Wiltshire household recycling centres to reopen from 18 May for essential journeys only

MOST of Wiltshire’s 10 household recycling centres (HRCs) in Wiltshire will reopen for essential waste only from Monday 18 May.

Due to the limits on the number of vehicles on site, Stanton St Quintin HRC will remain closed until further notice. All other HRCs will have different opening hours from usual, therefore it is advised that residents check before they travel. Full details on opening times at each HRC will be available later in the week.

Journeys to HRCs must only be undertaken if waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means, this includes kerbside recycling collections and the bulky waste collections service. Residents are able to leave additional recycling at the kerbside provided it is separated properly and placed in sturdy containers. To find out more, go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/rubbish-and-recycling.

Residents should only travel to a HRC to dispose of waste that cannot be stored without causing risk of injury, health or harm. No other reason for the journey will be considered a legitimate purpose. Waste and recycling should be stored in a way that does not pose a risk to safety or human health.

To keep staff and residents safe, social distancing will also be in place at all HRCs, so visitors must keep at least two metres from others at all times. Visits are restricted to one person per car; there is no entry for trailers or large vans over 3.5 tonnes; and the number of parking spaces on each site will be significantly reduced. There will also be some restrictions to the types of waste HRCs can accept –soil, rubble, plasterboard, textiles or asbestos will not be accepted.

Visitors to sites should wear gloves at all times, and staff will not be able to help people unload waste under any circumstances. Anyone who is showing COVID-19 symptoms or is in the government’s ‘shielded’ group must not travel to a HRC.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, Cabinet Member for Waste, said: “The majority of our household recycling centres will reopen from Monday 18 May for essential journeys only, but people should be aware that there are a significant number of restrictions in place to protect our staff and residents.

“These restrictions include limiting the number of people and cars that can be on any site at one time, and additional measures to help manage traffic near to the sites. Despite this, people should expect long delays and queues. If people can safely store their waste or recycling at home then we would ask that they continue to do so.

“Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has been asked by the government to stay at home for shielding purposes will not be able to visit a household recycling centre.

“Several household recycling centres will have different opening hours, so people should check before they travel, and there will be restrictions on the types of waste they can take.

“We recognise that the closure of household recycling centres may be frustrating for some of our residents, but the safety of our staff and visitors to the sites is paramount, and I would like to thank the staff on these sites, and would ask that people are respectful to our staff at all times.”

Residents are reminded not to assume that an HRC is open before setting off. Please check the council website before making a journey to a HRC as opening hours will be changed when they reopen and may also be required to change due to issues that arise on site.