Customer booked nearly 250 visits to Dumfries and Galloway recycling centres in a year

A local authority is considering introducing booking limits at its household waste recycling centres after one individual was found to have made nearly 250 in a year.

Dumfries and Galloway Council has revealed that a local resident made 247 visits to household waste recycling centres, mostly Anna and Lockerbie, between April 2024 and May this year.

The figure was captured through a report to the council’s economy and infrastructure committee.

The report found that the pattern indicated “potential misuse of facilities by commercial operators” and suggested that introducing limits on visits could be considered.

Lockerbie was one of the most visited centres by the resident. © Google Maps 2025

The council operates 12 HWRCs across the region, including the new Dumfries Zero Waste Park.

The council said it is now reviewing the scope and access policies of its recycling centres, including introducing domestic and commercial vehicle permits.

“We want to ensure fair access to our recycling facilities while preventing misuse,” said a spokesperson.

“The booking system has provided valuable data to help us review site usage and optimise services for residents.”

The council also reported that in 2024/25, 254 users made more than 52 visits per year, highlighting a broader trend of high-frequency use.

Officials are now considering whether to set maximum visit limits to balance accessibility with operational efficiency.

The HWRC review will take into account site provision, condition, usage, and efficiency, and is expected to be presented to council members by March 2026, with a final report due in October 2026.

The revelation comes as the council continues to roll out initiatives to increase recycling rates, including the kerbside garden waste collection service, community reuse partnerships, and improvements to the booking system.