The booking system – available at www.stirling.gov.uk/waste/book – will enable Stirling Council residents to reserve a slot for their preferred time and date up to 14 days in advance of their intended visit to Lower Polmaise, Callander or Balfron.
The new arrangements will come into effect from Wednesday 15th May and residents will be able to log on and book slots from Wednesday 1st May. Any residents wishing to visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre sites at Lower Polmaise or Callander up to and including 14th May will not require to book a slot.
From Wednesday 15th May, residents will be able to book a slot on the same day they intend to visit, subject to availability, while people who do not have internet access can arrange a booking by calling 01786 404040.
Residents will be required to provide their name, address and vehicle registration number when booking and will need to show their booking reference number and proof of address when they arrive at their chosen Household Waste Recycling Centre.
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The introduction of the booking system at Lower Polmaise and Callander brings those sites into line with the centre at Balfron, where a booking system has been operating successfully since June 2020.
The move to an online booking system, increasingly common across Scottish local authorities, will ensure the Household Waste Recycling Centres are accessed only by Stirling Council residents.
It will also reduce indiscriminate use by commercial operators, improve efficiency and provide better site control. Staff will continue to be available on site to assist residents with their visit and provide recycling advice.
Entry to Household Waste Recycling Centres remains free of charge for residents and there is no limit to the number of visits that residents can make by car. However, vans and trailers will be limited to 12 visits per year, with bookings also required through the booking system.
A full FAQ is included below and can also be accessed by residents via the booking system link.
Convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, Cllr Jen Preston, said: “Residents can book their slots from 1st May for visits to their chosen recycling centre from 15th May.
"The new booking system will ensure there are no long queues of traffic at peak times, which can cause frustration. Our site operatives will also be able to provide clearer guidance as demand is better managed when our recycling centres are busiest.
“Appropriate use of the Household Waste Recycling Centres will increase recycling rates and contribute to our net zero ambitions in line with our Climate and Nature Emergency Plan. It will also lead to a reduction in the cost of disposing of indiscriminate waste from commercial vehicles.
“We thank residents for working with us to implement these important changes to improve how we recycle household waste. We understand there will be a period required to allow people to get used to the new system and staff will discuss requirements with anyone who visits after 15th May but hasn’t booked.”
FAQs – Household Waste Recycling Centres: Online Booking
What are the main benefits of a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) booking system?
Stirling Council provides household recycling facilities for its residents at three locations and the introduction of an online booking system for Lower Polmaise and Callander brings those sites into line with the recycling centre at Balfron, where a booking system has been in operation since June 2020.
The booking system is being introduced to ensure that only waste from Stirling Council households enters our HWRCs. A booking system allows us to eliminate commercial use of HWRCs as businesses depositing commercial waste are not permitted to use these facilities. The booking system will control use, resulting in reduced costs of the service overall and improve capacity and access for residents.
The booking system will also allow the Council to limit traffic volume at our HWRC sites at any one time. This will ensure we do not build up long queues of traffic at peak times, which can cause frustration, and will also help reduce carbon emissions from vehicles idling whilst waiting. Our site operatives will also be able to provide clearer guidance to users of the facilities, as demand is better managed during peak times.
When does the booking system go live?
The booking system will go live from 1st May 2024 and it will allow residents to book their slots at their chosen HWRC from 15th May. For visits to Lower Polmaise and Callander from 1st-14th May inclusive, bookings are not required. Entry will not be allowed without booking on or after 15th May.
However, we understand that there will be a period required to allow residents to get used to the new system and staff will discuss requirements with anyone who visits but hasn’t booked during this period.
How do I make a booking when the system goes live?
The primary method of booking will be via the Council’s website. Where there is no ability to access the booking system online, it will be possible to make a booking by telephone to the Council’s Contact Centre.
Online - www.stirling.gov.uk/waste/book
Telephone – 01786 404040
Residents will be required asked to provide their name, address and vehicle registration number. You will be required to show your booking reference number and provide proof of address when visiting the HWRC site.
Will the booking system increase fly tipping?
A recent report from Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) concluded there was no evidence to suggest a link between implementing a booking system for HWRCs and fly tipping.
Do I need to bring ID with me?
Yes. When visiting our sites you will need your booking reference number and some form of identification to confirm proof of address.
How long in advance can I book?
Subject to availability, bookings can be made up to 14 days in advance. However, you can also book on the same day you wish to visit the site – again, subject to availability.
What if I need to cancel or reschedule?
Cancellations or rescheduled bookings (subject to availability) can be made online or via telephone (details above).
Are there restrictions on the number of times I can visit in a day or even a year?
There is no limit to the number of visits for cars. Vans and trailers will be limited to 12 bookings per year.
Can I bring any type of car/van/trailer to the site?
As per our guidance already available on the webpage - Household waste and recycling centres | Stirling Council access to the following types of vehicles is prohibited:
- Any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes
- Large Vans, Luton Box Vans not over 3.5 tonnes but including double wheel bases or raised roof
- Any flatbed trailers or vehicles
- Trailers with more than one axle
- Any trailer towed by another vehicle other than a car, pick-up or car derived van
- Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes
- Horse boxes
- Minibuses
- Agricultural vehicles
- Motorbikes / Quad bikes / Mobility scooter / e-scooters / e-bikes or mopeds
- Bicycles
Will I be charged to use the site?
Use of our HWRCs is free of charge for residents. A commercial weighbridge account can be set up at Lower Polmaise if you have business waste to dispose of.
Can I get assistance to unload my vehicle?
For health and safety reasons, our site operatives are not permitted to assist with unloading of waste from customers’ vehicles or trailers.
When are the opening times of the recycling centres?
See the Stirling Council webpage - Household waste and recycling centres | Stirling Council
What can I bring on to site?
The following table below outlines all waste materials that can currently be recycled at each of our Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Please review the webpage regularly for any updates: Household waste and recycling centres | Stirling Council
|
Material |
Lower Polmaise HWRC |
Callander HWRC |
Balfron HWRC |
|
Plastics, Cans, Aerosols & drinks cartons (Blue Bin) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Batteries (car/vehicle) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Batteries (household) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Books |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Bikes |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Paper & Cardboard (Green Bin) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Mixed Reusable Goods (Furniture, Bric a Brac) |
✓ |
X |
X |
|
Chipboard & Wood |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Garden waste |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Gas cylinders (propane & butane) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Glass bottles & jars |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Mattresses |
✓ |
X* |
X* |
|
Scrap metal |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Mixed waste |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Motor oil |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Carpets |
✓ |
X* |
X* |
|
Soil & Rubble (No Turf) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Textiles |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
WEEE (Large Domestic Electronic Appliances) – White Goods |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
WEEE (Small Mixed Electronic Appliances) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
WEEE Screens (TVs & Monitors) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Fluorescent Bulbs and Tubes |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Fridges & freezers |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Walking Aids (NHS issued only) |
✓ |
✓ |
✓ |
|
Plasterboard |
✓ |
X |
X |
|
Polystyrene |
✓ |
X* |
X* |
|
Hard Rigid Plastics |
✓ |
X* |
X* |
*Please note that mattresses, hard plastics, carpets and polystyrene can still be deposited within the general waste skips at Callander and Balfron HWRCs. However, to recycle these items, please visit Lower Polmaise.
For materials not listed above, please contact Zero Waste Scotland or check at Recycling locator | Zero Waste Scotland to find out where you can recycle or dispose of them.