Booking to use Kent County Council’s Household Waste Recycling Centres starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

People can book a slot either online at www.kent.gov.uk/hwrcbook or by phone on 03000 417373 from 11am on Wednesday.

Depending on demand, you may be placed into a virtual queue.

Government advice about essential visits to HWRCs is that journeys must only be made if the waste cannot be stored without causing risk of injury, health or harm.

It states: “Journeys to HWRCs must only be undertaken if your waste or recycling cannot be stored at home safely or disposed of safely by other means.

“By this we mean the waste cannot be stored without causing risk of injury, health or harm.

“No other reason for the journey would be considered a legitimate purpose.

“If you can temporarily store your waste or recycling in a way that does not pose a risk to yours or others safety or human health, then you must do so.”

The county’s 18 sites will open on Friday (May 15) for essential use between 9am and 3pm rather than the usual opening hours in order to allow for enhanced cleaning.

Cllr Susan Carey

KCC Cabinet Member for Environment Susan Carey said: “I would urge residents that need to use the HWRCs to read the advice on our website before travelling to ensure they can comply with the new rules, such as wearing gloves on site and bringing proof of booking with you.

“The government has said that if you can temporarily store your waste or recycling in a way that does not pose a risk to yours or others safety or human health, then you must do so.

“The booking system, developed by Medway Council, is crucial to ensure we can keep visitor numbers at a level where social distancing can be maintained and minimise queuing.

“Kerbside collections across Kent by the district and borough councils are now all, or about to be, fully reinstated by the districts and boroughs, including garden waste services.”

Most sites will be open seven days a week and will accept all types of waste including chargeable items.

Residents can only book one trip in any four-week period to allow all residents to have access to sites and must follow social distancing guidelines.

KCC operates 18 HWRCs, providing facilities for the recycling and disposal of more than 30 different types of waste, all of which will be accepted.

Medway residents can book an appointment to visit Capstone or Hoath Way, by visiting www.medway.gov.uk/tipbooking

Before visiting you must have:

• your booking reference number – this needs to be printed, available on a phone display or written down
• a pair of gloves (garden, latex, rubber etc) and a mask (if available) to limit the risk of infection, these must be taken home with you and disposed of.

Customers must only attend the site within their booking slot, if you miss your slot, you may not be permitted to use the site.

Booking

• Visitors to the site will be limited to help us manage social distancing.
• The number of bookings for each site will vary depending on the size of each site.
• You can only access the sites by booking an appointment. The quickest way to book is online.
• You can only book one trip in any four-week period. This is to enable all residents to. have fair access to our sites.
• If you want to drive a restricted vehicle to a Kent council site you’ll still need to apply for a vehicle voucher
• Restricted vehicles are not allowed to tow a trailer.
• Bookings will only be accepted from residents in Kent/Medway.
• You should not try to book a visit if you have symptoms of Covid-19, if you are part of a household undertaking 14-day isolation or if you someone who is in the shielded category.

Arriving at the site

• If you booked online you must bring your proof of booking email, either a printed copy or displayed on your phone.
• If you booked over the phone, bring the booking reference number we gave you when you made your booking.
• To reduce infection risk your car windows should remain closed when showing proof to staff.
• You must attend the site within your booking slot. If you miss your slot, you may not be allowed to use the site.
• We suggest you stagger your entry times within your booked slot, as we are expecting a high demand for the service.

Social distancing and safety

• You will need to observe the social distancing measures when visiting the sites. Site staff will not be able to offer their usual assistance to help unload and dispose of waste.
• A maximum of two people can leave each vehicle to dispose of bulky items without site staff help. However, if you do not have bulky items to dispose of, only one person can leave the vehicle to dispose of waste.
• Traffic management will be in place at all sites. Some sites may also block off every other parking bay so that customers and staff can keep to social distancing guidelines. Site staff will direct you.
• You will not be allowed onto the compactor platforms when a member of staff is operating the machines.
• You will need to follow site guidance, and this may include wearing gloves and masks. If you wear either gloves or masks, you’ll need to take them home for disposal to avoid the risk of cross contamination.
• We ask that visitors to the HWRCs are patient as we all get used to this new way of using the sites. The restrictions are in place for everyone’s protection. If you do not follow site rules you may be asked to leave the site. Security will be in place at the sites. Please be aware that site security includes Automatic Number Plate Recognition, CCTV and body-worn cameras.
• The site may need to close temporarily for cleaning with no warning.
• If you need to dispose of waste contaminated with coronavirus this should be carried out at kerbside. If this is not possible then you need to double bag the material and store this securely for 72 hours before bringing it to the site.