Concerns booking system will 'discourage recycling'

Concerns have been raised about fly-tipping and overflowing kerbside bins after a council introduced a booking system for its recycling centres.

West Northamptonshire Council brought in the new process on 3 November for all six of its household waste recycling centres.

Nearly 700 people have signed a petition opposing the new system, and a local campaign group claimed people would put the wrong materials in their waste bins.

The local authority said the change would help to reduce queues, ease traffic on nearby roads and make visits smoother for residents.

The petition calls for the council to consult residents and launch a pilot scheme.

Peter Duffy, chair of Brixworth Litter Wombles, said: "There's been no consultation and I'm scared that people will just put stuff in their bins.

"Recently there was a fire within one of the recycling lorries due to a car battery. I think we're going to see more of that."

Mr Duffy added: "The whole idea of a recycling centre is to encourage people to recycle."

He said the new scheme had "put something in place that is discouraging" people to recycle properly.

"From what we do from a litter picking point of view, there is an element of laziness within the population. It's not everybody, but I think people just won't book."

Neighbouring Warwickshire County Council, which is also Reform-led, recently introduced a six-month trial where a booking is not required to visit any of the county's recycling centres.

On the council's website it states the trial "aims to make the service more accessible while maintaining efficiency and safety".

West Northamptonshire council said a review of other local authorities which were using booking systems showed "no evidence to suggest increased fly-tipping".

"We will be monitoring the introduction of the booking scheme very closely alongside our enforcement team," it added.

Councillor for environment, recycling and waste, Nigel Stansfield, said: "In November alone, more than 30,000 residents used the sites, including over 4,200 visits to Brixworth.

"For anyone unable to book online, our friendly team is here to help by phone, and in November they supported nearly 700 residents with bookings or assistance."

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.