Residents can now have bulky waste items removed from their homes again, after the council reintroduced a collection service which was suspended due to coronavirus.
Large items such as electrical appliances and furniture can be taken away, for a small fee, using Bolton Council’s contractor Bulky Bobs.
Although local Recycling Centres have recently re-opened in Bolton, residents are not yet able to take large bulky items for disposal.
The move means people who have been storing large items at home during the crisis will now have a safe and affordable means of disposing of them.
Cllr Adele Warren, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “This is welcome news for our residents who have been waiting patiently for a number of weeks for an opportunity to get rid of large bulky items safely and responsibly.
“It was a difficult decision to suspend these collections and we did so in order to ensure the safety of the public and staff during the outbreak.
“We’ve now carried out the necessary risk assessments and put safety measures in place so we can get this service moving again.”
To arrange a bulky waste collection call 01204 336632. Collections will start again on Tuesday (May 26).
For more information on the items we can collect please visit www.bolton.gov.uk/loverecycling. .
Please note that all items must be left outside the property for collection – staff will not be able to enter people’s homes to remove items.
The charge is £32 for up to five items, and £64 for six to 10 items, and payment is by credit or debit card only.
Cllr Warren added: “I would like to thank our residents for their patience and understanding in recent weeks when this service has not been available. Many people have done the safe and responsible thing and held onto their items of bulky waste until collections restart.
“This is another positive step forward on the road back to normality.”
Residents are also being urged to do their bit and dispose of waste safely - especially if they are displaying symptoms of the virus or are using PPE such as face masks/coverings and tissues.
Used tissues and disposable facemasks/coverings should be double bagged, tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being placed in your grey bin.
Recycling centres are now open at Raikes Lane (seven days a week, 8am to 6pm) and Salford Road (weekends only – Saturdays 8am to 6pm, Sundays 10am to 4pm). The sites are only accepting general waste, garden waste, wood and cardboard.
A traffic management system based on vehicle number plates is also in operation. This means you can only visit recycling centres on certain days depending on the last number on your vehicle number plate.
Check the Recycle For Greater Manchester website before travelling to see whether it’s an odd or an even day and for details of other restrictions in place.