The rules everyone must follow at Harrogate's waste recycling centre

One of Harrogate's waste centres reopened its doors to a queue of keen recyclers yesterday - and a strict set of rules were enforced for the first time.
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But what exactly are the new measures that have been put in place at the Penny Pot Lane tip - and when is it safe to visit?

Firstly, North Yorkshire County Council has made it clear that a visit to the tip should only be considered essential if the rubbish cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury or harm to health.

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In Coun Andrew Lee's words, you should only go to the tip if you are "struggling" with your rubbish.

Harrogate's Penny Pot Lane recycling centre is one of ten which have reopened in the region.Harrogate's Penny Pot Lane recycling centre is one of ten which have reopened in the region.
Harrogate's Penny Pot Lane recycling centre is one of ten which have reopened in the region.

People are advised to wear gloves on site and are reminded to wash their hands before and after visiting.

And those who should not visit at all are the extremely vulnerable, people with coronavirus symptoms and those in a 14-day household isolation.

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Visitors can expect to arrive to an orderly queuing system.

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Only one person is allowed out of their vehicle once on-site, with other passengers being told they must stay inside.

And it goes without saying, social distancing must be observed, with people being told to stay at least two metres apart at all times.

It is also worth noting that there will be a cut-off point for the queues, so if they become too long people will need to leave and come back later.

To support social distancing, site staff will be unable to help with the disposal of your waste. This means you should ensure that you are able to unload your vehicle by yourself.

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People will be able to separate waste into different skips. The usual rules will apply for chargeable waste, with payment by card only being accepted.

Commercial waste will not be accepted and - as normal- commercial vehicles that are registered with the council will be permitted on site.

Trailers will also not be allowed until further notice.

Harrogate's Wetherby Road recycling centre - as well as Ripon's Dallamires Lane site - will remain closed.

The council has reopened 10 of its 20 sites where social distancing can be easily maintained.

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The Penny Pot Lane site is operating normal opening hours of 8.30am until 5pm, seven days per week, including Bank Holidays.

Coun Andrew Lee, Executive Member for Waste Management, said: “I am pleased that we can move forward now, and thank residents for their support of the measures we have taken to date and in anticipation of their continued support to ensure the arrangements we are now putting in place can operate successfully.

“Please consider others and go to the HWRC only if you are struggling. If you can store your waste at home, please do so. And please continue to try to minimise waste and where possible use your kerbside collection services rather than visiting a recycling centre. Ask yourself whether your trip to the centre is really an essential journey.

“As outlined in government guidance, a visit to your local HWRC should only be considered essential if the waste materials cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury or harm to health.

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“We want the sites to work as efficiently as they can, while prioritising the health and safety of residents and our staff, so we would ask people for their patience during the first few days of operation.”

By Jacob Webster, Local Democracy Reporter

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