Restricted access to Household Waste Recycle Centres during Coronavirus (COVID-19)

A number of Household Recycle Centres will be open in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

There are restrictions in place, so please make sure you are familiar with these before you travel.

DO NOT visit the site if you or a member of your household are unwell, as you should be following the Government guidance on self-isolation

Social distancing measures are in place at each of the sites

  • only a limited number of residents will be allowed on site at any one time
  • a ‘supermarket style’ system is in operation, with a ‘one out, one in’ access policy
  • no assistance will be provided on site so only load items you can unload yourself
  • no soil improver or compost sales
  • limited reuse charity drop off points
  • alternate parking spaces and bays have been blocked off
  • access to each skip will be by one resident at a time
  • the deposit of some materials may not be possible if the re-processor is unavailable as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak – check individual HRC webpages for more details
  • the Commercial Vehicle and Trailer Permit scheme will remain in operation
  • if you are a resident of Bromsgrove or Redditch and do not have a Residents Permit, please take another form of ID with you with proof of address; this can be a driving licence or utility bill.  Please do not visit the offices of Redditch Borough Council or Bromsgrove District Council to collect a permit as these offices are currently closed.

To limit the amount of time you may need to wait to access the sites, we would like to ask residents to

  • visit the website for more information on restrictions BEFORE you travel and to check opening times at the Household Recycling Centres (Rubbish Tips) page 
  • visit the sites out of peak times  – this means visiting mid-week and ideally in the afternoon
  • please be patient - remember that going to HRCs will be different from the way the system operated before lockdown, and it will be a while before social distancing restrictions are lifted

Please act responsibly towards other visitors and staff

  • keep to the 2 metre distancing rules AT ALL TIMES
  • ideally come alone and wear gloves and suitable footwear (no open toe sandals)
  • stay in your vehicle while queuing to aid with social distancing and wait to be directed to a parking bay by staff
  • Severn Waste Services will not tolerate any form of abusive behaviour towards its staff and will take action against offenders
  • if you do not comply with social distancing guidance, you will be asked to leave the site and the site may have to close temporarily

Before you travel to a HRC you should think about the following:

  • storing items at home.
  • making use of retailer take-back services or making your old items available for immediate re-use via on-line platforms; make sure you follow social distancing and related guidance and that it is safe for you to move the items in question
  • checking the Reuse Network website (opens in a new window) to see if there are options available for small businesses or charities in your area to mend or repurpose your furniture and appliances; this may also be a good opportunity to repair, repurpose or re-use items such as old furniture or clothes yourself which you would usually throw away
  • residents are advised to look at alternatives to using textile recycling banks at Household Recycling Centres

What Household Waste Recycle Centres are open?

With restrictions in place the following Household Recycle Centres are open:

Herefordshire Sites

The following Herefordshire household recycling centres are open for pre-booked vehicles only.

Residents wishing to use one of the above recycling centres must book their visit online and receive a pass before visiting. The number of booking slots will be limited so that social distancing measures can be maintained and queuing traffic on the highway avoided.

Book a slot to visit a household recycling centre
 

Worcestershire Sites

The following Worcestershire household recycling centres are open for pre-booked vehicles only.

Residents wishing to use one of the above recycling centres must book their visit online and receive a pass before visiting. The number of booking slots will be limited so that social distancing measures can be maintained and queuing traffic on the highway avoided.

Book a slot to visit a household recycling centre
 

The following Worcestershire household recycling centres are also open with no booking required:

To achieve the social distancing measures at these sites, additional staff are required. While are assessing how these new measures are working, we are also planning how we can open the remaining HRCs.