Ministers urge for safe re-opening of recycling centres

The government has published new guidance for local authorities on how recycling centres can be safely re-opened during the coronavirus outbreak.

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. Trips may now be made to recycling centres under any circumstance and not just where waste presents a risk of injury or to public health.

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. It also 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 at any one site.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow 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.”