Chelson Meadow household waste recycling centre will re-open on Wednesday 13 May, for garden waste, electrical equipment and bagged household waste only.
The decision has been taken in line with the latest Government guidance and measures will be in place to ensure social distancing at all times and protect customers and staff.
Councillor Sue Dann, Cabinet Member for Environment and Street Scene, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience while our recycling centres have been closed. We know this has been inconvenient but the safety of our customers and staff has to be our number one priority.
“The official Government guidance remains to stay at home and limit non-essential journeys – and it is clear that if you can continue to store your waste safely at home then you are expected to do so.
“However, if you genuinely cannot store your waste without a risk of injury or harm to your health (and you can’t dispose of it by other means) the Government is advising that it would be legitimate to travel to a recycling centre.
“Re-opening Chelson Meadow is not a return to normal. We would ask everybody to carefully consider whether they desperately need to use the site at this time. Government advice clearly states that you must only travel to the site if it is absolutely necessary.
“We will be working at a significantly reduced capacity, only accepting certain items and we cannot provide assistance with unloading.
“There will be traffic management to control queuing and maintain access for local residents and businesses and people should be prepared for much longer waiting times than normal. If the queue is ‘full’ you may have to come back later.
“We will be keeping a close eye on how things go and if there are no issues we will hopefully look to reintroduce other services gradually, on a phase-by-phase basis.”
The centre will only be accepting garden waste (not soil), electrical equipment and bagged household waste. The following items will not be taken:
- Antifreeze, asbestos or chemicals
- Batteries (car or household)
- Fluorescent tubes or low energy lamps
- Gas bottles
- Hazardous waste
- Plasterboard
- Paint
- Oil (cooking or engine)
- Soil or hardcore
The number of cars allowed onto the site will be restricted, with a maximum of two adults per car and strictly no children. No vans or trailers will be allowed and there will be no pedestrian access to the site. Staff will not be able to help with unloading vehicles.
Visitors are asked to stay in their cars while queuing to maintain social distancing and to not get out on site until they need to. Anyone who doesn’t comply with the social distancing guidance in place will be asked to leave. No-one should visit if they are unwell.
As always, the centre will only be open Plymouth residents and visitors should display proof of address, such as a council tax, gas or electricity bill, in their windscreen. Opening hours will be 8am to 6pm, seven days a week.
Further details on the traffic management arrangements will be announced on Monday 11 May.