using the recycling centres.

Traders

I’m a trader but I use my work van to dispose of my own household waste, can I use the Recycling Centre?

Yes, as long as you are only bringing household waste from your own home. Vans under 3.5 tonnes are limited to 18 visits per year, and vans over 3.5 tonnes are limited to 12 visits per year.

I run my business from home and sometimes I have extra waste to get rid of, can I use the Recycling Centre?

No, waste generated from any commercial activity should be disposed of through the proper channels. You must pay for disposal of your business waste by taking it to a licenced facility that can accept trade waste (visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/business) or arrange for a commercial collection of your business waste by an authorised waste carrier. Your local council may offer a commercial waste collection service and there are many businesses offering services across Greater Manchester – you can search for local providers online.