WRG was awarded the 10-year contract to manage the council's household waste recycling centres in November. Since then, the company has introduced a number of initiatives including the recycling of green waste, wood, soil and rubble which has seen recycling increase from 4% six months ago to 36% in June.
The company has set up the new schemes in addition to the paper, glass, oil and gas cylinder recycling facilities that already existed. And WRG has installed steps and raised walkways to make it easier for members of the public to recycle their waste. The company has also introduced roll-on roll-off containers.
In June, more than 2,300 tonnes of material was recycled at the centres which compares with 190 tonnes which was recovered this time last year. Green waste is composted at a new facility at the Amberswood Recycling Centre and wood is shredded and sold to manufacturers of chipboard products. Soil, gravel and rubble are taken to a re-processesing plant to produce secondary aggregates and soils.
Steve Jennings, managing director of WRG’s North Western Division, said: “Things are going well. We are on target to deliver the service and recycling that we had promised Wigan Council. But this is only the start of what we want to do for Wigan.”
WRG is currently submitting a second planning application for a new transfer station and recycling centre which, if approved, should enable over 40% of Wigan’s waste to be recovered.
A spokesman for Wigan Council said: “We are delighted with the progress made to date. Wigan is on track to be one of the best recyclers of its domestic waste in the country.”
Register for free to comment