Winter schedule sees tip appointments reduced by 2,000

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THERE will be fewer opportunities for households in Gloucestershire to recycle when the opening times for tips change to a winter schedule this week.

Currently anyone wanting to take waste and recycling to the tip has to make an appointment at one the of county’s five tips in order to keep people safe from coronavirus.

From this Sunday there will be 2,000 fewer appointments per week as the county’s recycling centres will now be open from 10am to 4pm.

Pyke Quarry in Stroud - which has been open seven days a week since mid-august to meet increased demand - will also be closed on Wednesdays from this Sunday.

Gloucestershire County Councillor Nigel Moor, cabinet member responsible for waste and recycling, said: “Our booking system was brought in to aid safety during the pandemic but we’ve had really positive feedback to it and the sites in general.

“The majority of users say there are less queues and visitors find the booking system helpful.

“We know that the seasons effect the demand for the centres though and typically demand drops by 25 per cent in the winter months which is why we make this seasonal change.

“Once the changes happen on 25 October there will be 8,982 booking slots per week available to residents needing to recycle waste which can’t be recycled from their doorstep with local collections.

“This is a reduction of just over 2000 slots, however as the evenings get darker and colder and people reduce the amount of Diy/gardening, less people visit HRC’S”.

Visitors to all household recycling centres need to pre-book their visit. You can find your nearest tip and book a time slot online at gloucestershirerecycles.com/ household-recycling-centres-hrcs/ car-and-van-bookings-for-hrc-visits/

Social distancing is required on site, and to minimise queues and waiting times the number of booking slots available is limited.

Those with symptoms of Covid-19 or who are self-isolating must not visit and should stay at home, and follow the most up to date government and NHS advice.