Changes to household waste recycling centres in Cheshire East come into effect today (5 August) including one nearby staying open an hour longer weekdays during August and September.

And Middlewich household waste recycling centre is now temporarily closed.   

  ·       HWRCs in Alsager, Crewe, Macclesfield and Knutsford are now open for an extra hour during weekdays, meaning during this month and September, residents can visit up until 6pm. 

• Residents wishing to visit Alsager, Crewe, Macclesfield or Knutsford HWRC during weekends or Bank Holidays now need to book a slot online in advance of their visit. This is so peak period service demand can be managed safely and effectively. 

·       Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich HWRCs are now under an emergency temporary closure. 

·       Residents in the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas can book a slot online to visit a mobile household waste recycling centre – they can also visit any of the other HWRCs in the borough. The mobile HWRC is alternating between the three towns and each one will receive one visit per month. 

More information – including the link to the booking system – is available here

The changes to HWRCs are being introduced on a temporary and trial basis to ensure essential savings are made in 2024/25.  

 The council is currently forecasting a funding gap of £100m over the next four years and must continue to make difficult decisions to ensure it can continue to support those who need help the most. 

Councillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council's environment and communities committee, said: "We have been working hard to reduce the impact the emergency closure of some of our HWRCs may have and have introduced a number of changes. 

This includes the booking system for visiting HWRCs at weekends and Bank Holidays, as well as for the mobile HWRC for the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas. 

"I would like to reassure residents that the online process for booking a slot is quick and easy. We have also updated our website with lots of information about how the system works. 

"This includes information about what residents will need to take with them to the HWRC, how long in advance they can book, and when and where the mobile HWRC will be." 

 Cllr Warren added: "Before residents make a trip to a HWRC, I also encourage them to think about whether any of the items they are wanting to get rid of could be given a new lease of life instead. 

"There are so many options to reduce our waste and rethink recycling, such as donating items to charity shops, which usually accept items like furniture, toys and books." 

The changes that came into effect today have been introduced separately to an ongoing review of HWRCs. 

Throughout the emergency closures and as part of the ongoing review of HWRCs, the council will continue to engage with town councils to explore opportunities for working in partnership to support HWRC services in their local areas.

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