Trial removal of booking system at Millbrook Household Waste and Recycling Centre extended for a further three-month period

Southampton residents are being urged to make full use of the Household Waste and Recycling Centre in Millbrook following the decision to continue with the trial removal of the booking system for a further three months

The trial period will be extended until the end of June, as visitor numbers will increase as the weather improves. This allows for the continued monitoring of any impact there might be on fly tipping rates and any potential traffic management issues that might arise during peak times such as Easter Bank Holiday and during the growing season. 

From 27 December 2021, residents have been able to maximise their recycling by visiting the Southampton Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) without the need to book. All other HWRCs in Hampshire, including Netley, will continue to operate the booking system. 

Time slots were introduced in July 2020 during the height of the pandemic to manage traffic levels and to help control visitor numbers. While the system has worked well across Hampshire, it is hoped that the trial removal of the booking system will help reduce the number of fly tipping incidents in Southampton by allowing instant access for residents. After visiting the centre, users are being asked to provide feedback on their experience by emailing hwrc.feedback@southampton.gov.uk.

Vehicle height restrictions apply - 1.75m - between Monday and Friday, but not at weekends.

Cabinet Member for Customer Service & Transformation – Councillor Rob Harwood said:

"We need to ensure there are no possible barriers preventing people from recycling as much as they can, removing the need for a time slot at the Southampton Millbrook Household Waste & Recycling Centre reinforces this.

"The move helps residents to dispose of rubbish and unwanted items as easily as possible, and although we can't make a direct link between fly tipping rates and the booking system that was in place at the HWRC, we hope that the six month trial period will have an impact on this problem.

"The need for time slots was introduced to help with COVID measures, I'd like to take this opportunity to remind users of the HWRC that COVID remains a risk and we all still need to do all we can to stay safe and help stop the spread of it."