Have Your Say on the Future of our Recycling Centres

Hertfordshire County Council has launched a survey to gather residents’ views on a range of options to ensure our network of recycling centres and reuse shops can continue to operate efficiently.

The council provides 16 recycling centres and five reuse shops across the county. The service is under increasing pressure with rising costs, visitor numbers, commercial waste abuse and new rules and regulations for operation.

A recent survey reported almost 100% of front-line staff receive regular verbal or physical abuse. This cannot be acceptable, and the council wants to support its staff in the workplace.

Why your views are important

The council is under significant financial pressure, including the rising costs of meeting social care needs. It costs around £13 million to run the recycling centre service each year and the service needs to be operated as efficiently as possible to support the financial challenge.

Previous proposals to help manage the service pressures involved reducing operating days at four centres and introducing a booking system for all visits. These proposals were cancelled, and the council would like your views on some potential alternative approaches to ensure the service remains sustainable and continues to meet the needs of residents.

Responses to this consultation will help inform a future decision in early 2026.

Have your say on the recycling centre proposals. Consultation closing date: 28 November 2025