Purpose
To ensure safe, efficient, and fair access to Dorset Council’s Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), the booking system is designed to manage site usage, reduce congestion, recover costs from non-Dorset residents, and support environmental objectives.
Scope
This policy sets out the terms and conditions governing the use of the booking system and access to the following recycling centres:
The policy covers:
- booking requirements
- access rules
- acceptable usage
- unacceptable usage
- site rules
- charges
- data protection and privacy
Booking requirements
The requirements for booking are:
- all visits to Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne or Wimborne recycling centres must be pre-booked, including those arriving on foot, by bicycle, or motorcycle
- bookings are required to access reuse areas
- proof of address is required (for example a current Council Tax bill)
- visitors who pay Council Tax to another local authority must pay a non-refundable booking fee, payable at the time of booking
- each booking allows a 30-minute visit window, and visitors may arrive at any time within that slot
- to maintain fair access for all residents, Dorset Council reserves the right to review and restrict excessive booking activity (e.g. multiple bookings within a 7-day period) where deemed necessary
- repeated misuse of the booking system may result in suspension or permanent withdrawal of access
- Our Vehicle Permit Policy applies to all bookings and visits
- all vehicles and trailers must comply with UK road regulations, including valid registration, insurance, MOT (if applicable), and roadworthiness standards
Access rules
Rules for access onto site are:
- all vehicles must follow site signage and stop for check-in upon arrival
- booking verification is automated via ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras
- a traffic light system is in operation to manage vehicle flow. All drivers must follow the instructions indicated by the lights
- visitors using hire vehicles must report to site staff upon arrival, confirm their booking, and present the hire agreement before depositing waste
- visitors arriving by motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot must pre-book and report to site staff upon arrival to confirm their booking. These visitors are not required to follow the traffic light system
- pedestrian access is permitted only for residents living in close proximity to the site. Entry must be made with caution, following all site safety instructions
- waste brought in on foot must be of a size and weight that can be safely carried by one person without the use of additional equipment
- pedestrian access is not permitted if a vehicle has been driven to the site, parked externally, and the waste is then carried in on foot
Acceptable usage
Only household waste generated from residential properties is permitted. A trade waste disclaimer may be required to be completed on site to confirm the nature of the waste being disposed of.
Unacceptable usage
The following types of waste are not permitted at our recycling centres:
- waste resulting from major property renovations
- commercial and business waste, including waste from businesses operated within residential properties
- charity waste
- landlord waste
- waste exceeding 1 tonne per visit
Site rules
See our full site rules. In addition, please note the following:
- sites may occasionally close temporarily to allow for skip compaction or exchanges. Bookings made during these periods will still be honoured
- the Site Manager’s decision is final regarding site entry, accepted materials, and any applicable charges
- children and pets must remain inside vehicles at all times
- abuse or threatening behaviour towards staff or other site users will result in removal from the site and may lead to legal action
- CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems are in operation to support safety, security, crime prevention, and access management
- all users must follow instructions given by site staff
Charges
Bookings for Dorset Council residents are free of charge.
Residents who pay Council Tax to a local authority other than Dorset Council are subject to a non-refundable charge per booking. This fee is payable by card during the booking process.
Charges may apply for certain waste types. See more information on when charges apply.
Data protection and privacy
Dorset Council is committed to protecting your personal data. Information collected during the booking process will be used solely for the purpose of managing access to Household Recycling Centres. Data will be processed in accordance with the UK GDPR and Dorset Council’s Privacy Notice. CCTV and ANPR systems are also in operation for safety, security, and service management.