Under the new model, residents with vans and twin axle trailers can instead of waiting for permits to arrive by post, apply on the council’s website via their ‘MyAccount’ for a permit. If the application is accepted they will receive an email with a reference number and a barcode to scan.
Residents then take their mobile or a print out of their permit to the HWRC and have their individual QR code scanned on site within seven days of the permit being issued.
Anyone using the service will need to take two forms of identification such as a driving licence and utility bill as My Account “can be set up by anyone”, the council said.
Currently, residents must phone the council’s call centre or log online, before the permit is sent via post.
Ian Burns, Wigan Council’s waste disposal and strategy manager, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to dispose of their waste.
“Not only will the electronic permits save time and make it more efficient but the identification at sites across the borough should also prevent misuse of the waste permits by traders illegally disposing of their waste.
“More and more people are heading online and we appreciate that speed and convenience is key to making peoples’ lives that bit easier.”
The new permits are part of Wigan Council’s digital first strategy and in line with the many ways it is looking to “improve the customer journey and make efficiencies”.
Wigan’s HWRCs are operated by FCC Environment.
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