Bin collections just got greener

MIXING it up . . . employee Mick Jacques at the recycling facility at Waithlands, Rochdale

OLDHAMERS can do their bit to make the borough greener thanks to new waste collections.

From June 1, Oldham’s Waste Management Group will merge food and garden services to offer a weekly collection.

The switch means residents can mix food and garden waste together each week.

Councillor Mark Alcock, Cabinet member for environment and infrastructure, said: “The current system only allows citizens to recycle their food waste weekly and their garden waste fortnightly so the change to weekly collections is an improvement.”

The move has been made possible by the opening of a new facility in Rochdale which allows recycling of both.

Councillor Alcock added: “Over the past year, householders have helped Oldham become one of the best recycling councils in Greater Manchester. We are committed to making it as easy as possible for people to recycle. Last year, more than 11,500 tonnes of garden and food waste was collected in the borough, but by mixing the two together we hope to see a significant increase in organic waste being collected and recycled in the future.”

Information packs containing collection calendars, instruction leaflets and a food waste bags are being delivered to all households over the next few weeks.