Apply now for free van permit at waste and recycling centres

RESIDENTS can apply now for a free permit to take their own vans, pickups or twin axle trailers to recycling centres across Greater Manchester, ahead of new rules coming into effect on 1 December.

From next month, anyone wishing to use one of these vehicles to take domestic waste or recycling to a household waste and recycling centre will need to show a permit that proves they are not depositing trade waste. Cars will not be affected by the new scheme.

The new permit will allow a maximum of 18 visits over the year to dispose of household waste using one of these vehicles. Permits will also be required if using a short-term hire van, pickup truck or twin axle trailer.

The 20 household waste and recycling centres across Greater Manchester are paid for by council taxes and managed by SUEZ, and are for household waste that cannot go into recycling bins at home. Any trade or business waste is chargeable and must be disposed of at a licensed trade waste facility, either by setting up a business waste contract or by hiring a skip.

To make it easier for the SUEZ operatives to identify residents disposing of genuine household waste, anyone driving a van, pick-up truck or using a twin axle trailer will need to apply for the free permit.

Applicants must be a resident of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside, or Trafford. Once the application has been approved, a QR code will be provided that must be shown at the entrance to the recycling centre.

The new scheme will come into operation on Wednesday 1 December. For further information and to apply visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/vanpermit (opens link in new window).

Cllr Neil Emmott, Greater Manchester’s Green City-Region lead, said: “The new permit system being introduced across Greater Manchester is designed to prevent the illegal disposal of trade waste at our household waste and recycling centres. This has the added benefit of helping to increase recycling rates, because the materials being disposed of are not contaminated by waste that should have gone to a licensed facility.

“The illegal disposal of trade waste is estimated to cost local authorities around £5 million a year in unpaid fees. This new system will help us make sure that our recycling centres are able to serve residents making genuine trips – not people seeking to sidestep the rules.”

Recycling rates across the household recycling centres have increased by 10 per cent to 50 per cent overall since February 2020, partly thanks to new measures helping to prevent trade waste from being illegally dumped at the centres.

The current system uses a combination of automatic number plate recognition technology and CCTV to monitor suspected traders using any of the 20 centres.

Limits on the number of visits that residents can make remain in operation. Residents using standard cars are able to make 52 visits a year, while vans, pick-ups and double-axle trailers can make 18 visits a year.

John Wrigley, Regional Director for SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “This is the next step in driving down trade abuse across the recycling centres. The scheme will make the process much simpler and easier for both residents and our staff, enabling us to increase our recycling performance, with residents using the sites to dispose of their household waste.”

In addition to the permit scheme, other improvements made in recent months include new recycling containers for mattresses and carpets, and new donation containers where residents can donate household items such as furniture, bric-a-brac, books, games and toys that are suitable to be reused. These items are then sold in the new Renew Shops located at recycling centres in Oldham, Trafford and Salford, which help to raise money for the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and other local causes.

Article Published: 22/11/2021 15:14 PM