Peterborough’s recycling centre re-opens to residents

The centre opened its doors at 8am on Monday for residents who have essential waste that cannot be stored safely at home.

It will remain open from 8am to 6pm from Monday to Sunday with social distancing measures on site – for the protection of both residents and staff.

Peterborough City Council has issued the following advice and guidance to residents:

. Only visit if it is essential and if you cannot minimise your waste, store it at home safely or use alternative kerbside waste collections

. Do not attend if you or your household are suffering from Covid-19 symptoms

. Vans/trailers/permit holders - There will be a delay before the centre is able to accept vans and trailers that require a permit, including current permit holders. This is in place to stop large loads from coming in and slowing down the operations. It will be reviewed after two weeks

. The centre is for the use of Peterborough residents only. If you need to visit the site bring proof of your address (utility bill, council tax bill, driving licence or similar) in case you are asked to provide it.

. Avoid peak times - Traffic management is unable to allow excessive queuing, so you may be turned away and asked to return later if it is busy. To try and avoid this, the council is asking residents to plan their journeys away from the anticipated peak times of 9am to 10am, noon until 1pm and 5pm to 6pm

. Social distancing of two metres will be enforced, with clear signage and additional staff directing and instructing from a distance

. Limited vehicles on site – A total of 14 cars will be allowed on the site at a time (four outside and 10 inside the building).

. A maximum of one adult unloading the vehicle - If there are passengers in the vehicle, only one person can leave the vehicle. Children are allowed but must remain in the vehicle at all times.

. Staff will be unable to help people unload vehicles – This is to protect both users and staff. Due to this, normal advice to users to wear sturdy shoes and sturdy gloves applies to avoid injury.

. No pedestrian access onto the site - The council will review this in the coming weeks.

The council said it can accept all materials as normal, apart from:

. Covid-19 infected waste - This includes disposed PPE waste or general household waste if you have been suffering from Covid-19 symptoms. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste. This should be put aside for at least 72 hours before being disposed.

. Asbestos

. Textiles – Like clothes, shoes and fabric.

The council said: “This decision to open the household recycling Centre for essential use only follows guidance from the Government Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which has now given councils permission to re-open these facilities as part of a gradual easing of current government lockdown restrictions.”

Cllr John Holdich, leader of Peterborough City Council, said: “We’re asking residents to be sensible and to stay at home where they can, but we recognise that some residents do have waste they need to dispose of urgently.

“The Government guidance makes it clear that residents should only make a trip to a household recycling centre if the items cannot be safely stored at home and that, where possible, residents should continue to stay at home and either minimise their waste or use kerbside collections.”