Only small queue when recycling centre reopens

But it was a relatively quiet morning, with little or no queuing.

Islanders had been warned to keep away on the first day if they could, after huge queues at the Chouet green waste site, when it reopened on Monday.

Traffic wardens were on hand to deal with any queues, but largely they were not needed.

Guernsey Waste operations manager Sarah Robinson said they were pleased with how the morning had gone.

‘It’s been going really well,’ she said.

‘We opened at 8am and the queue was not too bad – about 20 cars.’

That went down quickly and by 9am there was no queue.

This was despite the strict rules in place on the site. Only seven vehicles are allowed on it at a time and they have to travel between different bays, which are designated for different items.

About eight staff were on hand to help direct people around the site, which had been re-organised to ensure people could socially distance. Staff were not allowed to help unload goods.

It is not possible to drop off items like mattresses or black sack rubbish, as this would involve having to pay and would increase contact between staff and the public.

Miss Robinson said islanders had been good about abiding by the rules.

‘Most people had read the information and turned up with the right items,’ she said.

‘We had a few people with black sacks, who we had to turn away.’

Among the items people brought down that could be dropped off were children’s outdoor plastic toys, microwaves, shelves and metal benches.

Brian Le Page was there dropping off a metal Venetian blind and some metal strips from his oil tank.

‘I was pleased to see the site reopen and the staff are doing a good job,’ he said.

‘The shed will look a lot tidier now.’

The site’s bays are blue and clear kerbside recycling bags, small electrical items and scrap metal, rigid plastics, inert waste and glass, food waste and domestic appliances.

There is a list of items which are not being accepted. This includes clothing, CDs, televisions, paint, furniture, batteries and black sacks.

. The site is open from 8am until 4pm Monday to Saturday, and 8am until noon on Sundays. It is closed on bank holidays.