RECYCLING CENTRES UPDATED – JUNE 2020
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) vehicle restrictions will be eased to allow access to the following :-
From today (Tuesday ) 2nd June bicycles (including cycle towed trailers) with social distancing in place & they will need to queue as part of the traffic flow to be directed to a unloading space by site staff. All van based people carriers with seats in the back. From Wednesday 3rd June all trailers that comply with the normal vehicle restrictions except for at Sidmouth, Totnes and South Molton for now – this is due to congestion caused by trailers on site with limited capacity to accommodate trailers. All pick ups (but not towing trailers as per the normal vehicle restrictions) at all recycling Centres. Vans/ commercial vehicles currently remain excluded from all of the sites – this will be reviewed shortly when a booking system can be introduced such that the number of vans at each site can be limited to a total per day such that the sites do not become too congested due to the amount of time taken to offload these type of vehicles. Pedestrians are also not allowed to deposit waste as there are health & safety concerns that vehicles may park outside of the sites and walk their waste in. Any pedestrian wanting to dispose of their waste will be asked to contact us if they cannot use the District Council kerbside facilities. Reminder of the new working practices when visiting a recycling centre in Devon; To protect the public and staff a series of health protection measures is in force at each centre, including a one-in one-out policy and the two-metre social distancing guidelines.Unfortunately, this means for the time being site staff will not be able to assist with unloading waste.
In addition:
• Residents displaying coronavirus symptoms, are asked not to visit the recycling centres..
• Payments on site must be by credit/debit card only.
RECYCLING CENTRES UPDATE – MAY 2020
Devon County Council is reopening its recycling centres for essential use only from Monday 11 May. The government has defined ‘essential use’ as waste that ‘cannot be stored without causing a risk of injury, health or harm to the resident or other members of their household.’ Residents are urged to follow government guidance and only travel to recycling centres if the waste presents a hazard and ‘cannot be legally and responsibly disposed of in other ways.’ It is the first stage of what will be a phased reopening for Devon’s 19 Household Waste Recycling Centres, and is subject to any subsequent government announcements.
To protect the public and staff a series of health protection measures will be in force at each centre, including a one-in one-out policy and the two-metre social distancing guidelines.
Unfortunately, this means for the time being site staff will not be able to assist with unloading waste. These measures are likely to cause significant delays and queues and residents are advised to postpone their visit where possible.
Most recycling centres will operate their usual opening hours, but Punchbowl in Crediton will only open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays (starting on Friday May 15). In addition, Crowndale in Tavistock, will only open on Saturdays and Sundays starting from Sunday May 17. This is to ensure that that the adjacent Waste Transfer Stations, which are vital in ensuring kerbside collections continue, remain fully operational.
In addition:
• Residents displaying coronavirus symptoms, are asked not to visit the recycling centres.
• Only cars without trailers, with a maximum of two adults per vehicle, will be permitted on site.
• To keep unloading times to a minimum, trailers, vans, pick-ups and commercial vehicles will not be granted access for the time being.
• Payments on site must be by credit/debit card only
Councillor Andrea Davis, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure, Development and Waste, said; “We understand that storing some waste for long periods may not be safe and that is why, following updated government guidance, we are reopening our recycling centres for essential use only.
“The safety of the public and staff is our top priority and lengthy waiting times should be expected due to the new restrictions in place. We ask you to avoid queuing on the Public Highway and if it is very busy to come back later. And please, only use the facilities if it is essential and waste cannot be stored safely at home. We are working to restore normal service as soon as it is safe to do so. We appreciate your patience at this time.”
Editors notes
Residents are required to continue using their household kerbside recycling and general waste collections. Items such as paper, cans, plastic bottles/packaging and glass bottles/jars will temporarily not be accepted at the Recycling Centres.
Please also keep unwanted clothing and shoes at home until charity shops and textile recycling services are able to resume donations.
For information on what can be recycled at home, please visit https://www.recycledevon.org/recycling-collections.
Recycling Centres will be open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm and weekends from 10am to 6pm. (Note:South Molton (Maclins Quarry) open Saturday and Sunday only; Anvil Corner (Holsworthy) open Fri, Sat, Sun, Monday only) need to add in Crowndale and Punchbowl opening times here
For more information about what to do with your waste and recycling during the Covid 19 pandemic, visit www.recycledevon.org.