INDUSTRY NEWS
INDUSTRY NEWS
DEFRA urges the re-opening of HWRCs with safety guidance
THE Government has joined its voices to the industry associations calling on councils to re-open Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) as soon as is safely possible.
On 28 April, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick addressed the House of Commons, saying: “Our bin men and women have done a fantastic job maintaining the vast majority of collections. The Government published advice to councils on how to ensure the safety of refuse collections on 7 April. Today I can announce that I am asking councils to plan the organised opening of household waste collection sites."
This was followed on 5 May with DEFRA publishing guidance for local authorities on how they could safely re-open HWRCs throughout the lockdown while ensuring the safety of both staff and visitors.
The guidance states that “There is no reason in law why HWRCs cannot be open and where possible, local authorities should seek to retain access to HWRC services for their residents to dispose of waste.”
However, it goes on to explain that the Government would not be setting a date by which they should be open or obliging all councils to comply. “We recognise that the opening of HWRCs will depend on local circumstances and resource availability. A ‘one size fits all’ approach is not appropriate. The decision to open a HWRC remains with the relevant local authority.
“There are also legitimate reasons for some HWRCs to remain closed, safety being paramount including if insufficient staff are available to operate the site safely.”
Figures from ADEPT suggest that around 90% of HWRCs in English councils are shut. DEFRA’s guidance, however, states that that could be due to a simple misunderstanding and a desire to err on the side of caution. “We recognise many local authorities closed HWRCs because it was considered that journeys to them could not be justified alongside “stay at home” advice, however, the law does not require HWRCs to close.”
The WRA has welcomed guidance on the reopening of HWRCs and in particular
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clarification over the issue of essential journeys.
WRA Chair Andy Hill said: "I think it’s helpful for HWRC operators and local authorities to have clear guidance from DEFRA, particularly clarification over the essential journey issue which was causing a lot of confusion. HWRCs play such a vital role in the movement of recyclate and therefore the overall economy so it is key we keep them running where safe and practical to do so.
“We know a lot of HWRCs are currently working on plans to safely reopen sites in the coming days and weeks. Inevitably there will be a rush from the public but hopefully this will be manageable and will quickly settle down. I very much look forward to seeing wood and other materials flowing into their end markets in the very near future.”
You can read the guidance HERE.
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