Worcestershire County Council has reminded residents that extended opening hours at household waste sites should make it easier for them to recycle.

The County Council's Overview and Scrutiny Steering Committee held a session on waste with John Hobbs, Director of Environmental Services, and Waste Management officers earlier this month.

And members of the committee felt that residents might find it easier to reduce the amount they send to landfill if they took advantage of the wide-ranging opening hours at Worcestershire's 11 household waste sites.

Ian Holebrook, Worcestershire County Council Waste Services Manager, said: "One of the issues raised by members was queues outside the sites, which can happen when they are busy at the weekend.

"This may be because residents are not as aware as they could be of the fact that the sites open early and close later.

"We extended the opening hours because more people wanted to use them, so we know that early in the morning and after the working day are viable times. And if more people take advantage of these opening times, the quieter it becomes at the weekend, making it easier for everyone to recycle their waste."

The types of waste that can be recycled at the centres vary from textiles to glass, plastics to scrap metal. The majority of recycling centres in Worcestershire are open seven days a week from 8am until 6pm.

Household waste sites are operated free of charge for residents to deposit household waste and recyclables. There are staff on hand to assist and answer any questions.

Those wanting information about opening times for local recycling centres should contact 0845 607 2007 or visit www.worcestershire.gov.uk/householdwastesites