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Guidance published to help councils safely re-open
recycling centres
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Sites should only be open if social distancing can be
adhered to
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Ministers thank councils for their efforts in keeping
services running
Councils are being encouraged to open sites to avoid the build-up
of waste in homes and businesses and reduce the opportunity for
fly-tipping - but only where social distancing can be maintained
and the public and staff can be kept safe.
Under the terms of the lockdown, householders can travel to a
centre if the waste in their home presents a risk of injury or a
risk to public health or the local environment.
The guidance sets out how local authorities could manage access
and the number of people who are able to be on site at any one
time.
If possible, waste should continue to be stored safely and
disposed of using regular council collections.
Environment Minister said:
“Maintaining crucial waste services while protecting public
health remains a top priority during these unprecedented times,
and I commend our councils on the superbly efficient job they are
doing in keeping waste collection services running.
“We are publishing this guidance to help local authorities
re-open their recycling centres over the coming days and weeks.
This will ensure that more waste can be properly disposed of and
we avoid the likelihood of fly-tipping.”
The new guidance recognises the importance of councils making
independent assessments of which centres can be re-opened based
on how much capacity they have and the practicalities of adhering
to social distancing requirements on site.
Householders should check with their council to see if their
local site is open.
Local Government Minister
said:
“Councils have been working tirelessly to keep rubbish and
recycling collections open during this national emergency, while
bin crews are also playing a vital role in keeping the country
going.
“Many residents have not been able to dispose of all of their
excess or bulky waste. That is why we are helping councils to
reopen these sites, where safe to do so, in a planned and
organised way over the next few weeks.”
Cllr David Renard, Environment spokesman for the Local Government
Association, said:
“Councils are keen to open household waste and recycling centres
as soon as practicable. The decision to re-open sites will be
taken by individual councils based on risk assessments in their
area.
“This will be a gradual process over the next few weeks and based
on whether they have enough staff, social distancing measures are
in place to protect workers and members of the public and waste
staff are given personal protective
equipment t o reduce the risk of
infection and provide reassurance.
“Councils will introduce measures to keep staff and customers
safe, for example by managing visits through pre-booked time
slots.
“People should only travel to re-opened HWRCs if it is essential
– if their waste is posing a risk to their health, the local
environment, or a risk of injury. They should always check with
their local council that their waste and recycling centre has
reopened before driving there.”
In April,
Defra
published waste collection prioritisation
guidance for local authorities, with
recommendations on how they could prioritise and adapt their
collection services and mitigate any impacts being felt by
coronavirus. The government says councils’ top priority should be
the collection of residual ‘black bag’ waste to avoid the
build-up of waste and protect public health.
ENDS
Further information
- The guidance can be found here.
