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Update on changes to household waste recycling centres 

8 July 2024

Changes to household waste recycling centres  HWRCs in Cheshire East will go live from Monday 5 August.

From this date: 

  • HWRCs  in Alsager, Crewe, Macclesfield and Knutsford will be open for an extra hour during weekdays, meaning over the summer months residents will be able to visit up until 6pm.
  • Residents wishing to visit Alsager, Crewe, Macclesfield or Knutsford  HWRC during weekends or Bank Holidays will need to book a slot online in advance of their visit. This is so that queues and people’s waiting times can be managed. There will be no limit to the number of times people can visit.  
  • The emergency temporary closure of Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich  HWRCs will take place as of 5pm on Sunday 4 August. 
  • For residents in the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas, a mobile household waste recycling service will be available to them – they can also visit any of the other  HWRCs in the borough. The mobile  HWRC will alternate between the three towns and each one will receive one visit per month. This will take place on a Saturday morning. 

The changes 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 WarrenCouncillor Mick Warren, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “The emergency closure of some  HWRCs in the borough was agreed as part of this year’s budget and we have been working hard to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible.

“As part of this, we are timing the mitigation measures – the booking system, later opening hours, and the mobile  HWRC – to go live at the same time as the emergency closures.”

Cllr Warren added: “Over the next few weeks, we’ll be providing residents with more information about the booking system for weekends and Bank Holidays, as well as how residents in the Bollington, Poynton and Middlewich areas can access the mobile HWRC .

“The latest information will be found online on the council’s website and I encourage residents to keep checking back as this webpage will continue to be updated as more details are confirmed.

“For now, and until the changes come into effect on 5 August, I’d like to remind residents that all  HWRCs in Cheshire East can be accessed as normal.”

The changes are being introduced separately to an ongoing review of HWRCs . A public consultation on proposals for the longer-term provision of  HWRC services recently closed. 

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.