Visiting Barrowell Green Reuse and Recycling Centre is about to get easier, with residents no longer needing to book an appointment before they visit.
From 1 December, the booking system for cars and bicycles will be removed, meaning residents can simply turn up at the centre during its opening hours.
The change has been agreed by Enfield Council and the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), which now runs the centre.
Residents will soon be able to recycle coffee pods and ink cartridges at Barrowell Green and a dedicated book reuse and recycling bin will also be installed. Further recyclable items are set to be added in the near future.
Height restrictions at the site will remain in place. Anyone wishing to visit in a van will still need a van permit, with the permit system moving to the NLWA’s website, from December.
Enfield Council’s cabinet member for environment, Cllr Maria Alexandrou, 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.”
Councillor Jacob Cable, NLWA Chair, said: “Our network of eight reuse and recycling centres 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."
There are two reuse and recycling centres in the borough. The second is the Edmonton EcoPark (N18). Visitors do not an appointment for this facility either.