Transformed waste site to boost city’s recycling hopes

Due to re-open on Monday August 15, the site will also house a “re-use” shop – being run by a community interest group formed by three local charities.

Revive, founded by Emmaus, Slate and St Jude’s, will sell good-quality used household items.

However, Leeds City Council yesterday confirmed that the smaller Gamblethorpe household waste site in Swillington will close at the end of August once the East Leeds site is operating.

Officials were unable to extend the existing temporary planning permission for that site.

Its users can instead take their rubbish to the East Leeds site on Limewood Road in Seacroft or those at Holmewell Road in Middleton and Stanley Road near St James’s Hospital.

An agreement with Wakefield council also means that some residents can also use a household waste site in nearby Castleford, but the necessary permission requirements have yet to be made clear.

More recycling containers are being installed at the east Leeds site and officials say the improvements should help city residents recycle a wider range of materials.

Clearer signs and improved traffic system should make it easier to drop off waste.

Leeds City Council says the redevelopment means the cite can also recycle or dispose of waste from small and medium-sized businesses – at, officials add, a reasonable cost.

Councillor Mark Dobson, the council’s executive member for environmental services, said: “The new facilities at East Leeds will make a significant contribution helping us increase recycling rates in the city to reduce landfill costs and benefit the environment.

“The redevelopment will make it much easier for both the public and trade users to recycle more.

”It was disappointing that we were unable to extend the planning permission at the Gamblethorpe site but we have made sure there are many other nearby options for residents who previously used this site,” he added.

The council hopes to recycle more than half the city’s waste by 2020 and East Leeds was one of the few sites not already overhauled.