Following the successful re-opening of Suffolk’s Recycling Centres, 2,068 additional appointments are now available each week to enable more people to recycle their waste.

Two weeks ago, Thursday May 14, all of Suffolk’s 11 sites re-opened on an appointment only basis and since then, 95% of all slots have been booked. This amounts to 28,500 appointments. The booking system has proved an efficient and effective way of allowing people to easily dispose of their rubbish and help manage demand on the service, and has been given widespread public support. It has helped reduce traffic disruption on roads around the sites, and supported social distancing on site for staff and members of the public.

The road closures that were put in place at Fornham Road, Bury St Edmunds and Foxhall Road, Foxhall, were lifted after 5 days. Sir Alf Ramsey Way, Ipswich, remains closed for the time being, and continues to be reviewed regularly.   

It has been possible to make more appointments available because the Recycling Centres have been able to cope with the daily demand.  

In line with our phased approach and because of the success of the booking system, from Thursday <May 28^th> car derived vans will be able to access the sites via online booking. Charges for DIY waste from households, like soil, rubble or hardcore will also be accepted, but trade waste still cannot be taken to the sites. Contactless card payments will be taken at a kiosk on site in line with social distancing measures.  Bags of compost will also be available to buy on site.   

Paul West, Cabinet member for Waste at Suffolk County Council, said: “The success of the re-opening of the Recycling Centres has been largely down to the cooperation and willingness of people to comply with the temporary guidelines and support social distancing on site.   

“Thank you for playing your part in helping us with the smooth transition of getting Suffolk’s recyclable waste moving again. The positive comments and feedback from our residents has been overwhelming and very much appreciated by site staff.”  

Temporary rules on site still apply. These include:

• No access to site without pre-booking
• Cars, car-derived vans, and pedestrians only – no larger vans, trailers or commercial-type vehicles
• One adult to unload, unless 2 adults needed for heavy items
• No staff assistance to unload vehicles
• No trade waste
• No textiles or re-use items accepted
  

To make a booking, please visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/recyclingcentres or, if you don’t have access to the internet, call 0345 606 6067. In order to prevent dangerous queueing, residents without a booking will not be able to enter the site. Residents must not arrive on site more than 5 minutes before their allocated time.

Any waste you have which is contaminated or suspected to have been contaminated with COVID 19 must be double-bagged and kept at home for 72 hours before it is brought to site.

Suffolk County Council continues to review the temporary rules, and will continue to remove restrictions to the service when it is safe to do so. 

People who are, or have anyone in their household, suffering from Covid-19 symptoms, or have been diagnosed as having the virus must not visit Recycling Centres.