Couple told they can't recycle unless they have a car

A couple who tried to walk to their local recycling tip were turned away for health and safety reasons and told to make the 400 yard journey in their car instead.

David and Katie France thought they were being "doubly green" by taking their waste to the rubbish dump on foot. But on arrival they were told it was unsafe for them to walk onto the site in case they got run over by a car.

Mr France, 67, left his wife and the rubbish at the gate while he walked back home to get their Toyota Avensis car. When he reached the depot he picked up his wife, loaded the vehicle with the recycling, drove onto the site and disposed of the rubbish before driving home.



Mr France said: "It was farcical. I thought we were being doubly green by taking our recycling there on foot.

"But whatever good we did in recycling our waste was probably counteracted by the CO2 emissions we used up in our car."

A council spokesman said: "In general terms, the household recycling centres are designed for access by car and do not have dedicated access points for pedestrians. If residents have walked with the waste from their home then they will be allowed access on foot but will be advised against this practice on safety grounds."