As of 1 July 2020, people with vans, trailers and trade waste can now book to visit nine of Suffolk's 11 recycling centres.
All visitors will need to pre-book an appointment online, where they will be asked what type of vehicle they will use and whether they are bringing household or business waste. To prevent queuing on neighbouring roads, people without a booking will not be able to enter the site. Social distancing measures also operate on site.
Currently, appointments for vans, trailers and trade waste are unavailable at Haverhill and Leiston Recycling Centres. These are smaller sites and have fewer appointments available.
There are a number of restrictions in place to help support social distancing at sites and to make sure waste is dealt with efficiently. These include:
- Vans with trailers will not be allowed on any site.
- Only one visit per household or vehicle within seven days. This allows more visitors on site, while maintaining social distancing and protecting the health and safety of site staff and users.
- Trailers must be no more than 750kg max gross weight, single axle and unbraked. No other trailer size or type is permitted.
- All waste should be pre-sorted to make your visit as quick and simple as possible and to maximise recycling.
The easy-to-use booking system is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/recyclingcentres. If you do not have access to the internet call 0345 606 6067. Residents must not arrive on site more than five minutes before their allocated time. Appointments are released on a rolling seven-day basis.
Paul West, Cabinet member for Waste at Suffolk County Council, said:
“Our phased response to reopening recycling centres since the lockdown has gone extremely well and we are grateful for the support of the public in allowing us to support social distancing on site, while still having the capacity to process the county’s waste.”
As part of this phased reopening, the Re-use shop at Bury St Edmunds reopened on Thursday 9 July, after the successful reopening of the Re-use shop at Foxhall recycling centre. The Re-use shops at the Foxhall and Bury recycling centres were closed in March following the lockdown announcement.
The Re-use shops at Foxhall and Bury are part of a partnership between Suffolk County Council, waste and recycling partner FCC Environment, and charity partner The Benjamin Foundation. The shops were opened with the aim of reducing waste and increasing recycling in Suffolk, as well as raising vital funds for those in need.
