Gear up for bike re-use

Don’t throw your bike away, give it a new lease of life in time for Bike Week

Is your bike ready for Bike Week? (15^th June-23^rd June 2013.)  Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) is helping residents no matter what their age to get back on their bike, by partnering with bike re-use organisations across Greater Manchester to host Doctor Bike events.  The events will offer FREE health checks to fix minor repairs such as a puncture and the option to donate any unwanted bikes. 

On average, 624 bikes are thrown away per year in Greater Manchester that could have been re-used.  R4GM would like to reduce the amount of bikes that are thrown away by letting people know there are alternative options.

A Cy-tech trained bike mechanic will be on hand to check the bikes over and give advice on bike maintenance. Residents are also being encouraged to bring bikes they have outgrown or worn out and donate them to a bike re-use project. The bikes are then   repaired and refurbished in a number of projects, including, youth schemes, art projects, as well as providing people with training skills for future employment.

Councillor Neil Swannick, Chair of Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) said: “We would like to encourage Greater Manchester residents to think about using their bike again and by providing Doctor Bike mechanics we aim to reduce the amount that are thrown out, as well as  helping people to lead a healthier lifestyle.  We would like residents to be aware of the local bike re-use organisations that accept bicycles and ensure they are re-used or recycled in the community by the community. “

Don’t forget the Doctor Bike and donation events are not just happening during Bike Week, there are events right through to the end of September. Visit www.recycleforgreatermanchester.com/bikes to find out when and where your nearest event is, and also for details on how to donate bikes throughout the year.

Notes to Editors

Recycle for Greater Manchester is a partnership between Viridor Laing (Greater Manchester) Limited (VLGM) and the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA), encouraging all residents of Greater Manchester to reduce, re-use and recycle more and help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The Greater Manchester zero waste initiative will save around 400,000 tonne of CO₂ per year.

GMWDA provides recycling and waste disposal services for 1,009,815 households in Bolton, Bury, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Tameside and Trafford. It handles around 5% of national municipal waste.

VLGM is a joint venture company owned by Viridor, a subsidiary of Pennon Group PLC, and John Laing PLC, who have come together to deliver a 25 year Recycling and Waste Management Contract.

VLGM provides facilities and services to manage householders waste in an environmentally and economically sustainable manner. This involves the reception, treatment and disposal of waste to increase levels of recycling, composting and recovery and reduce waste sent to landfill.