What you need to know

From 4 November, Shropshire Council is introducing a booking system across its household recycling centres.

The changes would reduce queues and prevent sites from being used by non county residents, the authority said, adding it would also mean financial savings.

Bookings can be made either online or over the phone, with the new system meaning users can no longer just turn up – a potential frustration the council said it recognised.

“I’d just like the residents of Shropshire to work with us, engage with us, understand why this is – there are reasons we’re doing this, it will help save money,” said Ian Nellins, deputy leader and portfolio holder for climate change, environment and transport.

The centres are in Shrewsbury, Whitchurch, Craven Arms, Bridgnorth, and Oswestry.

They will all remain open seven days a week until March 2025, when a review of operations will take place.

“We very much wanted to keep all the household recycling centres open, which is what our residents said in consultation,” said Mr Nellins.

“We did look at closing them all one day a week, but they’ll stay open completely because we’ve had extra funding from Veolia.”

The service will remain free and open to all residents from across Shropshire.

Mr Nellins said the new booking system would help the authority save money, as people often travelled from Staffordshire, Wales, Wolverhampton and Cheshire to use Shropshire’s recycling centres.

“We have a lot of people come from outside of Shropshire to recycle their waste, and Shropshire residents are funding the processing of that waste at the tune of over £100 a tonne,” he told BBC Radio Shropshire.

“We will save a lot of money by being able to police that, by people when they come to household recycling centres being checked [for] a booking.”

When you book, you will be given a 15-minute slot, or 30 minutes if you have a van or trailer.

When you arrive, you will be asked to show proof of address, like a driving licence, utility bill, or council tax bill.

You will be turned away if you have not booked.

“Staff will be as flexible as possible to help people if they’re slightly earlier or slightly late,” said Mr Nellins.

You will be able to use a recycling centre in Shropshire.

“There’s a few things to be ironed out there, but yes, in principal, as far as we’re concerned, Telford and Wrekin residents will still be able to use ours,” said Mr Nellins.

“We’re negotiating with Telford and Wrekin that our residents that are closer to theirs, will use theirs.”

Benefits included less congestion and more help from staff, Mr Nellins said.

Due to less traffic, staff would be able to help people put recycling in the right places, which in turn would boost recycling rates, he added.

You can book online or by phone.

Bookings begin from 29 October, and the new system comes into effect from 4 November.

You will be able to book a slot up to six days before your visit, and will also be able to book on the same day.