North Yorkshire set to launch recycling centre registration scheme
Residents must register before visiting recycling centres
A new registration scheme is being introduced at North Yorkshire's household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) from 27th April. Residents will need to register their name, address, and vehicle to visit any of the county's 20 HWRCs.
The initiative seeks to ensure that the sites are used predominantly by North Yorkshire residents who fund the service, reducing non-resident usage, which currently accounts for about one in six visits and costs taxpayers up to £400,000 annually.
Residents can register online from 27th April and begin using the recycling centres immediately, with number plates checked upon arrival.
For owners of commercial-like vehicles (CLVs), the scheme allows up to 12 free visits per year for disposing of household waste, helping to prevent free acceptance of commercial waste while supporting residents owning larger vehicles.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for managing the environment, Cllr Richard Foster, emphasised the importance of the registration scheme: “Introducing the registration scheme is an important step in protecting a service that residents value without creating additional cost to the taxpayer. It will help us to improve access, reduce misuse, and ensure we are operating the centres as efficiently and fairly as possible.”
Residents can register online at www.northyorks.gov.uk/hwrc or seek assistance by calling 0300 131 2 131 or visiting a library or council office.
The scheme follows a comprehensive review and 12-week consultation, wherein over 3,000 responses were gathered. Support was evident, with 69 per cent backing resident-only access and 61 per cent supporting limits for CLVs.
In 2024/25, North Yorkshire's recycling centres managed 64,500 tonnes of waste across 1.6 million visits. The registration scheme is anticipated to support annual savings of up to £400,000, including £300,000 from restricting non-resident use and £100,000 from limiting CLV visits.