FIFTEEN recycling centres in Essex have reopened for waste and recycling which, if stored at home, poses a risk of injury or is harmful to health.

Residents are urged to make a common-sense decision and only visit if absolutely necessary.

Social distancing measures and new site restrictions will be in place to ensure the safety of residents and site staff.

This will include limiting the number of cars at any one time, so please be patient and expect long delays.

If you can hold onto your waste, please do so until the sites are fully operational. Do not visit a recycling centre if you are shielding, self-isolating or showing any symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The safest way to get rid of your waste and recycling is using your kerbside collection.

A visit to a recycling centre is only essential where there is no alternative available.

If a visit is deemed essential, please consider the following advice:

  • Only waste or recycling which cannot be stored at home without causing a health or safety risk will be accepted.
  • Please do not visit a recycling centre more than once per day.
  • Vans are only allowed for essential household waste and will only be allowed at sites which previously accepted vans. Please be considerate as unloading of vans will take longer and cause delays for other site users.
  • Please be patient as visits are likely to take longer than normal so expect long queues.
  • Do not queue before the site opens. This will prevent both site staff and collection crews from accessing the depots so they can start work.
  • Long queues outside the sites may add to local traffic congestion. You may be asked to move on if you are causing an obstruction.
  • When queuing, please consider switching off your engine. This will help to keep air pollution levels down for other site users and staff.

Essex Country Parks have now also re-opened.

This follows the easing of restrictions to outside space and safety measures being put into place to allow ECC to open in line with government guidance to help keep visitors and staff safe.

The parks, car parks and toilets will be open to the public.

However, children’s play equipment, visitor centres and cafes will remain closed.

Visitors will need to observe the current rules on social distancing, particularly in places that could become crowded such as the car parks and toilets.

It is anticipated that the parks will be busy and so ask you to use your judgment in relation to your visit, for example considering the time of your trip so that not everyone arrives at once.

Important changes to note before you visit:

  • Restricted opening hours of 9am - 5pm.
  • Once car parks are full, we will have to limit access to the parks.
  • We’d like to encourage you to download the car parking payment app in advance of your visit to minimise contact with the machines.

Advice from Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council. 

Please visit the Essex County Council website for more information. You can contact Kevin on 01206 382405 or e-mail Kevin@birchandwinstree.com.