Recycling centre's booking system binned

Starting from December residents will be able to turn up at Barrowell Green to dump rubbish without booking a time slot

Barrowell Green Recycling Centre in Winchmore Hill

Enfield residents should find it easier to access a recycling centre from next month – when its booking system will finally be ditched.

Barrowell Green Reuse and Recycling Centre in Winchmore Hill has for several years only been available for people arriving by car or bike who have pre-booked a time slot, but from Tuesday, 1st December anyone will be able to turn up during its opening hours.

The new arrangement has been agreed by Enfield Council and North London Waste Authority (NLWA), which now runs the centre.

Barrowell is one of two reuse and recycling centres in the borough where residents can drop-off large items and materials that cannot otherwise be disposed of via kerbside bin collections. The borough’s other recycling centre is based at Edmonton Eco Park.

In addition to removing the booking system at Barrowell, another upcoming change will allow residents to recycle coffee pods and ink cartridges, as well as books. Further recyclable items are set to be added in the near future.

Height restrictions at the site will remain in place, however, and anyone wishing to visit in a van will still need a van permit.

Maria Alexandrou, the council’s cabinet member for environment, said: “This is excellent news for Enfield residents. People want recycling to be simple, convenient and accessible, and removing the need to book will make a real difference.

“Residents will now have the flexibility to visit Barrowell Green when it suits them, making it easier than ever to recycle responsibly.

“I am also delighted that the range of recyclable materials accepted on site is being expanded, meaning more household items can be reused or recycled rather than thrown away. Together, these improvements represent a significant step forward in delivering a greener, cleaner and more resident-focused service for Enfield.”

Barrowell Green is open from 8am to 4pm every day of the week except Mondays.

Jacob Cable, NLWA’s chair, added: “Our network of eight reuse and recycling centres [across North London] helps us deliver one of the most comprehensive recycling services in the country. Wherever possible, we prioritise reuse, putting items aside to be sold in our reuse shops, passing on clothing and leftover paint, or giving away reusable DIY materials. This supports our ambition to double the amount of material reused through our reuse and recycling centres and halve the amount of recyclable material that ends up in rubbish bins.

“Although residents might not see what happens to their waste after they’ve passed it on, collectively, their actions make a huge difference. We’re asking them to do their bit by making use of recycling and reuse services, helping extend the life of precious materials and reduce the carbon emissions that are harming our planet.”

For more information about recycling in Enfield:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/rubbish-and-recycling

For more information about Barrowell Green:
Visit nlwa.gov.uk/places-to-recycle/enfield-barrowell-green

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