The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Residents claim they were turned away from Spalding tip because they had more than one bag of garden waste.
Residents took to Facebook to complain after they were told they could leave only a single bag of garden waste at the Household Waste Recycling Centre in West Marsh Road.
People reported being turned away over the Easter weekend and again the following Sunday afternoon and Monday morning “because they (the HWRC) took in too much over the weekend”.
Another Facebook user said people were turned away from 3pm on Sunday, which was backed up by another poster who said staff were only accepting cardboard and plastic from 3.30pm on Sunday.
However, a spokesman for Lincolnshire County Council, which operates the HWRC, said no one has been turned away over green waste but the confusion could have come from the rules that only one bag of bricks, soil and hardcore is allowed per person per day.
Executive member for waste and recycling, Coun Reg Shore, said: “Household waste, green waste and recyclable items are all accepted at the county’s HWRCs. We also allow one dustbin full of soil and bricks per person per day which is reasonable for residents undertaking DIY in their own home.
“Unfortunately there have been instances where small businesses attempt to dispose of their waste at HWRCs at the cost of local tax payers.
“Site staff can ask for a Commercial Waste Disclaimer form to be completed if they suspect that commercial waste is being presented. If refused, the waste will not be accepted.
“The majority of fly tipping is of a commercial nature.
“Most residents do make the effort to visit their nearest HWRC to dispose responsibly of their waste.
“It is the council’s policy to make sure that 95 per cent of residents are within a 12-mile radius of a recycling facility.”
Between April 1 and October 31, Spalding HWRC is open seven days a week from 8am to 4pm in reflection of the wider geographical area that it covers compared to centres in other areas.
South Holland District Council is in the process of establishing a household garden waste collection service which should ease pressure on the HWRC.
