The changes being made at Hampshire recycling centres
Last updated 25th Jun 2021
Several changes are planned as to how recycling centres operate in Hampshire once covid restrictions are relaxed.
Hampshire County Council has agreed that a booking system, put in place during the pandemic to allow for social distancing, will continue.
The council is also going to trial allowing residents to take their waste to tips on foot in some areas.
A £5 charge for non-Hampshire residents visiting tips in the county, which was suspended during the pandemic, will be reinstated.
And glass banks at tips will be done away with by the 1st July.
Councillor Rob Humby, the County Council's Executive Lead Member for Economy, Transport and the Environment, commented: "It is important that we plan for how residents can continue to access our waste and recycling centres when the country moves to step 4 on the Government roadmap.
"I am mindful that while we would want to return to pre-pandemic arrangements, I think that we need to take a responsible and cautious approach and, therefore, I fully support the proposals."
Councillor Humby agreed that the booking system enabling residents to choose and secure a time period for taking their bulky household waste to their nearest centre should be extended.
The council said the system has successfully eliminated queuing, congestion and pollution on surrounding roads.
The easing of restrictions and reduced need for additional space between parked vehicles will mean that the number of booking slots available for each site can be increased.
A six-month trial allowing pedestrian access will be undertaken at three HWRCs: Hedge End, New Alresford and Waterlooville; allowing residents living near to those centres, to walk-in and drop off their waste during dedicated, pedestrian-only access times.
The trial will start once coronavirus restrictions are lifted.
Glass banks will be removed from HWRCs, by 1 July 2021, following a decision made in October 2020.