All three Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will re-open on Monday (11 May) under revised operating plans to protect residents and staff.

The BCP Council site at Nuffield will have extended opening hours, with all three HRCs open to the public seven days a week from 9am – 6pm.

All three sites are expected to be extremely busy from Monday with long waiting times, so residents are advised to plan ahead and only make a visit if it is absolutely essential. When visiting the sites, residents must display ID showing proof of address.

In line with government guidance, social distancing will be maintained on site at all times, which means the sites will operate in a different way to normal. This will include permitting only a limited number of cars into each site at any one time, creating considerable waiting times for residents wishing to use the site, to ensure social distancing rules are upheld.

All existing access policies are in place including the van permit scheme and only one person should be in each vehicle that visits an HRC, so residents must only bring items they can remove and dispose of themselves (Blue badge holders can bring someone to assist them). Due to social distancing, staff on site will not be able to assist residents with unloading or disposing of their waste and payment for certain waste including soil, rubble and plasterboard, (and asbestos) should be by card, preferably contactless.