Recycling Village Adapts with New Way of Working

Visitors to the South Tyneside's Recycling Village are being thanked for their support and understanding as the Council continues to operate a new way of working amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Recycling Village reopened this week for essential waste only, with new rules and strict social distancing measures put in place to help protect the health and safety of staff and visitors.

In line with current Government guidance, temporary restrictions were introduced to limit the number of visitors on site at any one time. The new measures include making provision for cars only initially, implementing an odd and even number plate system and extending opening hours to manage demand and the development of four new separate waste 'tipping zones'.

As outlined in government guidance, under the lockdown restrictions a visit to the local HWRC is only considered essential if the waste materials cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury or harm to health.

Therefore, residents should only attend the Recycling Village for essential visits. Only bagged general household waste, garden waste, cardboard and wood, including old furniture, continues to be accepted at this time.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: "These are difficult times and we are all adapting to new ways of working and changes in government guidance. However, it remains very clear that we must all continue to observe social distancing.

"We are really pleased that visitors to the Recycling Village are adhering to the new measures put in place to help keep both themselves and staff safe. We thank residents for their patience, understanding and their support.

"However, it is important that residents only travel to the site with essential waste at this time if they are unable to store it safely at home.

"In the meantime, we continue to monitor operations to make sure the site is running as efficiently and safely as possible. Access for vans, pick-ups and trailers remains under review. We also continue to work with our partners on how we best manage a phased return of more materials over the coming months and get operations back to as near normal as we can in the future."

Residents are urged to separate their essential waste materials before they travel to help limit their time on site and to use the skips provided for residual waste, garden waste, wood, including bulky household furniture and cardboard only. A second person from the same household is allowed to assist in unloading, particularly for heavier items.

However, visitors are encouraged not to arrive before the opening time at 8am and if queues reach Boldon Lane, to come back later up to the extended hours of 8pm. A temporary road amendment remains in place on exiting the industrial estate along Heddon Way, with a 'no right turn' towards Stanhope Road, to help keep traffic moving along Boldon Lane.

The Recycling Village Shop also remains closed until further notice.

The Borough's household waste and recycling collections continue to run as normal and the Garden Waste collections were reinstated this week.

The Council also continues to operate a Bulky Waste Collection service for larger household items and the Garden Clearance Scheme remains available to residents for the removal of items including DIY dismantled sheds and garden furniture.

For further information including the Recycling Village opening times and details of site rules and restrictions visit the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/wasteandrecycling

Notes for Editors:

The Recycling Village is open seven days a week, with opening hours temporarily extended, from 8am to 8pm.

Only essential waste is being accepted at this time, with skips available for the disposal of:

• Residual Waste;
• Garden Waste;
• Wood and bulky household furniture;
• Cardboard.

The following materials are NOT being accepted at this time:

• Rubble;
• Scrap metal;
• Heavy Plastics;
• Carpets;
• Waste Oil/Gas bottles/Electrical items/White goods.

The van and trailer permit scheme remains suspended at this time due to site modifications, with only cars allowed on site initially.

Only one person is permitted outside their vehicle once on-site, unless the item is heavy then one other adult from the same household can help. People must also remain in their vehicle while queuing.

Anyone in self isolation or with COVID-19 symptoms must not visit under any circumstances.

Where households have had COVID-19 symptoms the waste should be left for 72 hours before being brought to the site, and the waste should be double bagged.

Please check the Council's website at www.southtyneside.gov.uk/coronavirus or follow on social media: Facebook STynesideCouncil and Twitter @STyne_Council for further information and updates to services.