There are huge costs with everything that goes into grey bins

Ms Liptrot asks “If all the refuse is burned, what are the landfill costs? What actually goes to landfill in Bolton?” Bolton’s grey bin waste is sent for incineration, which is converted to energy to help offset costs, rather than being directly buried in the ground. However, the costs that we are charged is based upon the amount of waste that is actually collected in the grey bin, rather than what is physically buried.

I understand that the term landfill tax can be misleading in this context. The important thing to remember is that there are huge costs with everything that goes into grey bins. Much of this can be recycled, but isn’t being so at present.

This is why the council has made the decision to further reduce non-recyclable waste by bringing in the slimmer bins. We are only three months into the roll out, and already over £300,000 has been saved in costs, due to the sharp drop in grey bin waste.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those thousands of people who have been part of this success. There will be more information on this as the roll out continues. I am pleased that Ms Liptrot visited the recycling facility at Hurstwood Court, at Raikes Lane, as she and others will have received a very informative presentation on recycling and how it all works, and I would encourage other Bolton residents and groups to enquire into visiting this centre as well.

Cllr Nick Peel

Executive Member for Environmental Services