Council / SIC provides more details on how reopened dump will operate
People asked to ‘visit the recycling centre to dispose of waste that cannot be safely stored at home’
SHETLAND Islands Council has offered more details about how the dump in Lerwick will work when it reopens on Monday (1 June).
The household waste recycling centre at Gremista will reopen with temporary extended opening hours from 8am until 8pm.
Householders are asked to continue to store any bulky items of waste at home for the time being, and only visit the recycling centre to dispose of waste that cannot be safely stored at home.
Measures will be in place to protect themselves and staff, to reduce waiting times and to avoid a build-up of traffic on the main road.
Drivers may be diverted to an offsite queuing area at the nearby energy recovery plant and directed into the recycling centre as space becomes available.
The council said that strict physical distancing measures will be enforced at the site to ensure a minimum of two metres between individuals.
In the aisles between skips, only one person will be allowed at any one time.
Only one person per vehicle will be permitted, and householders must be able to carry anything that they bring. Neither staff nor other drivers should be asked to assist.
A height restriction has also been introduced and the maximum vehicle height will be 2.2 metres, covering most cars, pick-ups and car-derived vans. Commercial vehicles are not allowed into the household waste recycling area and should continue to use the site weighbridge.
Glass collections at bottle banks, meanwhile, recommenced on Monday (25 May).
The council also advised for people to observe social distancing guidelines at bottle banks. Glass should not be left beside bins if they are full as this is said to be a risk to other site users.
Chairman of the council’s environment and transport committee Ryan Thomson said: “I know that many people in Shetland will be keen to see the household waste recycling centre reopen.
“Staff have taken steps to try to ensure everyone’s safety and I’d ask folk to be patient and follow instructions on signs and from council staff. In the meantime, folk should continue to keep any bulky items of waste at home until restrictions are hopefully eased further.”
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