Major change announced for residents using Derbyshire recycling centres

Residents across Derbyshire will have to register to use the county council's household waste recycling centres in the future. The new registration scheme is being introduced "to make sure those using the sites are entitled to do so", according to the county council.

Entry to the recycling sites will be monitored using automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR). Each Derbyshire resident over the age of 17 can register up to two vehicles. Registration is free of charge and covers all of the nine recycling centres.

Registration is now open and while the county council says it does not plan to turn away unregistered vehicles immediately, residents will be reminded to sign up during their next visit. A council spokesman said: "To avoid any issues in the future, we encourage everyone to register as soon as possible.

"Residents registering a van to dispose of their household waste will be required to register each time they wish to visit and access will last 24 hours. This is to help deter traders from using the service for free at the expense of local council tax-payers.

"Traders wishing to dispose of trade waste can pay to do so at our sites at Ashbourne and Stonegravels and can make an unlimited number of visits."

The county council says that the decision to register users follows a 32% increase in the amount of waste collected at the sites since 2017 to 2018, which has risen to 85,000 tonnes a year, costing an extra £700,000 to £800,000 in annual recycling and disposal costs.

Councillor Carolyn Renwick, county council cabinet member for infrastructure and environment, said: "This registration scheme will make things fairer and more cost effective for Derbyshire residents. Our neighbouring counties have introduced similar schemes and with this change each area will be dealing with and paying for its own waste and recycling.

“It’s all part of our efforts to strike the right balance between continuing to provide a good quality service for residents and making the necessary savings. Registering is quick and easy and available to do now, so I would encourage residents to register as soon as possible.”

Those who are unable to register online can call into their nearest Derbyshire library where a librarian can help them to register. Anyone unable to register online or at their nearest library can phone Call Derbyshire on telephone: 01629 533190 to speak to someone who can help.

The nine recycling centres are located at:

• Ashbourne
• Bolsover
• Bretby
• Chesterfield
• Glossop
• Ilkeston
• Loscoe
• Northwood (Darley Dale)
• Waterswallows - near Buxton