Essex recycling centres closed to ensure social distancing

Essex recycling centres will remain closed over the Easter weekend to ensure social distancing rules are observed.

Recycling centres have been shut throughout the current lockdown, to deter people from making unnecessary journeys. The centres are also spaces which make social distancing difficult.

Cllr Simon Walsh, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for the Environment and Climate Change Action, said:

“If we are following the Stay Home, Save Lives message, then I am afraid a trip to the tip really doesn’t count as an essential journey, and the police would not view it as such.

“We cannot put the public or our staff at unnecessary risk.”

For green waste and cuttings, home composting is an excellent option while the current restrictions are in place. 

If you were planning to carry out DIY this weekend, please ensure you have enough storage space to hold onto your waste items until recycling sites reopen. Residents are asked to act responsibly and not to place items such as DIY waste or recyclable material into your kerbside general rubbish collection. This will take up space in the collection vehicles needed for general household rubbish and place additional strain on collection crews.

You can find out more about ways to reduce your waste during the lockdown here.