Booking system for tips will cause ‘explosion in fly-tipping’, says councillor

A new booking system for Bristol’s rubbish tips could cause an “explosion in citywide fly-tipping”, a councillor fears.

Residents will have to book a slot before visiting household recycling centres from June 6.

This will replace the current vehicle registration plate system brought in during the pandemic to manage numbers and encourage social distancing.

City council-owned Bristol Waste says the new way of working will reduce queues, waiting times and emissions from stationary traffic.

But Bishopsworth Tory councillor Richard Eddy is concerned it will create inconvenience and see householders turned away if they are late to arrive because of traffic, with cars-full of rubbish being dumped by the roadside instead of taken back home.

From 6 June 2022 you will need to book to visit the Recycling Centres. The online and phone booking system will open on 23 May for bookings on 6 June. You will be able to book up to two weeks in advance, or as little as one hour before your visit. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/6h91BBxMiE

— Bristol Waste (@BristolWaste) May 9, 2022

Eddy said: “I truly fear this ill-thought-out booking system will lead to an explosion in citywide fly-tipping. Already, during the covid pandemic, we have experienced a massive rise in littering and fly-tipping.

“If Bristolians are forced to accept a booking system where they cannot be assured of taking recyclable items to the tip at a specified time and may be turned away,  I can foresee a huge upsurge in Bristolians leaving their waste illegally elsewhere.”

He said the council’s “fanfare of extravagant claims” about the benefits of the new system should be treated with caution because it could make life more difficult for residents.

Eddy added: “I am also gravely concerned that, before introducing this system, the council or Bristol Waste never bothered to consult with the very people who are most important – our customers.”

Avonmouth Household Waste & Recycling Centre was refurbished last year and reopened with a new name, Household Reuse & Recycling Centre – photo: Chris Bahn

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “The new booking system launching on May 23 will help manage the heavy demand on the city’s household reuse and recycling centres.

“It will reduce queues, drive down emissions from queuing vehicles, ensure a smoother on-site experience for our residents and prevent any unnecessary journeys to the centres.

“We have received complaints about all of these issues from residents in the past and the new system has been designed to address these.

“It’s quick and simple to use, and enables residents to book up to two weeks in advance, or as little as one hour before their visit.

“As with any journey a degree of planning will be needed to ensure arrival on time, however staff at the centres will do their best to accommodate residents where late arrivals are unavoidable.

Booking opens on May 23 for the St Philips and Avonmouth tips at www.bristol.gov.uk/bookrecycling or by phoning 0117 922 2100 between 8.30am and 6pm Monday to Friday, except 12pm to 1.30pm on Wednesdays.

Main photo: Jess Connett

Read more: New booking system launched in a bid to tackle delays at Bristol recycling centres

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