Trial of standard tip opening hours to start on 1 May

Orkney Islands Council’s waste and recycling centres will open from 8am to 3:45pm from 1 May, for a trial period this summer.

Currently some sites have ‘winter’ and ‘summer’ opening hours (Hatson, Garson and Bossack and St Margarets Hope) - with later opening and closing times in the summer.

The aim of the trial is to explore how changing to standard year round opening times could simplify current arrangements, reduce wait times at tips for the public, and minimise confusion about opening times.

Current data shows that very few customers visit facilities after 5pm during summer hours. Later opening times during summer are also causing congestion on the sites in the mornings.

The trial will align all tips to the same opening times as the Council’s waste transfer facility at Chinglebraes (where all rubbish and recycling is prepared for transport), making emptying skips at the various sites more straightforward and resilient due to being within normal working hours for a greater number of drivers and site staff.

Lorna Richardson, Head of Neighbourhood Services for the Council, said: “We appreciate this is a change but we do feel bringing tip opening times more in line with Chinglebraes makes operational sense and will ultimately benefit the public by tackling some existing pinch points when it comes to busy times."

Opening days will remain the same (Hatston and Garson closed on Mondays; Bossack closed on Mondays and weekends, Cursiter closed on weekends; and St Margarets Hope open every day).

To check opening hours and what is accepted at each of the Council’s household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs), visit www.orkney.gov.uk/hwrc

The waste team welcomes feedback during this trial – you can email recycling@orkney.gov.uk

The trial will be reviewed before summer 2025.