​Bury binmen show heavy mettle!

Bury’s hard-working binmen have been collecting more domestic waste than ever during the coronavirus lockdown.

Figures for April show that tonnages across the four household waste streams have increased by 26% compared to the same month last year.

Altogether, some 6,708 tonnes of waste were collected last month:

• Grey (non-recyclable) bins - 2,659 tonnes, up 22%
• Blue (glass/plastic bottles/aluminium/steel cans) bins - 1,027 tonnes, up 20%
• Green (paper/cardboard) bins - 680 tonnes, up 13%
• Brown (food/garden) bins - 2,342 tonnes, up 38%.

Councillor Alan Quinn, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Our binmen have done a fantastic job during this crisis, especially as more rubbish is being generated by people being at home for longer as workplaces and schools have been closed or restricted.

“We have kept all four household bin collections going, despite our staff being affected by the same health risks and lockdown rules as everyone else, and have retrained council staff from other departments to bolster the service.

“Like all those who are providing the frontline services people need at this time, they deserve a huge thanks. Please remember to recycle all you can and if you do have to use our Household Waste Recycling Centres then please make sure to visit the website first: https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/”

For information about bin collections in Bury, and to sign up for email reminders of collection days, go to www.buryh.gov.uk/recycling

ENDS

Press release issued: 14 May 2020.

Picture: Tom Nolan, one of our many bin heroes.