Wrexham’s household waste recycling centres will reopen on Friday with 10 ‘strict conditions’ to follow

Wrexham’s household waste recycling centres will reopen this Friday, May 15th.

The sites were closed in early April as part of the council’s response to Covid-19, and in line with government guidelines on essential travel.

Last Friday, Welsh Government confirmed plans to extend the lockdown for a further three weeks but with minor amendments, which include letting people travel to recycling sites when they reopen as part of the ‘reasonable excuse’ to go on essential journeys.

“Strict conditions” of use will be implemented to ensure the safety of both staff and the public.

Ten rules have been issued by the council that you must follow, or face enforcement action.

• Don’t go to the sites if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of Covid-19, or is ‘shielding’ because of an underlying health condition.
• Only bring household waste. Don’t bring commercial or business waste.
• Please bring proof that you live in the county borough (e.g. a utility bill with your address on it). The sites are for Wrexham residents only. If you don’t have proof, you won’t be allowed to tip your rubbish.
• Be patient if you have to queue. A maximum of five vehicles will be allowed on site at any one time.
• Make sure only one person steps outside your vehicle to unload it, and that they stick to social distancing. Note that children should stay in the car at all times, and no pets are permitted on site.
• Don’t bring items that are too big or heavy to handle yourself. Our site attendants won’t be able to help you unload your car or dispose of your waste.
• Sort your waste before you arrive (so you’re quicker).
• Be polite. Aggressive behaviour towards staff won’t be tolerated. Site attendants will be equipped with body cameras, and any instances will be reported to the police.
• Don’t touch your face on-site, and bring your own sanitiser if you can (clean your hands with sanitizer before you drive away).
• The re-use shop at Bryn Lane remains closed for now, so keep your stuff for the reuse shop at home.

Wrexham Council have said the new opening times are:
– Bryn Lane – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 8am-8pm daily.
– Plas Madoc – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 9am-8pm daily.
– Brymbo – open 12noon-8pm this Friday, and then 9am-8pm daily.

The Council said, “We’re aware Welsh Government will publish further guidance on household recycling centres later this week. We welcome this and will build it into how we open up and operate our centres.:

“Remember, Welsh Government is still encouraging us to stay at home as much as we can, so don’t visit our recycling sites unless you really need to.

“Where possible, use our kerbside collection services to get rid of your rubbish and recycling. Or – if you can manage it – wait until we’re in safer times before visiting our recycling sites.”

In a joint statement, Councillor David A Bithell, Deputy Leader of Wrexham Council and Lead Member for Environment and Transport, and Darren Williams, Chief Officer for Environment and Technical, said:

“We’re pleased Welsh Government has relaxed the regulations, allowing us to reopen our sites at Bryn Lane, Plas Madoc and the Lodge at Brymbo.

“We know that coronavirus has brought huge disruption to daily life, and we’d like to thank everyone for their co-operation while the sites were closed.

“The vast majority of people have been brilliant, and have kept their excess waste at home for the time-being, and that’s really helped us.

“Now the sites are reopening, we’d like to ask for your continued co-operation in using them responsibly.

“We’re working closely with our contractor FCC Environment to make sure everything is managed carefully. So please adhere to the strict conditions…they’re there to keep you safe.

“Thank you.”

Councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of the Council, added: “Social distancing is crucial, and we’ll be conducting visits throughout the weekend to ensure the rules are being obeyed.

“If there any problems relating to safety, or we find users are breaking critical social distancing rules, the sites will be closed immediately.

“We all need to look out for each other and help keep each other safe…and that’s why it’s so important that people stick to social distancing, and observe the two-metre rule at all times when they visit our sites.

“I’d like to thank everyone in advance for their co-operation…it really is appreciated, and will help ensure we can operate the recycling centres safely and effectively.”