11.05.23 – No Mow May, Staffordshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres

Staffordshire County Council are urging residents not to cut their grass in May and to join Plantlife’s annual ‘No Mow May’ campaign.  The campaign aims to help support wildlife, creating a haven for them while improving biodiversity.

By letting long grass and wildflowers grow naturally, lawns become healthier, and wildlife thrives. With nearly 97 per cent of flower-rich meadows lost since the 1970s, every garden can play a crucial role in rebuilding these vital habitats.  The smallest patches of grassy areas in the UK’s 20 million gardens, when correctly managed, can provide significant gains for nature, communities, and the climate.

Residents are now being invited to pick up a free sign from their local library, including Newcastle Library, on a first come first served basis, stick the sign in their garden, take photos and share on social media using the hashtag #NoMowMayStaffs.

Philip White, Deputy Leader at Staffordshire County Council said: “No Mow May is a great campaign and it’s easy to get involved.

“Simply lock up your lawnmower for the month of May, and you’ll be giving wildlife a much-needed boost throughout the summer. By doing so, you can help combat pollution and store carbon underground while providing essential food for pollinators like bees.

For health and safety reasons urban verges in Staffordshire will still get cut to maintain road visibility.  Staffordshire Country Parks will be left to grow.

People can find out more including how to take part by visiting the dedicated webpage.

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Changes to the disposal of trade and bulky waste look set to be made at Staffordshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) to help curb queues for residents.

Members of the county council’s Cabinet are recommended to approve the introduction of permits for vans and trailers when they meet on May 17.

The proposed changes follow a public consultation and will require Staffordshire residents with vans or trailers to apply for permits, which will allow them to make 12 visits per year to the sites. Staffordshire residents with cars will still be able to use the sites freely.

The 14 centres are well used by Staffordshire residents with around 1.6 million visits a year. Only 20,000 are recorded as trade.

Staffordshire County Council continues to invest and improve both infrastructure and operational activities to enhance the customer experience at its HWRCs.

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