SPINNING Gate Shopping Centre has picked up a national award for its waste management achievements.

The centre, which is home to 35 stores in Leigh town centre, has won a National Green Apple Bronze Award for Environmental Best Practice for its achievements in 2018.

The centre was presented with the accolade for the second time at the Houses of Parliament.

Centre manager Karen Cox said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive our second Green Apple Environmental Award for Environmental Best Practice.

"We are incredibly proud of the centre team who continue to drive our commitment to increasing recycling rates and minimising the waste produced from the centre.

"I would like to give a huge thank you to our waste management partner B&M Waste Services for their commitment to the environment and of course to Spinning Gate Shopping Centre too."

The award follows the centre's environmental success when it received its first Green Apple Award in 2018 for its recycling achievements and along with their waste management partner, B&M Waste Services, which ensured 100 per cent of the centre's waste was diverted from landfill.

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B&M Waste Services was also presented with a National Bronze Award for Environmental Best Practice Paper and Packaging.

The shopping centre achieved its latest Green Apple Environmental award for reducing the waste produced from site by six per cent with 100kg of waste removed from the centre.

It increased the volume of waste recycled by 40 per cent with 60kg of waste recycled.

Following a unit refurbishment, 62 tonnes of rubbish was removed and forwarded to a waste recycling centre to be reused as hardcore. A five per cent cost savings was achieved with the waste management budget.

The centre reduced its electricity consumption by five per cent as well.

The centre recycles electrical and IT equipment and has recently introduced a used postage stamp recycling scheme in centre for shoppers.

In the last two years, Spinning Gate has reduced its waste volume by 12 per cent.

The results of the waste management provision at the centre last year, saved 95,000 equivalent car miles.

B&M Waste Services account manager David Carter said: “We are once again thrilled to congratulate Spinning Gate Shopping Centre on their achievement at The Green Apple Awards, winning a national award is highly coveted.

"We’re proud to support their aim of diverting 100 per cent of waste from landfill for conversion instead to green energy at an energy from waste facility, and waste minimisation overall.

"Karen and the team do a fantastic job engaging with the public and retailers alike to communicate the waste strategy and obtain buy in to ensure a pleasant environment and great shopping experience for all visitors."