27th March 2024
Oxfordshire’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) will no longer stay open late nights on Thursdays.
The seven centres, operated by Oxfordshire County Council, had previously opened until 8pm every Thursday between April and September. However, the extra service is being discontinued this year.
Councillor Pete Sudbury, Deputy Leader of Oxfordshire County Council with Responsibility for Climate Change, Environment and Future Generations, said: “We realise this decision will disappoint some people but unfortunately it is not financially viable to keep it going. However, users should remember that all of our HWRCs will remain open from 8am - 5pm seven days a week, 362 days a year, to meet everyone’s waste and recycling needs.”
The decision follows increased financial pressures placed on local authorities, including Oxfordshire County Council, in waste management.
Councils can no longer charge for the disposal of small quantities of DIY waste, while costs have doubled for disposing of persistent organic pollutants, often found in upholstered furniture, after these materials were banned from being placed in landfill. Together these amount to £1 million a year, which has to be found from savings in other areas.
Full details of the county’s HWRC sites and the services available can be found on Oxfordshire County Council’s website.
People can also find alternative ways to reuse and recycle their items through the Waste Wizard tool or through the comprehensive kerbside collections services offered by Oxfordshire’s city and district councils.
