BROMSGROVE’S Quantry Lane household recycling centre (HRC) in Romsley will be one of seven to re-open across the county from Monday, May 11.
But Worcestershire County Council has stressed it would be for ‘essential use only’ and strict social distancing measures must be adhered to by users to ensure the safety of staff and visitors.
Those who are self-isolating or are themselves or anyone in their household, showing Coronavirus symptoms must not visit a household recycling centre.
And the authority has urged anyone planning to visit to log onto www.worcestershire.gov.uk/LetsWasteLessAndRecycle to check the restrictions and opening hours before they go.
The number of vehicles permitted at any one time will be limited and therefore, the council warns, queues and delays are likely.
The two-metre rule must be adhered to and each skip will only be available to one person at a time.
The government’s view is journeys to household recycling centres must only be undertaken if waste or recycling cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury, health or harm, and cannot be disposed of safely by other means.
People who can safely temporarily store waste without risking theirs or others’ health must do so.
Pressure was mounting on the authority to open the centres following Birmingham City Council’s decision to reopen four out of five household recycling sites from today, also with strict social distancing measures.
Coun Tony Miller, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for the Environment, said: “Where possible, we advise residents to take measures to avoid creating waste but if they do, keep it at home if it is safe to do so.
“I would like to ask for the support of those who have to use the HRCs to help keep staff, other visitors and themselves safe by making sure they are aware of the social distancing and restrictions before they arrive at a site and abide by them whilst on site.
“These are not normal times so please be patient – the way we are operating is different from the way that we did before lockdown and it is for everyone’s safety.”
The other HRCs to open in Worcestershire are in Redditch, Pershore, Malvern, Stourport and Tenbury and Worcester.
Bromsgrove District Council restarted its garden waste collections on Monday while Wychavon has also restarted bulky waste collections, along with garden rubbish.
