Household waste recycling centres are re-opening again from Monday but but you can book a slot online from this afternoon (Thursday May 28).
The new scheme will see centres re-opening on an appointment-only basis, in an attempt to reduce overcrowding and protect workers.
Anyone turning up without an appointment will not be allowed in and slots are currently limited to one per household.
Tips were closed in March due to staff shortages and physical distancing guidance, as well as Scottish Government advice against non-essential journeys.
During the initial period only cars will be permitted on-site, no vans or trailers, and staff will not be able to help unload vehicles so only bring what you can carry.
Traffic queues are expected at each recycling centre upon reopening and there will be traffic management in place, including at Seafield, where they will be temporarily reverting to the old entrance on Fillyside Road for the first three weeks.
Telephone bookings will not be taken, the council said, as all their operators are busy dealing with coronavirus-related calls. Currently the only way to book a slot is through the new online portal.
You can find details of what restrictions will be in place at each of the city’s three recycling centres on the council website.
The council are also starting to collect bulky items from outside people’s houses again. This service is also resuming from Monday, June 1 with a maximum of five items per household. Online booking for this also starts today.
The special uplift service is expected to be busy during the first weeks, so there may be a wait for collections – check the council website for updates.
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The council said they were able to reopen recycling centres at Seafield, Sighthill and Craigmillar in light of changes to guidance from the Scottish Government. And a return of crew members meant bulky item uplifts could also resume.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: "We’ve been working extremely hard to deliver services as close to normally as possible and, as of Monday, HWRCs will be reopening, on an appointment-only basis.
"However, it’s likely recycling centres will be extremely busy at the beginning, so please only visit if you are unable to continue storing your waste safely at home and ensure you book an arrival slot if you are coming.
"It’s essential that we look after the health of all those who work in and visit our HWRCs, and there will be changes to the way they operate for the foreseeable future to allow us to do this. I’m grateful to residents for their patience as we have adjusted to this unprecedented situation, and I’d like to thank them for holding on to any bulky items, and those who continue to do so during the initial busy period."
Garden waste collections were also reintroduced from 12 May after they were suspended in April, while glass recycling collections, which were suspended in March, recommenced from 28 April.
Further information on changes to bin collections and other services can be found on the Council website.
