A public consultation has been launched to gauge public opinion on the new opening times and new site policies, at Warwickshire’s nine Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

A four week public consultation is underway to gain views on the proposed changes to the sites, and is available here or as paper copies by calling 01926 418064.

It is proposed that eight of Warwickshire County Council’s nine Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) will remain open seven days a week. The other site at Stockton, near Southam, would become one of Britain’s first recycling centres run by the voluntary sector along with Wellesbourne. Stockton is currently only open three days a week.

Under the new proposals, the sites weekday opening will be reduced to six hours a day. Tighter restriction will be placed on waste which has not be sorted for recycling in order to increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

The consultation seeks views on the proposed opening times and new policies, the site reuse shops, and ways to communicate any changes which are implemented.

Cllr Helen Walton, Warwickshire County Council’s spokesperson on waste management, said: “As we were faced with making budget cuts we have had to consider many different options to deliver the necessary savings, including closing sites for some days or perhaps even fully.

“We have instead looked at new and innovative way of delivering our service by combining the private sector, the voluntary sector and Warwickshire County Council direct services.

“Working with the voluntary sector is the best possible solution and it is through this community approach that we will be able to keep all of Warwickshire’s nine Household Waste Recycling Centres open. I encourage Warwickshire residents to log on to our website to look at the proposals and let us know their opinion.”