Later this year, we will be introducing a booking system at all of our Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). The system is designed to make visits more efficient, convenient, and user-friendly. With a simple online process, residents will be able to reserve their preferred date and time slot in advance.
How it works
The online booking system allows visitors to select a convenient 30 minute time slot by providing basic details such as name, address, and vehicle registration. If plans change, bookings can be easily cancelled or rescheduled online.
If you don’t have internet access, you can ask someone to make the booking for you. If this isn’t possible, please take your waste to the recycling centre without a booking and speak to a member of staff when you arrive. You’ll be able to book a slot over the phone in the future, sometime after the system launches.
Key features
The key features of the new booking system are:
- flexible scheduling - book as many visits as needed (with some vehicle type exclusions), including multiple slots on the same day
- advance and same day booking - secure your preferred date and time up to 14 days in advance or, if available, on the same day
- no worries about temporary closures - bookings remain valid even during skip changes or site compaction
- reuse area access - visitors accessing only the reuse areas will still need to make a booking
- on-foot or bicycle access - neighbouring residents who access our centres on foot or by bicycle will also be required to make a booking
What will stay the same
All existing arrangements including:
- opening hours
- accepted waste types
- vehicle and trailer restrictions
- permit requirements
- chargeable items
Important information for non Dorset Council residents
Visitors who live outside of the Dorset Council administrative area are welcome to use our Household Recycling Centres. However, please note:
- a non-refundable booking fee will apply for each visit
- additional charges may also apply depending on the type of waste being disposed of
- you cannot visit in a vehicle that requires a permit
These measures help ensure that Dorset residents continue to receive fair access to local services while supporting the sustainability of our facilities.
Why we are making this change
Reduced congestion and wait times - by allowing visitors to schedule their trips in advance, a booking system will help prevent overcrowding, ensuring a smoother and more organised flow of traffic.
Improved customer experience- users can plan their visits around their schedule, avoiding long queues and unexpected delays. It also helps ensure they have ample time to dispose of their items properly.
Better resource management - site staff can anticipate visitor numbers more accurately, helping them allocate resources efficiently.
Environmental and safety benefits - less congestion means reduced vehicle emissions, contributing to a more environmentally friendly operation. Additionally, a controlled number of visitors enhances safety by minimising chaotic interactions in busy areas.
Flexibility and convenience - people can book multiple slots, cancel or reschedule easily, and receive confirmation, all without the hassle of arriving unsure of availability.
Insights for future planning - data from bookings can be used to identify peak hours, optimise service delivery, and plan future improvements to recycling centre operations.
Consistency of access - even in cases of temporary closures due to site maintenance (like skip changes), bookings remain valid.
Stopping business waste misuse at recycling centres
Our new booking system will help ensure that Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) are used as intended by residents, not businesses. Here’s how it helps prevent traders from disposing of commercial waste:
- Clear visitor identification
When booking a visit, users provide their name, address, and vehicle registration. This helps staff spot frequent or large-scale users who may be businesses trying to bypass commercial waste rules.
- Improved enforcement
Because every visitor must book in advance, staff can easily verify who should be allowed entry, making it harder for traders to slip through unnoticed.
- Protecting resources for residents
By stopping businesses from misusing recycling centres, Dorset Council ensures fair access for residents, reduces strain on facilities, and keeps operations running efficiently.
With these measures in place, the booking system helps keep our Household Recycling Centres fair, accessible, and properly used.