Introduce yourself:
My name is Jenny Loran and I am the service development manager for waste management. The team is responsible for a range of services from the weekly waste and recycling collections, as well as garden and clinical waste collections, to overseeing two household waste recycling centres and more besides.
Why do we need a new recycling centre?
Our recycling centres at Freemen's Common and Bridge Road have been in use for many years, but a long time ago it was recognised that the Bridge Road site would not be able to meet the demands of Leicester's growing population. Following a successful bid for government funding in 2012, we built a new state-of-the-art household waste recycling centre at Gypsum Close, which opened in April. It's over five times the size of the Bridge Road site and offers residents greater recycling facilities and a 'reuse shop',run by LOROS.
The site also has a dedicated trade waste facility, so local businesses can dispose of their waste in a safe and responsible way at competitive prices.
Tell us about the partnership with LOROS
We've partnered with the charity LOROS to run the new reuse shop, so people can pass on items that are "too good to tip". The shop has a dedicated drop off point for donations and a large shop floor for residents to browse and pick up a bargain.
LOROS has an on-site workshop so items can be cleaned,repaired and tested before being sold on. They can accept a wide range of items from bric-a-brac and bicycles to microwaves and wardrobes - and even paint!
What else are you working on?
We are always looking at what our I residents want and need when it comes to the waste and recycling services we offer. It was through feedback from residents that we introduced our new garden waste collection last year. This fortnightly kerbside service has proved popular with residents and continues to grow. Although there is a cost to residents who wish to make use of the service, it provides an easy and convenient way to dispose of garden waste safely and simply.
Find out more at leicester.gov.uk/waste
