In line with the phased approach to reopening Suffolk's recycling centres, people with vans, trailers and trade waste can now book an appointment to visit nine of the county's 11 recycling centres, including Felixstowe.

Bookings can be made now for time slots available tomorrow [Thursday July 2] and over the next seven days. All visitors will need to pre-book an appointment online before arriving, where they will be asked what type of vehicle they will use and whether they are bringing household or business waste. In order to prevent queueing on neighbouring roads, people without a booking will not be able to enter the site. Social distancing measures also operate on site.

There are a number of restrictions in place in order to help support social distancing on sites and to make sure waste is dealt with efficiently. These include:

Vans with trailers will not be allowed on any site

All waste should be pre-sorted to make your visit as quick and simple as possible and to maximise recycling

The booking system has proved an efficient and effective way of allowing people to easily dispose of their rubbish and recycling and help manage demand on service, and has been given widespread public support.

The easy-to-use booking system is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/recyclingcentres. If you don't have access to the internet call 0345 606 6067. Residents must not arrive on site more than 5 minutes before their allocated time. Appointments are released on a rolling seven-day basis.

Paul West, Cabinet member for Waste at Suffolk County Council, said: "We have carefully planned the phased reopening of our recycling centres in order to have the capacity to deal with the backlog of waste created during lockdown.

"It also remains extremely important to manage social distancing for staff and visitors to the sites. Thanks to members of the public this phased reopening has gone very well."

At this time appointments for vans, trailers and trade waste are unavailable at Haverhill and Leiston Recycling Centres. These are smaller sites and have fewer appointments available.

Any waste you have which is contaminated or suspected to have been contaminated with COVID 19 must be double-bagged and kept at home for 72 hours before it is brought to site.

Suffolk County Council continues to review the temporary rules and will remove restrictions to the service when it is safe to do so.

People who are, or have anyone in their household, suffering from Covid-19 symptoms, or have been diagnosed as having the virus must not visit Recycling Centres. Please follow the government's guidance on self-isolating and shielding.

Full terms and conditions can be found at Suffolk recycling centres website.