While Defra has yet to comment, several councils say they have been told by the government their HWRCs can stay open. However, a number of local authorities have said their reuse shops will close.
Many HWRCs were reopened in May with measures in place, after being closed as part of the first national lockdown.
Nottinghamshire
Nottinghamshire county council confirmed yesterday (2 November) that all its 12 HWRCs across the county are to remain open during their normal winter hours.
Councillor Kay Cutts MBE, leader of Nottinghamshire county council, said: “I can confirm that the county council will be keeping recycling centres open for those who are registered to use them.
“All our services will be kept under review during this period, but the important thing now is that everyone plays their part by following the new guidance and rules in full to help us to get more control over the virus.”
Hampshire
Hampshire county council says it has received assurances from the government that its HWRCs will be allowed to stay open. The council described the situation as “business as usual”.
“We’ve got absolute clarity from the government and for this lockdown, the national guidance defines waste services as essential”
Councillor Rob Humby, executive member for economy, transport and environment at Hampshire county council, said: “I’m really pleased we’ve got absolute clarity from the government and for this lockdown, the national guidance defines waste services as essential. It’s also good news that the government has said that construction is not expected to close operations down.
“We’ve put in place a booking system at the HWRCs which has been operating well for some time now, and social distancing measures to ensure each of our sites is able to operate in a Covid safe way, so I am confident we will be able to continue offering this service for Hampshire residents as the country enters into the next lockdown period.”
However, the council said reuse sales areas would have to be closed in line with government restrictions on ‘non-essential’ shops.
Lincolnshire
Councillor Martin Hill, Conservative leader of Lincolnshire county council, described the government’s decision to go back into lockdown as “disappointing”. He pointed out infection rates in Lincolnshire were comparatively low compared to many other areas.
Cllr Hill confirmed the county’s HWRCs would stay open. “The government have asked for public buildings to stay open,” he said. “People can still rely on things like the household waste recycling centres through our click and tip service.”
Under the click and tip service, Lincolnshire residents must book a slot to use the HWRCs, which only accept specific waste types on specific days.
Oxford
Oxford city council said its home waste and recycling services, including HWRCs, will continue. It described these as services that may be of additional importance.
Councillor Susan Brown, leader of Oxford City Council, said: “Whilst nobody wants a countrywide lockdown, we hope that it can stop the spread and protect the NHS both locally and nationally.”
Somerset
The Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) announced plans to keep the county’s recycling sites open during the second national lockdown.
All 16 sites, currently operated by Viridor, are expected to stay open on standard winter hours, the SWP says. Their current safety measures will remain in place.
All residents have been asked to maintain a social distance from collection crews and wash and disinfect container handles before and after putting out recycling boxes and bins.
Guidance
Guidance issued by Defra on managing HWRCs during a pandemic, first published in May (see letsrecycle.com story), was updated on 12 October.
This reiterated there was “no reason in law why HWRCs cannot be open”. Local authorities are legally obliged to provide places for residents to take their waste, Defra said in the guidance document. No updated guidance has yet been published for the second lockdown.
All HWRCs in Wales were closed on 23 October as part of the ‘fire break’ two-week national lockdown (see letsrecycle.com story).
Defra has been approached for comment.
Related links
NCAS Conference
Hear the latest guidance for and developments in HWRC management at the National Civic Amenity Site conference on 25 November. Click here for more details.
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