Greenwich sending ‘clear message’ on cross-border HWRC-use

Rule changes are being brought in from 1 September at the Nathan Way Reuse and Recycling Centre in Thamesmead to clamp down on residents coming from neighbouring boroughs to the Veolia-run site to deposit waste and recyclable materials.

According to the council, a recent survey undertaken over the course of five days has indicated that as many as 57% of visitors to the site may live at postcodes outside of the borough.

The council has estimated that it may be paying up to £140,000 per year to handle this material.

Residents will have to show proof of a Royal Borough of Greenwich address (for example a council tax or utility bill) when they visit the Reuse and Recycling Centre. Any visitors who live outside the borough and those who cannot produce the required identification will face a charge of £10 per trip.

Advice

‘Meet and greet’ staff will be available on site to help and advise all visitors on the new rules.

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, the council’s cabinet member for air quality, public realm and transport, said: “We want to send a clear message to residents from other boroughs that their rubbish is not welcome here. By making this change we can save a huge amount of money and make our service more efficient for Royal Greenwich residents. It is not acceptable for people from other places to bring their rubbish to the Royal Borough for free and it is not fair for our Council Tax payers to be picking up the bill for this.

“We are also going to be cracking down on anyone suspected of using the Reuse and Recycling Centre to dump commercial waste as the site is for the disposal of household waste only. We do appreciate many householders do undertake DIY projects and we will allow some building waste but in fairness to other residents we are introducing restrictions on this.”

Commercial waste

The council has said that it is also stepping up its enforcement work to prevent any commercial or trade waste being brought to the Reuse and Recycling Centre.

Anyone suspected of handling commercial waste will be asked to fill in a ‘Declaration of Household Waste’ form and they may get a home visit to check on their activities.

Only cars are allowed onto the site and vehicles usually used for commercial use including vans, pick-up trucks, mini buses and vehicles with long trailers will not be allowed access, the council said. Customers with trade waste will be re-directed to use the waste transfer station next door and will be charged.