Dorset Council in the UK will implement a booking system for its household recycling centres to maintain quality service while reducing operational costs.
The system is expected to deliver significant annual savings, including £100,000 ($134,419) at Shaftesbury and Sherborne alone, with further efficiencies anticipated across other centres.
Dorset Council councillor Jon Andrews stated: “We know some residents are concerned about this change, but we’ve looked at lots of alternative options to identify savings. A booking system allows us to maintain the same valued level of service with lower running costs.”
Currently, Dorset Council incurs a £435,000 cost to Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) for Dorset residents to use its recycling centres while BCP residents have been using Dorset's sites without charge.
The new booking system will require non-Dorset residents to pay a fee, ensuring that Dorset Council taxpayers are not bearing the full cost of waste disposal and site maintenance.
The booking system also aims to prevent misuse by commercial entities and supports Dorset Council’s environmental goals.
Andrews added: “People tend to make fewer trips, bringing more waste each time. That means fewer car journeys, less congestion, and lower emissions.”
The system will enable staff to focus on assisting visitors and managing waste, leading to higher recycling rates.
Dorset Council's new approach is based on successful models from nearly half of England’s councils. Concerns about increased fly-tipping have been addressed by Andrews, referencing a Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs study that found no significant rise in fly-tipping after similar systems were introduced.
He said: “We won’t be turning any legitimate users away while the new system beds in.”
The booking process will reportedly be straightforward and accessible online, with a telephone option available for those without internet access.
Most bookings can be made for the same day, and there is no visitation limit for most vehicles.
