Changes to Bristol’s Household Waste Recycling Centres

As well as moving to the Winter opening hours of 8am to 4.15 pm from October 29 2012, Bristol City Council will be making changes to the way the Avonmouth and St Philips Household Waste Recycling Centres operate.

The changes will help to control congestion for Bristol residents who are bringing domestic waste.  They will also control the costs to local council taxpayers for recycling and waste disposal and fund the operation of the planned Household Waste Recycling Centre in South Bristol.

The changes include:

Checking visitors are Bristol residents - around twenty percent of people using the centres are not Bristol residents.  Neighbouring authorities restrict the use of their centres to reduce queues and save money.   Spot checks will now be carried out at Bristol Household Waste Recycling Centres to ensure all users are Bristol residents. A driving licence, a recent utility bill or council tax bill will be accepted as proof of residence. CCTV will also help in maintaining safety for both visitors and staff. 

Limits on DIY and construction waste - the number of bags of DIY and construction waste brought to the Household Waste Recycling Centres by residents carrying out home projects will be limited to one car boot load or six 25kg bags per visit or per week, whichever is the less. This type of waste is classed as industrial waste even if it is generated at home, which means that Councils do not have a statutory responsibility to accept it. By limiting how much people can dispose of will bring Bristol in line with other local authorities and ensure that it is a service for Bristol residents only, rather than traders trying to dispose of their waste for free.

Examples of DIY and Construction materials include hardcore rubble, plasterboard, roofing material or soil. Only three sheets of bonded asbestos will be accepted per visit or per week, whichever is the less. All asbestos must be double wrapped and sealed with tape.

Changes to the permit scheme - the Council is changing the permit scheme that affects vans, pick ups and trailers over 5ft in length to make sure that permit holders are using their vehicles to dispose of household waste only. The days permit users can use the HWRCs will be restricted to Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. The existing height restriction of 2.4 metres still applies.

Permit holders will also need to provide a copy of their vehicles V5 registration document, driving licence and one recent utility or council tax bill when they apply for a permit. Letters will be sent out to existing permit holders informing them of the changes before 29 October 2012.