Coronavirus: Long queues as Scotland's recycling centres reopen

Long queues built up at some recycling centres in Scotland which have reopened after some of the lockdown restrictions were eased last week.

On Monday morning motorists had to queue for long periods at some sites.

At Baldovie recycling centre in Dundee, queues started forming at 06:30 and drivers reported they had to queue for up to two hours.

It was the first time recycling centres had opened in the 10 weeks since lockdown began.

In Inverclyde, the council asked residents to avoid coming to Greenock's Pottery Street recycling centre due to "lengthy queues".

"If you can, please hold onto your waste for a little while longer," it asked.

Queues were spotted at Shieldhall recycling centre

In Glasgow, cars were spotted queuing outside the Shieldhall site.

Restrictions on the number of cars were in place, and only household rubbish in black bags was being accepted.

Cars queued to get into Hazelhead recycling facility in Aberdeen

Shetland Islands Council's recycling centre was busy

Cars queued to get into Hazelhead recycling facility in Aberdeen, and there was a steady flow of traffic to Shetland Islands Council's recycling centre where vehicles began queuing up from about 07:00.

How can you visit a recycling centre safely?

Zero Waste Scotland has some advice on how to dispose of your rubbish safely:

• Consider whether your trip is absolutely necessary and double check the one you are planning on going to is open.

• You may have to queue. Remain in your car while you wait.

• When you leave your car on site, take care to keep a good physical distance between yourself and others.

• Staff will not be available to help with lifting, so make sure you can safety lift items by yourself.

Lincluden Recycling Centre in Dumfries was quiet

Restrictions were in place at Wardpark recycling centre in Cumbernauld

But it was a mixed picture across the country. Pictures showed it was quiet at Lincluden Recycling Centre in Dumfries and at Wardpark Recycling Centre in Cumbernauld on Monday morning.

North Lanarkshire Council also had restrictions in place, with only up to 20 cardboard and household waste accepted.

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Many councils have extended opening hours of recycling centres, as well as bringing in other measures such as limiting what kinds of waste and how much will be accepted.

Several ask that you bring ID to prove you live in the area, and many have introduced booking systems to cope with demand.

What facilities are open near me?

Aberdeen - Recycling centres are open, and measures are in place, include restricting the size of vehicles and range of materials accepted to help maximise traffic flow. You should only come if necessary and try to visit later in the day.

Aberdeenshire - 12 of the council's recycling centres have now reopened. They are accepting bagged general waste, garden waste and electrical items. An online booking system is also in place.

Angus - Recycling centres in Arbroath, Forfar, Monifieth and Montrose have reopened on a restricted basis.

Argyll and Bute - Sites have now reopened, but the majority will only accept domestic and garden waste. It's expected to be about two weeks before more items are accepted.

Clackmannanshire - The area's one recycling centre reopened on Monday on a pre-booked slot basis, but all slots have been booked for this week.

Dumfries and Galloway - 10 of 12 recycling centres reopened on Monday. Only bagged waste is being accepted. Thornhill and Whithorn will remain closed due to traffic management issues.

Dundee - Dundee's two recycling centres are now open seven days from 09:00 to 16:00. Drivers reported waiting times of up to two hours at one site on Monday morning.

East Ayrshire - Both recycling centres - at Western Road in Kilmarnock and Garlaff, Skares - have now reopened to cars only, with extended opening hours. Pre-booking is required.

East Dunbartonshire - Mavis Valley Household Recycling Centre is now open seven days a week from 08:00 to 16:00. All waste is being accepted but for now only cars are allowed. Residents are being asked to bring along photo ID.

East Lothian - East Lothian's four recycling centres in Dunbar, North Berwick, Macmerry and Kinwegar by Wallyford have now re-opened. Sites are initially able to accept a maximum of five standard sized refuse sacks with garden waste or normal domestic waste and small electrical items for disposal per vehicle. Please bring proof of address.

East Renfrewshire - Barrhead, one of the two recycling centres, has reopened. Each day during the week it is opened to residents from different areas of East Renfrewshire from 10:00 until 15:30.

Edinburgh - All three recycling centres reopened but on an appointment-only basis. Cars only, and staff will not help with unloading due to physical distancing restrictions. There are also restrictions on what rubbish can be brought - the materials accepted include non-recyclable waste, garden waste, small electrical appliances, glass and other items. If you have large electricals, rubble or scrap metal you will be advised to drive to a separate area to deposit these.

Falkirk - Both recycling centres have now reopened, but have been busy. They are open seven days from 08:00 until 18:00.

Fife - Dunfermline (Lochead), Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, St Andrews and Lochgelly household waste recycling centres are now open seven days a week. It is appointment only, but the booking system is currently down. The earliest available slots are on Thursday. There are restrictions on what waste will be accepted, but cans and plastics, bagged landfill waste, garden waste and paper and cardboard will be accepted.

Glasgow - All centres have reopened Monday - Friday, 10:00 until 16:00. Dawsholm, Shieldhall, Polmadie and Easter Queenslie are expected to be particularly busy initially.

Highland - 14 tips have now reopened with revised opening hours. They are accepting bagged household waste and garden waste. Cars only.

Inverclyde - The Greenock recycling centre is open every day except Wednesday, from 08:00 to 17:00. Commercial vehicles are not permitted at weekends. The Kirn Drive depot is expected to reopen on 15 June.

Midlothian - Stobhill has now reopened with a new traffic management system. Residents are asked to sort their waste before travelling to the recycling centres.

Moray - Recycling centres have now reopened, with a booking system now in place. There are some restrictions on what items are being accepted.

North Ayrshire - Bartonholm in Irvine and Brodick recycling centres are now open. The Kilbirnie site will reopen on 15 June, and the Largs site on 22 June. No vans or trailers allowed. Limited items can be disposed of just now, including general waste, garden waste, cardboard, wood and scrap metal.

North Lanarkshire - All recycling centres open seven days a week. Up to 20 bags of household waste and cardboard will be accepted. You must bring photo ID.

Orkney Islands - Hatston and Garson recycling centres will reopen on Tuesday, initially only accepting garden waste.

Perth and Kinross - All site have reopened to accept bagged domestic general waste only. A maximum of six bags per day will be accepted. You will not be allowed to queue on the road - if you arrive and there is no room to queue you must return later.

Renfrewshire - All sites have reopened to cars only. You must bring proof of residency and ID with you. Until 15 June, only excess bagged household waste can be disposed.

Scottish Borders - Things quietened down after initial waiting times of about 30 minutes on Monday morning. Only garden and general waste accepted, and a maximum of five bin bags per trip and one visit per day. Only cars and small vans are allowed, and a new system has been implemented, whereby cars with the last number of registration even can visit on even dates and on odd dates cars with the last number of the registration odd can come on odd dates.

Shetland Islands - The household waste recycling centre in Gremista in Lerwick is now open, with temporary extended opening hours from 08:00 until 20:00.

South Ayrshire - All recycling centres now open with extended opening hours from 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday. There are an additional two "pop up" sites available in Ayr and Girvan for general black bag waste. Cars only, unless you have a permit. Bring proof of address.

South Lanarkshire - All centres now open, but you need to bring proof of address. Black bag waste, cardboard (but not paper) and compostable garden waste are the only things being accepted just now.

Stirling - Polmaise and Callander household waste and recycling centres have now reopened. The centre at Balfron will remain closed because social distancing measures and traffic management are not possible. The sites have different opening hours are accept different materials. You can read about the restrictions here.

West Dunbartonshire - All recycling centres now reopened. Currently operating Monday to Saturday, 09:00 til 18:00. Access is restricted to cars only, and only cardboard, household and garden waste accepted just now. A new system has been implemented, whereby cars with the last number of registration even can visit on even dates and on odd dates cars with the last number of the registration odd can come on odd dates.

Western Isles - Creed recycling centre reopened on Monday, while Rueval opens on Tuesday. Community managed sites will open soon, but dates have not been confirmed.

West Lothian - All five centres are now open 7 days a week from 10:00 to 18:00. Busy sites are very busy but a few are quiet. Not all items are being accepted. Cars only for now.