Household Waste Recycling Centre opening hours extended

The Highland Council is pleased to announce that from Saturday 3 October the majority of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) across the region will see their opening hours extended to include a Saturday or Sunday for members of the public to dispose of their household waste.  

The HWRC in Kingussie and Grantown, which have been temporarily closed until now, will also be re-opened on Saturdays only from 3 October 2020. 

Householders are urged to check the Highland Council website highland.gov.uk/recyclingcentres to find the opening hours and materials that are currently accepted before travelling to a site.   

Alan McKinnie, Senior Waste Manager, said “I am delighted we are now in a position to move to the next stage of the recovery plan for the HWRC, by opening the majority of sites across the region during the weekend.  Extending the opening hours to include a weekend day will make it more convenient for householders who work during the week to use the facilities and will also help improve the flow of traffic at the busier sites.”

He continued, “The larger HWRC remain busy with high visitor numbers per day and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their patience and understanding whilst the sites have been re-opened to accommodate the ‘new normal’. 

“To help reduce the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, restrictions on the range of materials will continue to remain in place for the time being.  This is to help reduce the time spent at the sites by individuals, so that as many as people as possible can pass through the sites quickly and safely, enabling traffic to flow more freely.”

To reduce the time spent on the site, all householders are encouraged to separate their items before they visit a HWRC.  An online booking system is in place at the larger HWRC for small vans (under 3.5 tonnes) and trailers – bookings must be made 48 hours in advance and customers who book must present their booking confirmation to site staff upon arrival.  To see a list of HWRC Frequently Asked Questions, please visit highland.gov.uk/recyclingcentres

To help reduce the risk of spreading Coronavirus site staff will be continuing to adopt robust hygiene standards.  Householders should wash their hands before and after visiting a HWRC.  Please also observe social distancing and stay 2 metres apart from staff and other site users when at a HWRC. Householders are reminded not to visit the site if they are showing symptoms of coronavirus.

Strictly no commercial waste will be accepted at HWRC.

The Highland Council’s Bulky Uplift Collection Service is also operating and collects unwanted household items such as furniture, electrical appliances, bathroom suites and sanitary ware, kitchen units and sinks.  Householders can book the Bulky Uplift Service online by visiting highland.gov.uk/bulkyuplift or by calling 01349 886603.

For more information please visit: highland.gov.uk/recyclingcentres