Changes at recycling centres

Changes agreed to reduce queues and improve safety at household waste recycling centres

Changes are to be made to the booking system for household waste recycling centres in Cheshire East to help tackle traffic issues, improve safety on the sites and give visitors a better experience.

Since the weekend only booking system was introduced in 2024, many residents have chosen to visit household waste recycling centres at the start of the week instead of at weekends. As a result, queues have often built up on nearby roads – particularly in Macclesfield and Crewe, where site entrances sit on busy routes.

At its meeting today (29 January), the council’s Environment and Communities Committee agreed to give delegated authority to officers to make changes to the booking system. These changes will help manage demand more evenly throughout the week while keeping the full capacity of the service available to residents.

Councillor David Jefferay, chair of Cheshire East Council’s environment and communities committee, said: “We know how frustrating queues can be, and we want our household waste recycling centres to be as safe and easy to use as possible.

“These changes will help us manage traffic better, reduce pressure on busy roads and make visits more straightforward for residents.”

The council will now work towards making the adjustments, which may include:

• Extending the booking system to cover 7 days a week;
• Introducing booking requirements at peak times; or
• Making changes to the booking system for only some of the HWRC sites.

Initial trials are expected to begin from February 2026.

Cllr Jefferay added: “By keeping the booking system, but making it work better, we can cut queues, make it more convenient for residents, and manage demand more effectively. It also gives our site staff more time to check for traders and non Cheshire East residents, support higher recycling rates by sorting more materials, and tackle fly tipping at site entrances.”

More information will be communicated to residents before any changes are made.