Views sought on cost-cutting recycling measures

The amount of waste collected at the nine council-run sites has risen to 85,000 tonnes a year since 2017

The public's views are being sought on plans to cut opening hours at nine recycling centres in Derbyshire.

In June, the county council revealed the cost-cutting proposals, which include residents potentially being charged to dispose of tyres and asbestos.

The authority-run centres, which accept household waste only, currently operate from 08:30 until 18:00 every day.

The proposals follow a 32% increase in the amount of waste collected at the sites since 2017.

'Huge budget pressures'

Under the new plans, businesses and sole traders will be allowed to dispose of commercial waste at some of the centres "for a reasonable charge".

It would also adopt the government definition of "DIY waste", which can be disposed of at recycling centres for free, and includes the litter produced by residents while making improvements to their home.

In addition, a new vehicle registration scheme will be introduced to ensure those using the sites are entitled to do so.

Since 2017, the amount of waste collected at the sites has risen to 85,000 tonnes a year, which the council said costed an extra £700,000 to £800,000 a year to dispose of and recycle.

The council has launched a public consultation on the plans, adding the authority was "facing huge budget pressures from external forces", including higher-than-anticipated inflation.

The county council has household waste and recycling centres in Ashbourne, Bolsover, Buxton, Chesterfield, Glossop, Ilkeston, Loscoe, Newhall and Darley Dale.