Why your car registration will determine when you can visit Cornwall's recycling centres

Cornwall's waste and recycling centres are set to reopen next Tuesday (May 19) with strict rules in place to avoid overcrowding.

The days on which residents are allowed to go to the tip depend on the year their car was registered.

For example, cars with an 09 plate will only be able to visit on an an odd date of the month, while cars with an 08 plate will only be able to dump their waste on an even day.

Cornwall Council has told residents they can only visit tips for essential use - with general rubbish and garden waste that cannot be stored safely at home.

If safety is compromised, the council warned it would close sites immediately.

The council said it expected long queues to form outside tips when they opened.

Explaining the way in which people will access tips, a spokesperson said: "If the last digit of your number plate is ODD - 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 - then you may only visit an HWRC on an ODD date of the month, e.g. 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, or 29 May etc.

"For example, if your license plate number is WL57 ABO, then the last digit is 7 – an odd number – so you may only visit an HWRC on an odd date of the month, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 May etc.

"If the last digit of your vehicle number plate is an EVEN number – 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 - then you may only visit an HWRC on an EVEN date of the month, e.g. 20, 22, 24, 26 May etc.

"For example, if your number plate is B398 EWP, the last digit is 8 – an even number – so you can only visit on an even date of the month. Even numbers include the number 0 (zero)."