Manchester hopes to improve recycling rates at HWRCs

In the report, which was discussed at a meeting of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) waste and recycling committee on 12 March, it is noted recycling rates at HWRCs in the area fell from the previous financial year, from 43.68% in 2018/19 to 41.89% in 2019/20.

However, this drop in performance was attributed to last summer’s adverse weather conditions.

And, the report highlights an improvement during the same period of the amount of material diverted from landfill. This grew from 77.92% in 2018/19 to 90.32% in 2019/20.

Diversion

The report reads: “At the HWRCs the combined recycling rate is at nearly 42%, with an increased diversion rate reaching over 90% across all HWRC sites.

“The overall household waste recycling performance at the HWRCs is currently lower than the same period for last year, however, the landfill diversion rate has significantly increased, by over 12%.

“The higher recycling rate for last year reflects the higher capture of green waste due to the dry weather in the summer; the same level of green waste arisings have not happened this year due to poorer weather conditions.

“Increased staffing levels combined with the introduction of new initiatives to capture carpets and mattresses for recycling from December 2019 will improve performance at the sites.”

HWRCs

A total of 20 HWRCs are in operation across Greater Manchester. These are operated across two separate contracts, both now held by Suez and worth more than £1 billion (see letsrecycle.com story).

Until May 2019, the HWRCs were run by Viridor. Since June 2019, they have been run by Suez, which holds a waste and resources management services contract and a household waste recycling centre management services contract with the GMCA.

In October 2019 it was reported the acquisition of the GMCA waste contracts had helped boost Suez’s financial results significantly (see letsrecycle.com story).

Communication

To boost recycling at HWRCs, a communications campaign was carried out by GMCA in mid-February. Adverts ran in newspapers advising residents on the best ways to use the sites and were supported by digital display advertising and social media.

Social media toolkits were provided to communications officers in each of the 10 districts which make up the GMCA.

And, it was noted that the threats and abuse of Suez staff at HWRC sites was covered in several BBC interviews throughout February. One serious assault which left an employee with a broken draw was addressed in particular (see letsrecycle.com story).