Waste and recycling centres are beginning to reopen in north London – but residents are being urged to think carefully before they visit.

Six sites operated by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) will open on Wednesday (May 13) as the Government slowly begins to ease the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.

The NLWA-run sites include Summers Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre in Barnet and Western Road Recycling Centre in Haringey.

In Enfield, Barrowell Green Reuse and Recycling Centre – which is operated by the council – partially reopened on Monday (May 11).

News of the reopenings will come as a relief to households who have been producing extra waste while staying at home during the Covid-19 pandemic.

But residents have been urged to think carefully before visiting, as restrictions will be in place at the sites.

The NLWA says people will be able to dispose of “limited household or garden waste items” and must book a slot before they can attend.

To ensure social distancing guidelines are followed, only a limited number of cars will be allowed on site at one time and staff will not able to assist visitors.

For more information and to book an appointment, visit: http://wiseuptowaste.org.uk/recycle/information-on-reuse-and-recycling-centres-covid-19/

Enfield Council has asked residents to use Barrowell Green Recycling Centre “responsibly and only if necessary, to deposit limited amounts of household rubbish, recycling and garden waste”.

Only those who have booked an appointment are allowed to visit the centre. Five cars at a time are allowed on site, and each visitor has 15 minutes to dispose of their rubbish and recycling.

For more information and to book an appointment slot, go to: https://new.enfield.gov.uk/services/rubbish-and-recycling/recycling-banks/#2

NLWA chair Cllr Clyde Loakes said: “If the Covid-19 outbreak has shown one thing, it is its huge impact on us all. That’s why it is so important that residents think carefully about whether keeping unwanted items or household waste at home is absolutely necessary and is putting them at risk of harm before trying to visit a reuse and recycling centre (RRC).

“All of the reopened sites will be operating a booking system. Please be responsible – don’t go to an RRC unless you absolutely need to. We know it’s inconvenient, we know you want rid of these items, but if you can hang on to those items for a bit longer, we can all make sure that someone who really needs to use an RRC can do so.”

Barnet Council’s environment committee chairman Cllr Dean Cohen added: “It’s great that our Summers Lane depot can reopen for people who really need to use it. However, residents should only go if they really need to. The coronavirus is still a big threat that we must protect ourselves from at all costs. We will continue to do everything we can to prevent its spread.”