Waste levy

The GMCA (Greater Manchester Combined Authority) are responsible for the management and disposal of municipal waste from Greater Manchester (formerly known as Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority). We handle around 4% of the UK’s municipal waste. This is approximately 1.1 million tonnes of waste and recycling each year from over a million households from the metropolitan districts of Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford (Wigan operate as a unitary authority and administers its own disposal arrangements).

Each of the councils are responsible for the collection of household waste. GMCA receives funding from a levy on the 9 Greater Manchester local authorities to pay for the processing and disposal of this waste. The levy funds the operation of a network of waste and recycling management facilities in Greater Manchester; including:

• 20 Household Waste and Recycling Centres
• 7 Transfer Loading Stations where council vehicles deliver household waste and recycling
• A Materials Recovery Facility where mixed recycling is sorted
• 5 Mechanical Treatment and Reception Facilities where general waste is prepared and delivered to the Energy Recovery Facility in Runcorn
• A Thermal Recovery Facility

The recycling rate for waste from households in Greater Manchester in 2018/19 was 47.9%.

Our aims

• 55% household recycling by 2025
• 60% recycling across the 20 Household Waste Recycling Centres by 2021

• At least 90% diversion from landfill by 2021

The GMCA Waste and Resources Team oversee the operation of the facilities.

In support of these aims, behavioural change campaigns and education are delivered under our public-facing brand, Recycle for Greater Manchester. 

Budget 2021/22

Budget 2020/21

Further information

Website: recycleforgreatermanchester.com (opens in a new tab)

Tel: 0161 778 7110

Email: Gmwaste@greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk