Booking is now open for Powys Household Recycling Centres ahead of the system’s official start on April 1.

From that date, residents will need to pre-book a time slot before visiting.

Bookings for visits from April 1 onwards can now be made online or over the phone.

The charges for certain types of DIY waste disposal at recycling centres will also come into effect on the same date.

The introduction of these changes has faced significant opposition, including a petition signed more than 4,500 times, a debate on the plans being shut down, multiple motions from councillors requesting a pause, and a call for an emergency meeting. These efforts have not led to changes in the rollout.

The changes have also sparked debate on social media, with criticism from many residents.

However, the Liberal Democrats have defended the new system and charges.

Council leader Cllr James Gibson-Watt urged consideration of "the silent majority" and cautioned against overreacting. Budget papers from last year indicate that the move is expected to save or generate £400,000 for the council over two years.

According to the council, the booking system has been introduced to reduce congestion and queuing times, make visits quicker and more convenient, allow staff more time to assist visitors, improve recycling rates, prevent misuse by commercial operators and users from outside the county, and enhance site safety, enabling pedestrian and cyclist access.

Residents can book a time slot up to nine days in advance. To book, you will need to provide your name, address, email, and the registration number of your vehicle.

Bookings can be made online at www.powys.gov.uk/HRC or by phone at 01597 827465. The council encourages online booking as the quickest method, offering greater flexibility for amendments or cancellations.

Cllr Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys, acknowledged that some residents remain opposed to the changes but pointed to positive experiences in other areas.

She stated that feedback gathered from other councils confirms that these systems work well, and residents are happy once they have had time to adjust. In a recent North Wales survey, 81 per cent of residents ranked the new booking system as excellent, and 83 per cent supported keeping it in place.

“Change is always a challenge to begin with,” she said.

“It will soon become second nature to pre-book a time slot in the same way we book appointments for many other things in life, and it will make your visit to the household recycling centre more efficient knowing that you have your own slot to recycle your waste with the help of the staff, if needed.”

From April 1, a fee will be required for disposing of certain DIY waste at recycling centres. The council advises residents to think of DIY waste as items they wouldn’t take with them if moving house. For example, kitchen units, bathroom suites, windows, doors, patios, soil, fence panels, etc - if you would not take it, then it is likely to be DIY waste.

Charges will apply only to specific materials that incur recycling costs.

The council has stated that the fees are not intended to generate profit and have been kept as low as possible.

A full list of chargeable items is available at www.powys.gov.uk/HRC where there is also a list of frequently asked questions and answers.