A booking system is to be brought back for those using Household Waste Recycling sites such as Spalding tip in West Marsh Road.
Lincolnshire County Council’s Executive has today (July 14) approved the measure and rejected another option to open the tips for longer than the current five days a week.
A booking system was brought in during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
The authority says it has made the decision based on feedback from 2,000 residents and a change is needed because it’s taking 50 per cent more waste now than in 2021.
A county council spokesman said: “The booking system will enable visits to be spread more evenly throughout the day, helping to reduce queues both on and off site, improve access to waste streams, support staff and customers, and provide better protection against misuse of the service by traders and non-Lincolnshire residents.
“It will also support improvements in recycling performance by allowing staff more time to assist residents with correctly separating recyclable materials.
“Alongside the booking system, improvements will be made across the county’s Household Waste Recycling Centres, including upgraded signage, improved layouts and investment in site infrastructure where required.
“These works will create a more consistent standard across the network and further improve the experience for residents.”
The authority says opening the tips an extra day would cost it £1.5m a year.
Coun Danny Brookes, executive for environment, said: “Today’s decision is about making sure our Household Waste Recycling Centres continue to provide the best possible service for Lincolnshire residents, both now and in the future.
“As more people use our sites each year, we need to make sure they remain safe, efficient and easy to use. The improvements agreed today, including the introduction of a booking system, are designed to reduce queuing, make visits more straightforward and improve the overall experience for residents. They will also help us make the best use of our sites, reduce congestion and continue to support high levels of recycling and reuse.
“We understand that any change to a well-used public service will generate questions, and we want to reassure residents that nothing will change immediately. There will be a period of preparation before the new arrangements are introduced, with clear information, guidance and support available every step of the way so everyone knows what to expect.”
Chris Yorston, Head of Waste, said: “These recommendations are about ensuring our Household Waste Recycling Centres continue to meet the needs of Lincolnshire residents for many years to come.
“By managing demand more effectively, we’ll be able to reduce queues, improve safety, provide a better experience for residents and make the best possible use of public money while continuing to improve recycling performance.”
