Now restrictions have lifted, Dudley Council is continuing its booking system for the tip over the summer.

The booking system was introduced for the Household Waste Recycling Centre in Stourbridge, during the height of lockdown.

The system will stay in place for the immediate future as it has helped to cut down on queues and made accessing the site easier and quicker. It will also allow the authority to ensure that only borough residents access the site and help prevent unauthorised traders and businesses from using the community facility. Parking is limited to 11 cars or 5 vans onsite at anyone time.

Households aren’t limited to the number of visits, but are encouraged to minimise bookings to one per week where possible, to maximise the number of residents that can benefit from the site being open.

One person per car is still recommended although if additional people are required for unloading, this is allowed. No children or pets are advised. Social distancing is encouraged to help keep staff and visitors safe and people can wear masks if they wish.

Due to social distancing, no assistance for unloading can be provided, and users are asked to sort their waste before arrival. The re-use shop remains closed at present but it is hoped that it will reopen soon. Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for public realm, said: 

"Although we had a few hiccups to start with, the booking system has worked really well over the last year and has allowed us to make optimum use of the site so people aren’t having to queue for hours at popular times. There are now plenty of spaces to book and the online system is quick and simple to do.

"While the two metre rule is no longer in place, we would encourage people to continue to keep their distance and respect other users. People also need to remember that is they turn up to the site without booking first as they will be turned away."

Residents can book a slot on the council website via the bins and recycling pages. Standard bulky waste collections for items such as sofas or garden waste can also be booked by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

For items such as mattresses and carpets, people can call Textek, a company working in partnership with the council to offer discounted rate collections. They can be contacted on 01948 840251.