Telford and Wrekin Council Household Recycling centres move to residents-only access

From today, 1 April, Telford and Wrekin’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), which are funded through council tax, will be for borough residents only.

An estimated 30,000 visits to the sites each year are from outside Telford and Wrekin, which adds cost and puts extra pressure on the sites, particularly at busy times. Postcode surveys carried out at the sites found that around one in ten visits are from outside the borough.

Telford & Wrekin Council says the change is being introduced to help manage demand and prioritise access for residents while supporting continued investment in waste and recycling services, including maintaining no extra charge green waste collections.

Visitors may need to show proof of address when they arrive. This could be a driving license, a recent utility bill or a council tax bill, or a digital copy of these on a phone.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning and Sustainability, said:

“These centres are an important service for our residents and are funded through council tax.

“We are aware that some visitors are not Telford and Wrekin residents, which adds pressure on the sites and increases costs. This change helps make sure the service remains focused on our residents.

“We know this is a small change for people visiting the sites, but showing proof of address is quick and helps us manage demand and keep the service running.”

Hortonwood and Halesfield recycling centres are open seven days a week, 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.