A new rule at tips across Greater Manchester could see people turned away.

People will soon be asked to prove they live in the region, by showing identification or with a council tax bill or other document.

The measure, approved by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority waste committee, is aimed at stopping people from outside the region using household waste and recycling sites. 

Tips have seen increased numbers of visitors who live elsewhere, bosses say. That, in turn, drives up costs for councils to deliver services and adds traffic. 

Leaders believe the closure of sites in other areas has led to an influx of people outside Greater Manchester using the region's tips.

In 2024, Cheshire East council temporarily shut three waste sites. They were later permanently closed. Neighbouring Derbyshire and Lancashire are also considering closing faciliites. 

GMCA bosses said it was now time to take steps to 'try to eliminate cross-border use' of tips. 

Councillor Lee-Ann Igbon, who sits on Manchester council, said: "Shame on those authorities that have done this because it's not the responsibility of my residents to pick up the bill for them and they need to look at that. We pay for our waste through our council tax. I'm not willing to put that up.

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"The plans that the officers have put together are really good, but obviously that's another cost to us, taking the time to check these vehicles because others have decided to [close their sites]. It shouldn't impact the nine authorities in this room. It's just outrageous."

Officers have proposed a two-stage approach. The first phase will be a 'soft introduction', with proof of address checks on entry. Driving licences and council tax bills would be acceptable, documents suggest. 

Later, random checks could be introduced at sites. 'Stage two' would formalise checks, bosses said. 

Cllr Igbon added: "I'm not for a softly, softly approach. This is a major problem [and] I want people to know from the onset that if you turn up to our sites that we pay for, you're not getting in. If your name's not down, you're not coming in, basically, and we need to get that message out."

Cllr Ken Rustidge, from Oldham council, said: "This is a decision by these adjoining authorities that's going to hurt our people, and they should be held to account for these decisions, and they really should be shown up."

Trafford councillor Stephen Adshead said it should be made clear to people in Greater Manchester the changes were 'not their fault', adding: "I think it's sad we're doing it, but it's come to a point where we've got to start considering [implementing new rules] and probably soon as well."

Officers advised elected members the first phase would not be introduced until after May's local elections. That would then need a 'good three months' to see how they 'bed in' and to assess any data and feedback.

The details of the phase of the plan will be decided later. "The last thing we want to do is to put in place barriers for people using those facilities, freely, but we just want the people who are entitled to use those facilities to be able to use them," officers said. 

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