When Recycling Is Made Needlessly Difficult

If you know Take My Scrap Car, you’ll probably know that we are pretty outspoken and committed when it comes to simplicity. The long and short of it being that we are strong believers in simplicity as the key to encouraging wider and more effective recycling across the UK. As such, anything that makes recycling more complicated than it needs to be is the kind of thing we’d like to see the back of.

Recently, we came across a story from Essex that highlighted just how nonsensical the recycling policies of certain centres are. When any vehicle reaches the end of its life, you are told to recycle it responsibly. Which in the case of TMSC involves calling our team, having us take care of everything on your behalf and even paying you the best possible price, in accordance with scrap values.

As for recycling everyday household items, it really shouldn’t be difficult to take what you’ve got where it needs to go and do the right thing.

Sadly, when Charles and Maureen Norgan set out to do some everyday recycling in their Ford Ranger Thunder, they didn’t encounter an easy or accommodating service.

They did exactly what anyone in their position would do – they headed over to Dovercourt Recycling Centre to hand over their bits and pieces responsibly. Unfortunately, they were turned away and told that their vehicle would not be accepted – all because it has an open back.

But in this case, it isn’t the recycling centre itself that’s to blame. Instead, Essex County Council decided late last year to introduce new legislation, whereby commercial vehicles and pickups – even those used as private domestic vehicles – may no longer be accepted by this recycling centre. But what’s even more remarkable is that according to Mr Norgan, those who drive these vehicles are not even allowed to enter the recycling centre on foot, in order to recycle their own everyday household waste.

“Our vehicle is not for commercial use and we just want to drop off our household waste,” he said.

“The situation is pathetic as there is nothing actually wrong with the rubbish we want to dispose of,”

“We are simply not allowed to drop rubbish off because of the vehicle we use,”

“Essex County Council has advised us to drive 20 miles to a bigger rubbish site in Clacton, which is just ridiculous.”

His wife lashed out at the decision the council reached, stating that she’s already been in touch with them personally to express her anger.

“I don’t want to have to spend money on fuel to drive 20 miles and back to dispose of my rubbish in Clacton,” she said.

“Any vehicle which looks like it can be used for commercial use is barred and mine is because it has an open back.”

As for Essex County Council, they indicated no intention of backing down and suggested that the Norgans and anyone with similar personal vehicles will have to go elsewhere.

“These changes, which came into effect last October at some of our smaller recycling centres, were publicised and residents were made aware of the sites affected well in advance,” said a spokesman.

“Residents who wish to use vans or pick-up trucks to dispose of their own household waste are still able to access the larger recycling sites, such as those in Clacton and Colchester,”

“These changes have allowed our smaller centres to operate more efficiently, reducing queuing times and site closures for the emptying of skips.”

Hardly conducive with making recycling easier…