Just When You Thought Waste Was Back to Normal

Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre to close temporarily for essential improvements

Central Bedfordshire Council is set to carry out essential works at the Leighton Buzzard Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC), which include repairing a drainage channel to reduce flooding risks and maintaining the site to ensure it remains accessible and convenient for staff and visitors for years to come.

For the work to be carried out safely, the site will need to close to the public from 12 January 2026 for up to eight weeks.

During this period, the council is offering additional booking slots at the nearest alternative HWRC sites at Thorn Turn and Ampthill. Residents are encouraged to use the online booking system. People who are unable to access online services can call and book a slot with Customer Services on 0300 300 8000.

In addition, residents will continue to receive their kerbside collections. To check these, visit the council’s website.

Cllr Tracey Wye, Executive Member for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, said: “I appreciate there is never a good time to carry out repair works and this will inconvenience some people, but I am sure most of us will understand the need to fix the drainage before it becomes a bigger job.

“We are lucky in Central Bedfordshire to have four HWRCs, and with the extra slots being made available at Thorn Turn and Ampthill, people should be able to continue to carry on recycling.”

She added: “The council website also has pages of other ideas for reusing, repairing and repurposing unwanted items which people might find to be even more convenient.”

Find recycling advice on the council’s website.

Alternatives to going to the HWRC include:

The council has published an A-Z list of items which can be reused, repurposed and recycled with clear advice https://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/directory/46/a_to_z_of_recycling?page=2
Consider donating usable items to charity or Thorn Turn ReUse shop
Check local social media for dates of repair cafes
Check local Freecycle, or Facebook Marketplace, to offer items to others
Remember, small electrical items and most batteries, textiles and shoes can be bagged and put out with your kerbside recycling bin
The council offers a bulky waste collection