It has recently been reported that Dorset Council is to introduce a booking system at its recycling centres across the county, which will require users to book a slot before they visit.
The announcement has drawn much opposition with thousands of people signing a petition against the scheme according to the BBC.
Today, 19th June, Dorset Council issued a statement titled ‘Fairer for Dorset Council taxpayers: Why Dorset Council is introducing a booking system at recycling centres’
The statement explains that the change is designed to protect services, reduce costs, improve the overall experience, and make funding fairer for residents.
Cllr Jon Andrews, Cabinet Member for Place Services, explained: “We know some residents are concerned about this change, but we’ve looked at lots of alternative options to identify savings. We know that closing sites, cutting opening hours, or limiting access could save money, but would have a huge negative impact on our residents. A booking system allows us to maintain the same valued level of service with lower running costs.”
Dorset Council, like many other councils, is facing serious financial pressures. The new booking system will deliver significant annual savings, including £100,000 at Shaftesbury and Sherborne alone – sites that see high use from residents outside Dorset. Other HRCs at Wimborne, Wareham, and Bridport will also contribute to further savings. There are potentially hundreds of thousands of pounds to be saved with future efficiencies, with other councils reporting annual savings of up to £650,000 a year.
Dorset Council says that it pays £435,000 to BCP Council so Dorset residents can use their recycling centres. However, BCP residents have been using Dorset’s sites for free. Under the new system, non-Dorset residents will still be able to book visits, but they’ll now pay a fee to help cover the cost of their waste disposal, and site maintenance. Dorset Council residents will continue to be able to visit our HRCs with no additional charge, and there are no plans to introduce access fees in the future.
The system will also help prevent misuse by commercial operators posing as household users, further reducing disposal costs and ensuring fair use of public services.
The booking system is not just about saving money or reducing queues. Cllr Andrews continues “People tend to make fewer trips, bringing more waste each time. That means fewer car journeys, less congestion, and lower emissions.”
Nearly half of England’s councils have already introduced booking systems at their recycling centres. Dorset Council’s system is based on successful models used elsewhere, with lessons learned from councils that have refined their approach over time.
Booking a slot will be done easily in a couple of minutes online, and for those who do not use the internet, a telephone booking option will also be introduced in due course.
Those people unable to book online from day one can still take their waste to an HRC where they will be given assistance with using the new system on site. Most bookings can be made for the same day, and there is no limit on the number of visits for most vehicles. Visitors can arrive at any point during their allocated half-hour slot, and anyone arriving late can simply speak to site staff before unloading their waste.
The system will go live later this year. For more information and updates, visit our HRC Booking System webpage.
Related item: New booking system coming later this year at household recycling centres
