A NEW £3million recycling centre that opened in Teesdale this week will set the benchmark for all future sites in County Durham.
Built by Durham County Council, the state-of-the-art tip at Stainton Grove has been welcomed by people in the Barnard Castle area who previously had a 20 mile round trip to dump waste at Middleton-in-Teesdale or Tindale Crescent.
It is also hoped that offering a commercial trade waste service will reduce fly-tipping in the area.
The centre replaces a previous depot that was limited in the type of waste it could take and was only open at weekends.
Oliver Sherratt, the county council’s head of environment, said: “It was well used and valued by the local community. In the improvements we have tried to build on what is best practice. Gone are the days of what used to be called tips.
“We have included an opportunity and outlet for trade waste so there is no excuse for fly-tipping.”
Strategic waste manager for the council John Shannon added : “We want to use this as a potential model for best practice for other sites. The first year will be a learning experience and what we learn from this we want to take into the next contract.”
County councillor Richard Bell described the recycling centre as “impressive, spacious and well worth the wait”.
The centre can accommodate between 15 and 20 cars offloading at any given time.
Barnard Castle resident Barry Parker was first onto the site to drop off old carpet and cardboard.
He said: “I made myself a promise six months ago that I would be the first in and I did it.
“I think it is a superb facility. We have been going up to Middleton which is a 20 mile round trip. The bonus is this is going to be open every day.”
The new site also features a reuse centre which is already well stocked with TVs, microwave ovens, DVDs, CDs and soft toys, among other items.
