Got a van? Get a permit!
Merseyside waste officers are cracking down on the illegal disposing of trade waste as Wirral Recycling Centres become the first on Merseyside to introduce a permit scheme.
The crackdown means that, from October 1st, anyone using a van or large trailer will need a permit to deposit household waste at West Kirby, Bidston and Clatterbridge Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).
The scheme is designed to end abuse by commercial traders who avoid paying Landfill Tax by disposing their waste at HWRCs – at Wirral Council tax payers’ expense. Those applying for permits will need to supply their name, address and vehicle details to help weed out commercial and trade operators.
Wirral residents using such vehicles at any of these three HWRCs should ring 0151 236 0305 or log onto www.merseysidewda.gov.uk before their next visit.
Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority Councillor Kevin Cluskey said: “Abuse of Recycling Centres by traders and commercial vehicles costs Wirral Council tax payers thousands of pounds a year and we won’t tolerate it anymore.
“There is no perfect solution to stop traders trying to get onto our sites, but a number of waste authorities are already operating similar initiatives around the country and have found that permit schemes are the best weapon in the war against the abusers.
“Applying for a permit will be a quick and painless process.”
From October 1st, householders delivering waste to Wirral HWRCs by van or a large trailer will need a free permit to use the site.
It is hoped the scheme will also reduce congestion at the three Centres and improve safety by reducing movement of large vehicles.
Householders visiting in ordinary saloon or estate cars/people carriers will not need permits unless they have blanked out windows or permanently removed rear seats. Pick-up trucks will be classed as vans and will need permits.
MWDA will closely monitor this phase of the scheme before deciding whether to roll it out across the rest of Merseyside.
