SOUTH Gloucestershire Council says its new system of booking to visit Sort It recycling centres has cut queues and spread visits more evenly.
The council introduced the online advance booking system in March at all of its tips, including Mangotsfield, to meet a law introduced last year requiring councils to regulate the disposal of household DIY waste.
A spokesperson said council is “actively monitoring” the system and feedback from residents, although it was not possible to compare it with the old system because this did not accurately record visits.
During the opening “transition period” extra council staff and a security guard helped staff check drivers had bookings and helped people book them, but there has been no overall permanent increase in staffing levels to support the system.
The spokesperson said: “Our review shows that most residents are able to book their preferred time on the same day, although weekends tend to be busier.
“Following this initial bedding-in period, feedback from staff and residents suggests that the system has helped to reduce queuing and spread visits more evenly across the week.
“Most site users have adapted well to the new system. While there have been some incidents involving aggressive behaviour, there have been no serious threats or acts of violence reported. Verbal and physical abuse of our staff and other site users is not tolerated.”
The council says there has been “no overall increase in fly-tipping since the booking system was introduced”.