Swindon residents will now have an additional 1,000 booking slots available to visit the Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) through the Council’s website.
This move aims to cater to the seasonal demand as locals take advantage of the pleasant weather to spruce up their gardens and homes.
The new allocation raises the monthly total of booking slots to 21,000, ensuring more opportunities for residents to dispose of their waste responsibly. To further enhance capacity, the Council encourages residents to cancel or reschedule any booked slots they no longer require using the online form on the Council’s website or the link provided in their booking confirmation email.
Statistics reveal that approximately 20% of appointments, around 4,000, go unattended each month. By promptly freeing up these slots, residents can allow others to utilise the HWRC efficiently.
The Council introduced the online booking system during the pandemic, effectively eliminating long queues, reducing carbon dioxide emissions from idling vehicles, and minimising disruptions to local businesses.
Taking resident feedback into account, the Council has taken steps to address concerns about appointment availability. An additional 250 booking slots will now be released weekly, improving accessibility to the HWRC.
Councillor Chris Watts, responsible for waste and recycling services, expressed his commitment to maximizing the number of residents able to visit the HWRC. Swindon’s unique position with only one HWRC serving over 97,000 households underscores the significance of these enhancements. Increasing the monthly total to 21,000 slots is an encouraging start, and the Council aims to explore further opportunities.
For more information on visiting the Household Waste and Recycling Centre, please visit: www.swindon.gov.uk/hwrc.
