Cornwall residents are urged to plan trips to recycling centres

RESIDENTS across Cornwall are being urged to avoid unnecessary trips to Household Waste and Recycling Centres following long queues at many sites.

At some centres, waiting times have reached over an hour in recent days. Drivers are being urged not to obstruct roads and to return at a later time, if there are long queues. A number plate entry system is being enforced, and people will be turned away during busy periods if they go on the wrong day.

Cornwall Council is urging people to store items safely at home and to use the kerbside rubbish and recycling collection services where possible.

Rob Nolan, the council’s portfolio holder for environment and public protection, said: “Due to Covid restrictions and the need to maintain social distancing, we have to limit the number of vehicles that can enter each site. This is to ensure visitors can maintain social distancing.

“We ask that, if you can store unwanted items at home safely, you delay your trip to the HWRC for the time being. The staff are working incredibly hard, so please be patient and respectful. We will not tolerate abuse to our workers.”

The number plate entry system is designed to limit the number of people visiting the sites each day. If the last digit of your vehicle number plate is even – 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 – then you should only visit a HWRC on an even date of the month, e.g. 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th, etc. If the last digit of your number plate is odd – 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 – then you should only visit an HWRC on an odd date of the month, e.g. 5th, 7th, 9th, 11th etc. Site staff may turn you away if you turn up on a wrong day.