Bolton metropolitan borough council has collected nearly 3,700 tonnes of green waste in the last four months – more than double the amount collected during the summer last year.
However, the council said 112 tonnes of material – the equivalent of 12 full vehicles – have had to be thrown in landfills because it was contaminated with other materials.
Householders can put grass cuttings, leaves, twigs, prunings, hedge clippings, flowers and plants and uncooked fruit and vegetables in their green bin. But, they are being urged not to include plastic bags, bricks, stone, rubble, soil, pet waste, kitchen waste or general rubbish.
Care
Councillor Roger Hayes, executive member for environmental services said: “We are very encouraged by the efforts of so many Bolton residents to recycle. However, just a little more care when placing contents into the green bin will make such a significant difference.
“The green bin system is an easy and effective way for people to play a part in making a difference as far as the local environment is concerned. We hope everyone will continue to work with us and recycle as much as we can,” Cllr Hayes said.
Since July, Bolton has been running an alternate weekly collection system in which one week sees residual waste (in grey bins) and paper (in white bags) are collected, while the alternate week sees dry recyclables (green box), green waste (green bin) and paper (white bags) collected.
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