Press release - Mar 29, 2010 10:00 AM

Times are changing at Cornwall’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs)

With effect from 1st April, Cornwall’s HWRCs will adopt summer opening hours, opening at 9am and closing at 6pm, seven days a week. This will give customers an extra two hours at the end of each day to recycle a wide range of products.

As part of SITA Cornwall’s £15m programme to improve recycling facilities in the county, physical changes are also planned/underway at some of the HWRCs:

Planning approval in Launceston

The recent decision of Cornwall Council’s Strategic Planning Committee to grant planning approval for a new HWRC and Refuse Transfer Station at Pennygillam Industrial Estate, Launceston has been welcomed by SITA Cornwall as it continues to invest in, develop and improve its network of HWRCs.

SITA Cornwall’s existing operation at nearby Bangors is restricted in terms of space and Phil Rudin, the company’s Regional Manager for Cornwall and Devon said: “Residents of Cornwall recognise the importance of managing their waste carefully and we want to encourage recycling through the provision of modern, clean and safe HWRCs throughout the county.”

“We look forward to utilising the extra space on the proposed new site and increasing the range of recycling services we can offer to residents in this area, including hardcore and plastic bottles. When constructed, the new HWRC and Refuse Transfer Station will be utilising greater space and providing better road access”, he added.

Improvements at St Austell

Major development works continue on the site of the St Austell HWRC in Menear Road, where a facility with more space, better facilities and improved access is being created. The site remains open but in order to manage the project in a safe and practical manner a reduced recycling service is currently available.

Until the new site opens in the summer, the existing operation is only able to accept: Asbestos, batteries, chemicals, fridges and freezers, fluorescent tubes, gas bottles, glass, green waste, general waste, metal, oil, rubble, textiles, TVs and monitors, and tyres.

SITA Cornwall is advising members of the public to use alternative recycling centres at Wheal Prosper, Lanivet PL30 5HB and Connon Bridge, East Taphouse PL14 4NP to avoid possible delays. Local residents are encouraged to utilise their kerbside collection service, as well as bring banks that are situated in car parks and supermarkets in the area.

Commencement of works in Falmouth

Work is expected to begin on a new HWRC in Falmouth during April. The first phase of the works will see some excavation within the site to bring the levels down.

The following phase will see the installation of drainage infrastructure. The new site is expected to be open in late summer.