Seven local tips to re-open this month

Leicestershire county council says it will open the gates on Monday 18th May at seven of its waste sites.

The county recycling and household waste sites to open are at Barwell, Lount, Market Harborough, Melton Mowbray, Mountsorrel, Oadby and Whetstone.

The seven county sites will be open to county residents only. 

The county council is also looking to introduce a booking system.

People are being asked to only go to the sites if stored waste is becoming unsafe at home and at risk of causing injury, illness or harm.

The council says its working closely with other local authorities in the region around co-ordinating the re-opening of sites so people don’t travel to neighbouring areas to dispose of waste.

Social distancing will be in operation at all city and county sites, and plans will also include traffic management arrangements.

There will be restrictions to the type of items which people will be able to bring to county locations - so some waste types will still have to wait.

People are asked to only bring what they cannot safely store at home for the time being or cannot wait for their kerbside collection services.

Councillor Trevor Pendleton, county council cabinet member for waste disposal said: “At the sites, we’ll be accepting general waste items that cannot be recycled, and would have to go to landfill, as well as garden waste, wood and hardcore.

“We’re also encouraging people to think differently about how they deal with their waste. For example, if people are having a clear out, bear in mind that charity shops will need our support when they re-open so holding on to things to donate would really help.

“If people have green waste, we’re asking them to think about investing in a compost bin or starting a compost heap in the garden."