GMCA announces all household waste recycling centres will close to public

In accordance with government guidance on social distancing, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has announced that all Household Waste Recycling Centres in the city-region will close to the public.

Sites are operated by contractor, SUEZ, who will continue to operate the sites for treating waste from local councils’ bin collections.

Government guidance stipulates that all should stay at home, except for basic necessities such as food shopping and collecting medication.

In their statement on the recycling centre closure, GMCA said:

Over the weekend, we received over 46,000 visitors across the 20 Recycling Centres which made it extremely difficult to follow the government advice on social distancing. Our priority is to make sure our staff are safe and well and can continue to operate the waste disposal sites where council collection vehicles deliver waste and recycling from your household bin collections.

“Much of the waste that goes through the Recycling Centres is bulky waste (large items such as furniture, wood and metals) and garden waste.  People should hold onto these items until the sites reopen. Do not put any electrical items in any of your bins at home.

“Where possible people should compost grass cuttings and hedge trimmings and if you can’t do that keep your garden waste until we reopen.

“Please do not leave any waste outside the Recycling Centres – leaving waste outside the Recycling Centres or anywhere else is classed as fly tipping and is a criminal offence for which people will be prosecuted.