Fifteen recycling centres are reopening in Essex with social distancing measures and new site restrictions, but long delays are expected.

Harlow and Chigwell recycling centres are among the fifteen sites reopening next Monday (May 18).

Love Essex have warned that the number of cars allowed at one time will be limited, and visitors should be patient and expect long delays.

They urged that if you can hold onto your waste, to do so until the sites are fully operational. Trips to the recycling centre should be only essential if there is no alternative available.

Instead, people are urged to get rid of waste and recycling through kerbside collection.

Councillor David Finch, leader of Essex County Council: “Following on from the government’s announcement of the gradual easing of some of the restrictions of lockdown, Essex County Council has begun its own work to gradually reintroduce some services.”

What advice is given?

• Only waste or recycling which cannot be stored at home without causing a health or safety risk will be accepted.

• Please do not visit a recycling centre more than once per day.

• Vans are only allowed for essential household waste and will only be allowed at sites which previously accepted vans. Please be considerate as unloading of vans will take longer and cause delays for other site users.

• Please be patient as visits are likely to take longer than normal so expect long queues.

• Do not queue before the site opens. This will prevent both site staff and collection crews from accessing the depots so they can start work.

• Long queues outside the sites may add to local traffic congestion. You may be asked to move on if you are causing an obstruction.

Which Essex sites are open?

The following sites will open on Monday 18 May:

• Braintree Recycling Centre

• Brentwood Recycling Centre

• Canvey Recycling Centre

• Chelmsford Recycling Centre

• Chigwell Recycling Centre

• Clacton Recycling Centre

• Colchester Recycling Centre

• Harlow Recycling Centre

• Maldon Recycling Centre

• Mountnessing Recycling Centre

• Pitsea Recycling Centre

• Rayleigh Recycling Centre

• Saffron Walden Recycling Centre

• South Woodham Ferrers Recycling Centre

• Witham Recycling Centre

Other sites have remained closed as it is difficult to implement social distancing measures at smaller centres.

For tips on how to reduce household waste, visit here.