The future of East Sussex’s controversial booking system for household waste recycling sites will be debated by county councillors next week.
At a meeting on Tuesday 14 July, East Sussex County Council will consider a motion calling on the cabinet to review the appointment system introduced at the county’s 10 recycling centres, including Mountfield near Battle, last November.
The motion, put forward by Liberal Democrat councillors Kathryn Field and Stephen Holt, says the scheme has left many residents feeling “dissatisfied and excluded”. The booking system proved highly unpopular during a 2024 public consultation, which attracted nearly 6,000 responses – the highest ever received by the council’s communities, environment and transport department. Around 91% of respondents opposed the proposal.
Despite the criticism, council officers say the scheme is delivering significant savings. Originally expected to save £50,000 a year by reducing misuse of sites by commercial operators, early figures suggest savings could reach almost £580,000 if current trends continue.
Waste entering recycling sites fell by 11% between November and April, while officers say there is little evidence the reduction has led to more household rubbish or widespread fly-tipping. Although fly-tipped waste increased slightly during the period, overall levels across East Sussex have fallen over the past three years.
Councillors will decide whether the cabinet should reconsider the system.
Image Credits: David Worwood .