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We operate seven household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) across the county for residents to bring household waste to be disposed of and recycled. Fifteen per cent of waste in Oxfordshire is disposed of through these sites.
They're getting close to capacity and as the population grows, we want to ensure that they continue to help you manage your waste in the most environmentally friendly way.
Have your say
We'd like to hear what you think about Oxfordshire’s HWRC service, if and how you currently use it and your opinions on some of the ideas we've had for the future. We'll use this information to help us plan the network of sites and how they are run going forward.
There are two ways you can do this. Fill in our online survey using the take survey button below. Join in the conversation on two ideas we’ve had for our HWRC’s using the ideas button below.
Idea 1: Asking people to sort the black bag waste (household waste) they bring to our HWRCs rather than simply throwing it into the general waste container – with your support this could help us achieve even better recycling rates
Idea 2: Introducing some form of booking system at our HWRCs.
Alternative formats
We know that some people can’t or find it difficult to take part in online consultations or need things in a different format such as large print, easy read or a different language etc to have their say.
If you, or anyone you know needs a printed copy of the questionnaire, information in an alternative format or help with sharing their thoughts on our ideas board please email wastemanagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call the county council's Customer Services Team on 01865 792422. Please note the council's Customer Services Team are unable to answer any detailed questions about the project.
We are also putting paper copies of the questionnaire in libraries and making them available at our HWRCs.
We operate seven household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) across the county for residents to bring household waste to be disposed of and recycled. Fifteen per cent of waste in Oxfordshire is disposed of through these sites.
They're getting close to capacity and as the population grows, we want to ensure that they continue to help you manage your waste in the most environmentally friendly way.
Have your say
We'd like to hear what you think about Oxfordshire’s HWRC service, if and how you currently use it and your opinions on some of the ideas we've had for the future. We'll use this information to help us plan the network of sites and how they are run going forward.
There are two ways you can do this. Fill in our online survey using the take survey button below. Join in the conversation on two ideas we’ve had for our HWRC’s using the ideas button below.
Idea 1: Asking people to sort the black bag waste (household waste) they bring to our HWRCs rather than simply throwing it into the general waste container – with your support this could help us achieve even better recycling rates
Idea 2: Introducing some form of booking system at our HWRCs.
Alternative formats
We know that some people can’t or find it difficult to take part in online consultations or need things in a different format such as large print, easy read or a different language etc to have their say.
If you, or anyone you know needs a printed copy of the questionnaire, information in an alternative format or help with sharing their thoughts on our ideas board please email wastemanagement@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call the county council's Customer Services Team on 01865 792422. Please note the council's Customer Services Team are unable to answer any detailed questions about the project.
We are also putting paper copies of the questionnaire in libraries and making them available at our HWRCs.
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Around 60% of the waste placed in the ‘general waste’ bin at HWRCs could have been recycled. If we can place this in the correct containers, not only is it far better for the environment, it also helps to save money (potentially over £300,000 per year) which can then potentially be spent on other council services.
Along with better communications to discourage the disposal of materials that could be recycled, we would like to stop unsorted waste being placed in the container (once recyclables are in the skips it is difficult for our staff to safely remove it). This approach is taken at a number of sites in the UK and has raised site recycling rates by up to 15%. (Oxfordshire’s HWRC recycling rate is currently 66.75%).
We want to make it as easy as possible for people to do the right thing, whilst respecting residents’ privacy. We would value your thoughts on the following ideas, or any other suggestions you have for how we could approach this on site:
Ask residents to sort recyclable from non recyclable material at home. Ban black (or other opaque/non-see through) bags from site – residents must use a clear bag or open box. If a black/opaque bag is used, or if site staff see recyclables through a clear bag or in an open box, they will ask residents to sort through it (an area will be provided on site to do this)
Ask residents to sort recyclable from non recyclable material at home. Material must be brought to site loose (or only one type of material in a bag or box if its not possible to bring it loose). If bags or boxes of mixed waste are brought to site, site staff will ask residents to sort through it (an area will be provided on site to do this)
Ask residents to sort recyclable from non recyclable material at home. Turn away mixed material brought to site in bags or boxes and ask residents to return once it is sorted.
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In 2020 a number of Councils introduced booking systems following temporary closure of sites as a means of controlling the demand at the centres and in response to the need for social distancing and work place rules. Whilst the booking systems were primarily put in place as a result of the pandemic, many authorities have chosen to maintain the system having seen the following benefits:
certainty that customers will be able to access the Centres has reduced wasted car journeys
customers are bringing their waste in bulk, therefore visiting less frequently, which reduces traffic movements
reduced queueing, traffic movements and wasted journeys benefit the environment and local air quality
customers have been able to plan their leisure time more effectively with certainty of a booking
centre maintenance can be planned in line with customer demand, rather than disrupting the service at times that customers are accessing the Centre
communications with customers are improved, for example, informing directly of any potential service issues
site staff can spend more time supporting customers rather managing traffic queues
However, there are disadvantages of the booking system which include:
customers cannot make spontaneous decisions about visiting a Centre without using the booking system
customers with larger volumes of household waste may have to estimate how many trips are needed rather than making multiple spontaneous visits.
As we explore the concept of a booking system at HWRCs, we would value your thoughts on the following ideas, or any other suggestions you have:
Registration Process
We recognise that some residents may be infrequent users of the site and others use them on a more regular basis, in addition others may have concerns regarding the holding of data.
Have a once only registration system which once completed provides the user enables users to book or cancel bookings at any of the 7 available sites.
Having a booking system where no details are taken other than postcode and vehicle registration number but would be required to re-enter each time you wanted to book a slot at the selected HWRC site.
Managing Demand
During busy times, sites can have long queues which can cause traffic issues, frustrate users, and cause unnecessary trips which can potentially lead to instances of fly-tipping.
To have a booking system which is only active on peak days and bank holidays.
To have a booking system which is active 7 days a week
Booking Slots
We recognise that residents will have both planned trips to the household waste sites and will still need access for unplanned trips.
To retain as much free access as possible, visits will only be able to be booked up to 7 days in advance and second visits on the same day to any other OCC cannot be booked.
There will be no restriction on the number of slots that can be booked and no limit on how far forward a resident could request a booking. However, a percentage of the available slots will only be available to be booked on the day to retain same day access.
Let's talk waste and recycling has finished this stage
This consultation is open for contributions.
Under Review
Let's talk waste and recycling is currently at this stage
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
this is an upcoming stage for Let's talk waste and recycling
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.