The city and county councils say they are working hard to re-open some of their recycling and household waste sites later this month.
Under new Government guidelines, sites can re-open for waste that can’t be stored safely at home.
Leicestershire County Council says it will open the gates on Monday, 18th May – at seven sites over seven days a week. The county sites opening 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 for their sites.
Leicester City Council will open its Gypsum Close site for five days a week, starting on Wednesday, 20 May.
The city council has also re-opened its large bulky waste collection service, which city residents can book online, and it continues to operate a weekly refuse and kerbside recycling service.
The city council’s other site at Freemen’s Common remains closed.
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.
Both councils are 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.
Councillor Trevor Pendleton, county council cabinet member for waste disposal said: “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, many of which are being reinstated.
“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.”
Deputy city mayor, Cllr Adam Clarke, said: “Even when our Gypsum Close site re-opens, it’s vital that trips to the waste site should only be for essential journeys, if waste materials cannot be stored safely at home.
“I would ask everyone to think carefully before they go to a waste site about whether they really need to. The key thing is your safety – if waste is piling up and it isn’t safe, then bring it to a site – but if not, keep it at home for now.
“We are continuing with our weekly refuse, recycling and garden waste collections, and have restarted our bulky waste collection, so this is also an option. More details on this and on restrictions on waste that can be taken to Gypsum Close are on the city council’s website.”
Keep up to date with plans for county waste sites at: www.leicestershire.gov.uk/waste
For city waste sites, visit: www.leicester.gov.uk/waste