Warning issued ahead of reopening of Borders’ recycling centres next week

All seven of the region’s centres will be back in business on Monday, June 1, for the first time since they were closed by Scottish Borders Council on Monday, March 23, as part of the UK Government’s lockdown to help curb the spread of coronavirus.

As Borderers will have been accumulating rubbish for over two months, demand is expected to be extremely high, so temporary restrictions will be put in place at the centres – at Galashiels, Hawick, Peebles, Selkirk, Kelso, Eyemouth and Duns – to ensure the safety of customers and staff and allow access for as many people as possible.

Lengthy queues at sites are anticipated from Monday and new traffic management systems will be in place in a bid to keep them to a minimum.

A council spokesperson warned: “Failure to comply with the temporary restrictions and social distancing guidance will unfortunately mean we will have to close the recycling centres again.”

Restrictions include limited opening hours of 9am to 2pm and acceptance only of up to five bags of garden waste and rubbish suitable for general waste bins, as well as only one visit being allowed per day.

Council bosses are asking that, if possible, there be only one person per vehicle visiting recycling sites and, if not, that only one get out to offload waste.

No help is to be provided by site staff to offload materials due to social distancing guidance.

On top of that, an odd and even vehicle number plate system will be in force, allowing visits only on alternate days.

Only cars and small vans weighing up to two tonnes will be allowed in, large vans, trailers and horseboxes being banned.

Council chief executive Tracey Logan said: “We thank all residents for their patience and co-operation while the community recycling centres were closed.

“Residents should note that the reopening of recycling centres does not mean these facilities have returned to normal business, with temporary restrictions potentially in place in the longer term.

“We would ask that anyone using a community recycling centre follow the restrictions and guidance we have in place and treat our staff with respect.”

Hawick and Hermitage councillor Davie Paterson added: “I have been informed that there could be a police presence in the first week of opening.

“I would hate to think that some members of staff could be treated badly by members of the public when the centres are opened.

“I would advise the public to adhere to the rules and stick to the social distancing rules for everyone’s safety.”

The temporary restrictions lined up will be in force initially for two weeks but will be reviewed after that and might well be extended.

For details, go to www.scotborders.gov.uk/recycling centres