Recycling, rubbish and waste
Almost everything we do creates waste and as a society we are
currently producing more waste than ever before. By recycling
waste we stop it going to landfill saving resources and cutting
down on costs.
Recycle, Reduce, Reuse - The 3Rs
When waste cannot be reduced, or re-used, recycling is a way of
preventing it from going to landfill.
Recycle
There are two types of recycling collections available to
residents:
Alternate Week Collection: Most residents who
live within the borough of Rochdale have an Alternate Week
Collection of glass bottles and jars, cans and plastic bottles in
either a 140 or 240 litre wheeled bin as well as a mixed paper and
cardboard collection. Please note: This does not apply to the Farm
or Rural round collections who are still on the green box.
Garden Waste: A Garden Waste Recycling scheme
is also available to those residents whose waste is collected in a
refuse vehicle. Please note: This does not apply to the Farm or
Rural round collections.
There are also a number of recycling sites across the borough
where you can take your glass bottles and jars, textiles, paper,
plastic bottles, cans and shoes to recycle.
We provide facilities for recycling a wide range of materials
both from kerbside collections and 'bring sites'. Contact details
and locations are available at the links below.
Reduce
Find out how you can reduce the amount of rubbish in your
bin.
Tips for reducing waste:
- Make your own lunch - not only does it save you money but it
also saves on packaging.
- Hire rather than buy DVDs and videos, tools and so on. It saves
on storage too!
- Use you local library instead of buying books.
- Avoid purchasing things that are used once, (such as batteries)
and think about using re-chargeable ones. Use real nappies,
handkerchiefs instead of tissues, cotton cloths rather than kitchen
roll, canvas shopping bags in place of plastic shopping bags.
- Take advantage of the Mail Preference Service. You can sign up
online or telephone 020 7291 3310 to stop junk mail coming through
your door.
- Send an e-card or email to cut down on paper usage.
- Try to avoid printing everything and think about using both
sides of the paper if possible.
- Try not to fill your bin with air and squash non-recyclable
packaging whenever possible.
Reuse
Check out our tips for reusing items or select a charity shop
and take your unwanted item along so that they can be used by
someone else. Bulky items such as sofas, mattresses, carpets, beds
and so on can also be re-used by advertising them for sale.
Tips for reusing waste
- Plastic bottles can be re-used time after time by
refilling.
- Each household produces three to four glass bottles and jars
every week. Glass jars, such as jam jars and coffee jars can be
cleaned and re-used as storage jars.
- Large plastic bottles can be used in the garden to protect
young plants and provide water reservoirs for older plants.
- Rather than buy new why not mend, reupholster, or restore old
furniture or appliances.
- Take your old supermarket carrier bags with you on your next
visit and reuse them or use the recycle carrier bag facility if
available, or use them as bin liners.
In Rochdale there are two organisations where residents can
advertise their unwanted items for FREE.
- Freecycle - A non-profit
movement of people who are giving (and getting) stuff for free
in their own towns.
- FREEuse - A site run by
Rochdale Online.