Locals no longer down in dumps as tips reopen
Recycling centres across South Lanarkshire reopened this week for the first time in months.
Tips were closed at the start of the lockdown after travelling to a dump was not classed as an essential journey.
However, councils were granted permission to re-open on Monday, with a raft of restrictions in place.
Residents were warned to only visit the recycling centres if really necessary as lengthy queues were to be expected.
And people from across Blantyre and Hamilton seemed to stick to the guidance, with no signs of queuing early Monday morning.
One resident said: “I was surprised to find that the Blantyre site was empty. There is a diversion in place and a few cars drove up it only to turn around again, but otherwise it was really well managed.”
Residents need proof of address to use recycling centres, with restrictions including limits to the number of people on site and what waste and recyclables can be disposed of.
They are only able to dispose of general waste, cardboard and compostable garden waste and a number of restrictions will be imposed to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
No bulky items like furniture and white goods, electricals, building materials, wood or rubble will be accepted at the moment.
The council’s six recycling centres at Carluke, East Kilbride, Eastfield, Blantyre, Larkhall and Strathaven will be open 9am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and 9am to 5pm on Sundays.
South Lanarkshire Council are asking that you only visit the site if you have no coronavirus symptoms and, once parked, only one person can exit each car to offload waste and must stay within their own bay.
A cars-only policy will operate so no vans, trailers or trade waste will be allowed and a queueing system will be in place to limit the number of cars allowed inside at one time.
Each bay will have three skips, which initially will be available for black bag (general) waste, cardboard (but not paper) and compostable garden waste.
SLC said they have “prioritised these waste types to meet what we believe will be residents’ main needs at this time” but will keep this under review.
There will be road diversions and traffic controls in place, and signage and staff will be present at the entry point and along the queue, to provide any advice and ensure that regulations are being followed to ensure everyone’s safety.