Access policy for recycling centres
Wigan Council and its contractor FCC Environment operate a recycling centre access policy. This policy helps to reduce congestion, increase site safety, and prevent the illegal deposition of trade waste at the centres. On arrival at the recycling centre, the meet and greet attendant will inspect the items you wish to deposit. You will be asked to show your driving licence as proof of Wigan Borough address.
The recycling centres are for Wigan Borough residents only. The usage of the recycling centres is monitored, and suspected abuse will be investigated, and a permit may be withdrawn as a result. FCC Environment reserve the right to refuse access to anyone not complying with the access policy or attempting to deposit trade waste.
Trade waste is not permitted at any of the recycling centres, this includes waste from traders, landlords or property developers. Depositing trade waste at a Wigan Borough recycling centre may amount to the commission of a criminal offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.
Please load your vehicle safely and try to separate your waste before visiting one of the recycling centres. This will help us to re-use, recycle and compost as much of the waste as possible at the recycling centres because these treatments are almost always cheaper and better for the environment.
The health and safety of site users is our top priority. Please ensure all children and animals stay within the vehicle whilst on site.
Slag Lane and Chanters Recycling Centres
Household waste will be accepted in:
- A car with or without a single axle trailer up to 3 metres long*
- A van under 3.5 tonnes with or without a single axle trailer up to 3 metres long* with a permit
- A car or van under 3.5 tonnes with a twin axle trailer (up to 3m long) with a permit.
*Trailer length is measured from the hitch to the end of the trailer.
Please Note: Residents visiting Slag Lane are advised to approach from the Lowton side.
Kirkless Recycling Centre
Household waste will be accepted in:
- A car with or without a single axle trailer up to 4 metres long*
- A van under 3.5 tonnes with or without a single axle trailer up to 4 metres long* with a permit
- A car or van under 3.5 tonnes with a twin axle trailer (up to 4m long) with a permit.
*Trailer length is measured from the hitch to the end of the trailer.
Access Restrictions
- Only adults to unload the vehicle. Please keep children and pets inside the vehicle
- A driving licence is required for proof of Wigan Borough residency
- Vehicles over 3.5 tonnes will not be allowed at any of the Recycling centres
- Vehicles will not be allowed to use a tipping mechanism at any of the Recycling Centres, vehicles must be manually unloaded
- Trailers over 4 metres will not be allowed at any of the Recycling Centres
- Trailers over 3 metres long will not be allowed at Slag Lane or Chanters Recycling Centre
- Anyone deemed to be using abusive or intimidating behaviour will not be allowed to use any of the Recycling Centres
- Pedestrians will not be allowed to carry waste onto any of the Recycling Centres
- 5 mph speed limits apply at all sites.
A waste permit allows you ONE visit to the recycling centre. You can request 3 types of permits:
*If you only have a small amount of garden waste which exceeds one bins worth, then please apply for a standard waste permit and select garden waste from the drop-down menu.
Hire vehicles
Hire your vehicle then order your free waste recycling permit. When attending the recycling centre, please take your hire vehicle documents, waste permit and driving licence with you.
Permit monitoring
The permit system is monitored. We will review the number of visits made by individual residents and/or vehicles to the recycling centre and we may contact you if it appears that the number of visits you or your vehicle make might suggest activity more like that of a trader than a householder.
Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and CCTV is in place across all sites to monitor vehicle visits.