Got a van? Get a permit! 2 June 2010

Got a van? Get a permit! 2 June 2010A flagship Permit Scheme to tackle abuse of the region’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) extends to Liverpool and Sefton from July 1st.

The crackdown means that, from July 1st, householders using a van, pick-up or large trailer will need a Permit to deposit household waste at Recycling Centres at Southport, Formby, Sefton Meadows, South Sefton and Otterspool.

The Scheme is designed to end abuse by commercial traders who avoid paying Landfill Tax by disposing their waste at Recycling Centres – at Council tax payers’ expense and follows a successful pilot on the Wirral. Those applying for Permits will need to supply their name, address and vehicle details to help weed out commercial and trade operators.

Merseyside Waste Disposal Authority Chairperson, Councillor Kevin Cluskey said: “Abuse of Recycling Centres by traders and commercial vehicles costs 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.

“ Householders applying for a Permit will find that getting one will be a quick and easy process.”

Any householder using a van, pick-up or large trailer will need to apply for a Permit before they visit the site by supplying their name, address and vehicle details to help weed out commercial and trade operators. Residents using such vehicles at any of the five centres should ring 0151 236 0305 or log onto www.merseysidewda.gov.uk before their next visit.

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 Director Carl Beer said: “Schemes like this already operate all over the country and we know from the success of our Wirral pilot that they can have a real impact on Merseyside too.”

”We hope that householders will appreciate that the scheme is trying to stop ‘freeloaders’ who are effectively being subsidised by local Council Tax payers.”

The Wirral pilot scheme launched in the borough’s three Recycling Centres last September resulted in an overall 7% drop in waste delivered to the sites – including a 26% reduction in the amount of rubble deposited over the traditionally quieter winter months.

It is estimated that the Permit Scheme will ultimately pay for itself, with savings achieved by reduced landfill costs more than covering the cost of operating the initiative.

Ends

Note to Editors

The permit scheme starts on July 1st 2010 at Southport, Formby, Sefton Meadows, South Sefton and Otterspool HWRCs.

Two types of permits will be available to residents using the centres. Every householder can apply for Annual Permit. This covers frequently arising waste like garden waste, newspapers, cans etc. If you want to dispose of bulky household items (TVs, furniture, rubble etc) you will need a Temporary Permit. Both Permits are free.

It is easy to apply for a Permit over the phone or on the website. Applicants should receive the Permit by post within 1-3 days. Each Permit will contain the applicant’s name, address and the registration number of the vehicle they plan to use.

Liverpool and Sefton residents should ring 0151 236 0305 or log on to www.merseysidewda.gov.uk for more details and to get a Permit.

Information on the scheme will also be available at all Liverpool and Sefton HWRC sites from 1st June via leaflets and posters, and adverts in local papers and on local radio.

MWDA is a local government body with nine elected members from the five constituent councils in Merseyside. It organises and manages disposal of all waste collected by the five councils and operates 14 Household Waste Recycling Facilities.