Guildford’s Recycling Centre in Slyfield

From Monday, June 1, residents will be able to take more types of waste to Surrey’s community recycling centres.

Ten of Surrey’s Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) were reopened on May 11, but only for black bag waste and garden waste. From June 1 more materials, including wood, scrap metal, small electronics and white goods, will be accepted once again.

A Surrey County Council spokesperson said: “Unfortunately, the sites won’t be able to accept chargeable waste (soil, rubble, plasterboard or tyres), as staff are unable to safely process payments, or textiles, as reprocessors are not currently able to take it.

“Whilst we offer this essential service to residents, it is important we maintain social distancing measures for the safety and wellbeing of staff and visitors to the sites. There will be clearly marked walkways and only one person will be able to be on the gantries to access the containers at any time.”

As a result of the social distancing measures, the number of people allowed on the site at any one time will be limited. It’s expected that only a quarter of cars will be able to pass through the sites, compared to the typical peak time visitor levels at this time of year. Therefore, queues are expected and people should only visit the CRC if it’s essential. Visitor’s should follow instructions from traffic marshals.

The recycling centre at Slyfield, Guildford on May 13.

Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change, said: “Thank you to all the residents who have passed through our CRCs recently for their understanding of the measures in place and for their gratitude to site staff. Accepting two types of waste has helped residents to clear the black bag waste and garden waste they will have been holding onto while the sites were closed.

“Following the successful re-opening of the sites, I’m pleased that we can now start to move to accepting more materials. But that means demand to access the sites will increase while capacity on site still needs to be limited. Please don’t come to a CRC unless you need to and be patient when queueing.”

Over the past few weeks, the CRCs have operated with extended opening hours in order to manage demand from residents. Over the coming weeks, the sites will transition back to standard opening hours. This means that from June 1, all sites that are currently operating, except Farnham and Camberley, will be open from 8am to 5pm. Then, from Monday, June 8, all ten sites that are currently operating will be open from 8am to 4pm.

Residents using a van, pick-up or trailer will be able to visit the sites again from Monday 1 June, but will still need a van permit, as usual. Due to social distancing measures, staff will not be able to assist you in unloading vehicles, this includes white goods. So visitors should only take what they can carry themselves.

Unfortunately, the Revive re-use shops remain closed at this time and the sites do not have capacity to store items for re-use, so please hold onto these at home for the time being.

The full list of what can be taken will be available from June 1 on the Surrey County Council website or by calling 03456 009 009.