HWRCs continue to play a significant role in enhancing the recycling and waste management services that local authorities provide for the public. They accept significant tonnages of waste and can achieve high recycling rates, providing a valuable service to local residents. These sites also provide residents with an alternative to kerbside collections for the responsible disposal, recycling or re-use of their household waste, particularly for items that are not collected or are costly to collect at the kerbside.
However, financial pressures and the resources required to achieve ever-higher recycling rates are stretching local authority budgets. Pressures on recycling services can lead to HWRCs being targeted for financial savings. At the same time, the public expects even more: a wider range of materials recycled, friendly and efficient staff, and a clean, modern, pleasant site.
