Changes coming to Norfolk's recycling centres in November

Norfolk residents and traders are set to benefit from an improved experience at recycling centres across the county thanks to changes coming in from November this year. The changes will help with service demand, reduce congestion and make sites safer whilst ensuring costs are covered for the disposal of waste.   

Anyone wishing to visit a Norfolk recycling centre from Monday 18 November 2024 must book in advance. Bookings can be made up to one week ahead either online via the council's website or by phoning the customer service centre. The new booking system will be live from Monday 11 November.  

Slots are available every fifteen minutes and people can make a booking or cancel one right up until the time of the booking. People will be asked to give the registration number of the vehicle they will be using on the day. Business and trade waste customers will also be asked to provide their waste carriers licence number.  

Everyone has to book to drop off waste at the recycling centre, including those arriving on foot or by bicycle. People do not have to book if they only want to visit the Re-use Shop but if they also want to leave waste in the same visit, then they need to book ahead. 

In addition to the booking system, trade customers will also see a change to the way they pay to dispose of their waste from the 1 November.  

Businesses will be charged based on the size of vehicle and the type of waste they bring, instead of the number of bags.  

These changes are to make sure that the costs of disposal of trade waste at Norfolk recycling centres are fully covered, and to provide a fair and consistent price for traders based on the volume and type of waste in each vehicle.  

Cllr James Bensly, cabinet member for environment and waste said: "Booking systems are widely used across the country, including by our neighbouring counties Suffolk and Essex. The booking system will offer many benefits including reduced congestion and improved waiting times. Our site staff will have more time to help customers who need assistance which makes for a better customer experience all round. The changes to the trade waste service mean we can continue to provide a convenient way for small businesses to dispose of small amounts of trade waste in Norfolk, whilst covering the costs of disposal." 

• 43% of LAs in England have some form of booking system at recycling centres 
• The booking system goes live on Monday 11 November 2024 to book slots for the following week. Customers can find out more by picking up a leaflet at a recycling centre or at www.norfolk.gov.uk/recyclingbooking . Or call 0344 800 8020 
• The trade waste service is available at our seven largest recycling centres; Caister, Dereham, Hempton, King's Lynn, Norwich North, Norwich South and Thetford 
• There are five vehicle categories, and each vehicle will be assessed and charged as either up to 50% full or over 50% full. Prices can be found at www.norfolk.gov.uk/recyclingbooking starting from £10.50 for half a mini-van of recyclables 
• Alternative ways for businesses to dispose of trade waste can be found on our www.norfolk.gov.uk/businesswaste