North Yorkshire Council has received a flood of critical comments and queries in response to a new system requiring residents to register to use waste recycling centres.
Hundreds of people have given their views on the rule change — designed to improve access to household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and ensure the service is used fairly — online.
Under the new system, residents will need to register their name, address and vehicle before visiting any of the county’s 20 HWRCs from Monday, April 27.
Council chiefs say the move will help to ensure the sites are only used by North Yorkshire residents who fund the service, and reduce visits from those outside the county, which currently accounts for about one in six users and costs the taxpayer up to £400,000 a year.
Numerous people commenting on the council’s social media channels have suggested the system will increase fly-tipping, while others question why so-called “commercial-like” vehicles will be limited to 12 free visits a year.
One commentator described the changes as a “recipe for filling the roadsides with rubbish”, while another person said: “Well done NY council, you’ve just added to the fly tipping problem. Nice one.”
A different commentator said:
“So you are limiting me to 12 visits a year in a VW campervan which is very clearly NOT a commercial vehicle? How is that fair?”
Green Party councillor, Andy brown, who represents the Aire Valley division, also criticised the changes, describing them as “crazy”.
He said:
“Do the council want to encourage fly tipping?
“Residents don’t always carry proof of where they live.
“Outsiders who bring their rubbish to our recycling points are massively preferable to ones who dump it beside the road at even greater cost to council tax payers.”
But the scheme also has some supporters.
One person said online:
“I really don’t see the problem here. Other councils do it. It’s just an online registration before you go. Fine by me!”
Registration to use the waste sites is free and lasts for three years.
Residents can register online from April 27 and use the centres straight away.
Nothing will be sent in the post, and staff will check number plates on arrival.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Richard Foster, said:
“Introducing the registration scheme is an important step in protecting a service that residents value without creating additional cost to the taxpayer.
“It will help us to improve access, reduce misuse, and ensure we are operating the centres as efficiently and fairly as possible. Registration is quick, simple and lasts for three years.”
Residents can register online from April 27 at www.northyorks.gov.uk/hwrc
Those without internet access can call the council on 0300 131 2 131, or visit a library or council office for help.
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