Stirling area recycling centres to reopen next week with reduced capacity
by Kaiya Marjoribanks, https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/authors/kaiya-marjoribanks/Household waste and recycling centres at Polmaise and Callander are to reopen to residents from Monday, June 1.
The announcement follows changes in the Scottish Government guidance on essential travel during the Covid-19 outbreak.
All three of Stirling Council’s centres have been closed since the restrictions announced by the UK and Scottish Governments on March 23, due to the pandemic.
With a restricted household bin service operating, there had been calls from some quarters for the tips to reopen in recent weeks with some residents reporting having to store mounting waste over the lockdown, and fly-tipping concerns.
However, the council has maintained that any opening of the centres would have to be coordinated with openings nationally to avoid people travelling from different areas to use the facilities.
The centre at Balfron will remain closed at this time as queuing traffic and social distancing cannot be accommodated on-site.
Both Polmaise and Callander sites will have reduced capacity due to changes in the operational set-up to comply with national guidance on social distancing, which remains in force.
There will also be changes to the opening hours, and traffic flow at both sites.
Polmaise will now open Monday to Friday 9am – 2.30pm (last entry into the queue) and Callander will open Monday to Friday 5pm – 7.30pm (last entry into the queue).
During the initial period of reopening, residents will be able dispose of garden waste, cardboard and general waste in double-bagged black sacks at Polmaise, while Callander will only be able to accept general waste sealed in double-bagged black sacks.
The council says it hopes to be able to reinstate all waste streams at the centres as soon as possible, but are having to restrict the initial reopening phase due to anticipated demand and volumes of waste.
Full details on waste deposit arrangements at Polmaise and Callander are available on the Stirling Council website.
Environment and housing convener Councillor Jim Thomson said: “I’m pleased we are now in a position to re-open two of our household waste and recycling centres to residents across Stirling.
“We know the closure of these facilities has been frustrating for the public, but like all Scottish local authorities, we had to wait until Scottish Government guidance on essential travel changed before we could make this decision.
“If you are planning on using the sites, please read the instructions on our website, expect queues and follow the guidance of officers at the site.”
The reopening of Polmaise and Callander follows the resumption of the normal kerbside bin collection service on 1 June, giving residents an additional route to remove built-up waste and recycling from their properties during lockdown.
Vice convener Councillor Danny Gibson said: “This is another welcome step forward in restarting our waste service, coming on the same day as the resumption of our full household waste and recycling collections. Our waste services team have been working hard to put these interim arrangements in place at both Polmaise and Callander sites to ensure continued compliance with national guidance and the safety of the public and our staff.
“Both sites will be operating with restrictions for an interim period to adhere to Government restrictions on physical distancing as our battle with the disease continues. If you must use the centres please follow our guidance and the instructions of staff on the ground.”
Welcoming the update, Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache added: “Our staff, some my old colleagues, have done a great job keeping this going in very difficult circumstances,. It is very important we now work together in Stirling to face the challenges of the virus and of the climate crisis facing us all . I look forward to working constructively with my fellow councillors to tackle this.”
Full information on the new regulations and traffic management in force at both Polmaise and Callander is available on the Stirling Council website.