Longue Hougue's recycling centre set to reopen in Guernsey

Guernsey's household waste and recycling centre at Longue Hougue is to reopen today (Thursday 30 April).

The site closed towards the end of March to try to limit the amount of people leaving their homes at the start of the lockdown.

Long car queues formed on Monday when the garden waste facility reopened to the public.

The States says the recycling centre will be open for extended hours, which includes Thursdays, but there will be restrictions on what items can be dropped off so social distancing guidelines can be adhered to.

Opening times will be from 8am to 4pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am to noon on Sundays.

Materials which can be taken to the centre include:

  • Scrap metal

  • Rigid plastics

  • Small electric items, including computers

  • Inert waste (e.g. bricks, stone, ceramics, etc.)

  • Blue and clear kerbside recycling bags

  • Bulky cardboard

  • Glass

  • Food waste

  • Domestic appliances

The States also says that anyone looking to deposit general rubbish, wooden furniture, beds and mattresses will not be able to do so. Payments need to be made for these items anstaff are not taking any payments until the situation can be safely managed.

People are also being asked not to bring items that are in good working order for reuse but instead to keep hold of these. Anyone bringing rubbish that the site is currently not accepting will be asked to take them away again.

Goods which the centre is not accepting at this time:

  • Batteries - household & car

  • Bubble wrap and polythene

  • CDs, DVDs & VHS

  • Clothing & shoes

  • Oil (cooking and motor)

  • TVs/computer screens

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Fluorescent tubes and light bulbs

  • Gas cylinders

  • Printer cartridges

  • uPVC windows & doors

  • Items requiring payment:-

  • General household waste i.e. black bags

  • Paint

  • Wood

  • Furniture (including soft furnishings)

  • Mattresses

Guernsey Waste is requesting that people only visit the site this week if they are no longer able to keep hold of their materials.

Bosses at the facility are hoping to avoid long queues like those for the garden waste on Monday as well as those at the Chouet green waste site. However if queues extend beyond the Aquastar building, vehicles will be turned away by traffic wardens.

A maximum of seven vehicles will be be allowed to enter the site at any one time with those queuing allowed in on a 'one out, one in' basis. Staff will not be able to assist with unloading items from vehicles to ensure that social distance is maintained.

The States says that waste deposit sites in neighbourhoods across the island remain closed and people are being asked to make use of the kerbside recycling scheme instead.