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Published Wednesday 13 May 2020 at 10:26
Blackburn with Darwen Council will be reopening its recycling centres on Monday 18 May, after they had to be closed in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Due to the need to ensure social distancing for staff and visitors there will be a number of important changes to the way the sites operate.
Booking system
Residents will need to make an appointment before visiting. This is necessary to manage what is likely to be very high demand and limit visitor numbers to ensure social distancing can be managed.
A booking system will go live on the morning of Thursday 14 May allowing people to make appointments.
Appointments can be made via the councils customer service team: 01254 585585
People will be given a 30-minute window in which to visit, with the number of appointments available being limited to allow staff to check details on arrival and manage movements around the site to ensure social distancing.
Appointments will be made available several days ahead.
People will be limited to one visit to one site per calendar week and will not be able to book multiple visits to different sites.
We will be closely monitoring how this new way of operating works in practice and making adjustments to allow more appointments, or limit them, as necessary.
Residents should only book an appointment if it’s really essential that they dispose of excess waste. It is safer if people can continue to store any excess waste at home or dispose of it using their normal doorstop bin collection.
The bulky waste collections {insert link} are running across the borough.
Limitations on waste people can bring
Residents are asked to separate their wastes when loading it in their vehicles, to enable them to quickly and safely dispose of it once they are allowed into the site.
Visitors will not be able to walk freely around the recycling centre as they could previously. This is because the sites have been reconfigured to ensure social distancing and visitors will be asked to drive up to the particular skip(s) they need.
People cannot bring construction and demolition waste, also known as inert waste, and plaster, plasterboard or asbestos unless they have a permit, with bookings taken separately for this type of waste
The permits can be used on Tuesdays in Darwen and Wednesdays in Blackburn.
2Access by car only
People can only visit by car and they must have a valid booking for the time of their visit and where applicable, a permit.
Those with permits will be able to book an appointment to visit Darwen on Tuesdays and Blackburn on Wednesdays.
Large and bulky items
Site staff will not be able to help visitors carry large or bulky items due to the need to maintain social distancing. People must therefore be able to lift and dispose of any waste themselves, or with the help from a member of their household accompanying them. Only two residents from the same household per vehicle are allowed to visit the site, with the second person only helping move large items that cannot be moved by one person alone.
Behaviour on site
People will be advised of the various restrictions in place as they book and it’s vital that everyone takes the time to understand them.
A condition of visiting is that people observe these restrictions and respect our staff at all times. We are asking people to please be kind to our staff and each other. Abusive or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated.
People must not visit if they have any symptoms of coronavirus or should be self-isolating or are shielding.
Updates
We will be posting regular updates about HWRCs and the changes to the way our recycling centres will be operating.
You can find them at:
Website – www.theshuttle.org.uk
www.twitter.com/blackburndarwen
www.facebook.com/BlackburnDarwenCouncil/