Worthing man argues recycling centres 'desperately' need to be reopened as household waste builds up

The coronavirus lockdown has brought huge changes to life as we know it, with an over-reliance on deliveries and masses of spare time for loft clearouts and garden spruce-ups.
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But all of these activities generate waste in the form of packaging, clutter to be thrown away or green waste to be biodegraded and, with the tips closed over social distancing fears, some residents are finding their homes backing up with rubbish.

Worthing's Roger Duffield has found himself in such a position, with waste collecting in his shed, and argued tips could be opened with social distancing still enforced.

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"With the wretched Covid-19 lockdown we are all staying at home doing those jobs we have been putting off for months, clearing the garage, the loft, and sorting cupboards of unwanted “stuff” all of which should be recycled," said the 70-year-old, who has been working from home during the lockdown.

Roger Duffield with his accumulated wasteRoger Duffield with his accumulated waste
Roger Duffield with his accumulated waste

"Those of us that are lucky enough to have a garden have been out mowing, weeding and cutting making more waste that needs to be disposed of.

"Worthing Borough Council has recently reduced the collection of waste from homes to once every two weeks, and now with everybody at home, not going out to work, school or college all the waste is being collected in one place - the home."

Roger has called on West Sussex County Council to reopen the recycling centres, saying they are 'desperately needed' to stop waste build-up getting out of hand.

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Waste management company Veolia UK, which operates recycling centres in Brighton and Hove and East Sussex, has put together a guide which it says will allow tips to be reopened safely.

Allowing access to the centres would ease pressure on residents and reduce fly-tipping or kerbside collections.

In a six-point guide, the company said those displaying symptoms would steer clear of tips and those without would only visit if absolutely necessary.

Cars should be driver-only, with the numbers of vehicles allowed inside restricted, and social distancing would be enforced. Restricted opening hours would also be in place.

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Roger has argued Worthing's recycling centre in Willowbrook Road already almost operates a 'one in, one out' system, and social distancing would be easily enforced.

A West Sussex County Council spokesman said: “We understand closing our Household Waste Recycling Sites has caused concern for some residents, however, these are unprecedented times. Everyone is being advised to only leave the house to shop for essential items, to go to work if absolutely necessary and to exercise once a day. Our opinion is that disposing of items such as furniture or garden waste cannot be considered an essential journey.

“We would kindly ask residents to store any waste that they would typically take to our sites at home until such time as we are able to safely reopen the sites. We would also strongly advise against burning any kind of waste in your garden, as bonfires can affect residents with lung conditions, such as asthma or bronchitis.

“We are reviewing how and when it would be appropriate to reopen our sites. However, we will only do this when we can be certain that the safety of residents and staff is not compromised and that this action would not conflict with the current overriding principles of Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives.”