Bookings needed to visit Waste Recycling Sites
Update – 4th March 2026
On your behalf, I tried this out on Monday 2nd at Portishead!
I have to say that it’s a lot of “faff” to enter all the details that the App requires …… name, email, car details etc. ….. but at least you can do all of that in the comfort of your home! I booked a slot for just 15 minutes later (I live quite close to it) and when I turned up within my 15 minute “zone”, the man on the gate had my car reg on his tablet.
Potentially then, it will work for us and potentially limit the amount of Bristol residents’ rubbish that North Somerset Council ends up paying to dispose of (…and which therefore gets included in our council tax bills)!
Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk
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Update – 23rd February 2026
The new system is implemented at all three sites from Monday 2nd March.
Booking a slot through the NSC app seems to be the easiest way.
Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk
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Update – 2nd February 2026
The new system hBookings needed to visit Waste Recycling Sitesas been implemented at Weston from today.
If you are using the app to book, you will most probably need to update it from your app store before it gives you the Booking option. I am testing the other features.
Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk
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Update statement from NSC – 16th January 2026
Visiting a recycling centre is set to become quicker and easier thanks to a new booking system introduced next month.
Why are we introducing a booking system?
The system is being introduced to make visits faster, safer and more efficient. It will:
- reduce queues
- cut carbon emissions from idling vehicle engines
- make visits easier
- ensure the sites are working efficiently help to manage sites safely during periods of repairs reduce unauthorised use by people from outside the area manage commercial and DIY waste correctly simplify vehicle permits for those who need them.
- this approach follows on from neighbouring councils, who all have successful booking systems in place.
How can I book?
Bookings can be made NSC’s website and you can also use the North Somerset Council app.
You can book up to two weeks before your visit and, if there’s space, as little as 10 minutes before a slot starts. You will get a booking confirmation email with a reference number and reminder emails will also be sent.
There is also the option to book on behalf of someone else, such as a resident without internet access. For those without access to the internet, bookings can be made online on behalf of friends and family members. Doing it online is the quickest and easiest way to book. Telephone calls will be answered with an automated system which will ask for your booking information.
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Update from NSC – 22nd December 2025
NSC now confirm that Weston-super-Mare will be the first site to benefit from the booking system. From Monday 2 February, you’ll need to book a slot before visiting. From Monday 2 March, the same system will be in place for the Portishead and Backwell sites.
The booking system will be on the website and accessible via the North Somerset Council app.
For those without access to the internet, we ask residents to help to make a booking online on behalf of friends and family members. Doing it online is the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to book. Calls into the contact centre will be answered with an automated system to capture the information that we need for the booking.
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Update from NSC – 26th November 2025
NSC have sensibly postponed the introduction of bookings at the waste sites until the New Year ….although they are at pains to point out that this will probably mean queues will build up on busy days …as we have been used to!
They have drawn up an FAQ paper about the new system and this is here (PDF opens in a new window)
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Information from NSC – 11th September 2025
A booking system for our three recycling centres is being introduced this autumn.
The online booking system will be introduced in stages. The first will be Weston-super-Mare, followed by Backwell and Portishead.
The system is being introduced to make visits faster, safer and more efficient.
It will:
-
- reduce queues
- make visits easier
- ensure the sites are working efficiently
- cut carbon emissions from idling vehicles
- reduce unauthorised use by people from outside the area
- manage commercial and DIY waste correctly
- help to manage sites safely during periods of repairs
- simplify vehicle permits for those who need them.
This follows on from neighbouring authorities, who all have successful booking systems in place.
Residents will be able to make a booking:
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- online – if you do not have access to the internet, friends and family members will be able to book for you
- over the phone – although the online option will be quicker and easier.
The booking system will be on the website and accessible via the North Somerset Council app.
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I will update with the dates of implementation as soon as I hear them
Steve Dixon, Parish Clerk