Swanage residents must book appointments before visiting their local recycling center starting autumn 2025. Dorset Council plans to roll out the new system across all household recycling centers throughout the county. The free booking system lets people choose their preferred drop-off times online. Officials say this change will cut waiting periods and make visits faster for everyone. Trade waste dumping should decrease because the system tracks who uses each facility.
People need to reserve half-hour time slots up to two weeks ahead of their planned visit. The online booking requires basic details like names, addresses, and car registration numbers. Most appointments can be made for the same day without limits on visit frequency. A transition period will help people adjust to the new rules after launch. Staff will assist visitors who arrive without bookings during this adjustment phase.
Other counties already use similar booking systems with good results. Essex, Swindon, Suffolk, Kent and Gloucestershire councils report no major increases in illegal dumping. Dorset Council expects better traffic flow and higher recycling rates from the change. Current opening hours and waste acceptance policies will stay the same. Phone booking options will become available after the online system launches.
People need to reserve half-hour time slots up to two weeks ahead of their planned visit. The online booking requires basic details like names, addresses, and car registration numbers. Most appointments can be made for the same day without limits on visit frequency. A transition period will help people adjust to the new rules after launch. Staff will assist visitors who arrive without bookings during this adjustment phase.
Other counties already use similar booking systems with good results. Essex, Swindon, Suffolk, Kent and Gloucestershire councils report no major increases in illegal dumping. Dorset Council expects better traffic flow and higher recycling rates from the change. Current opening hours and waste acceptance policies will stay the same. Phone booking options will become available after the online system launches.
