Going green in north Cumbria will become easier now that a new household waste recycling centre (HWRC) has opened in Brampton.

The new centre on the Townfoot Industrial Estate opened on Wednesday March 4 -with an official opening ceremony to follow on March 18. Designed for ease of use it features clear signs and a convenient traffic management system as well as a covered recycling area.

Open every day - except Tuesday -between 10am and 6pm it will allow people to recycle glass bottles, jars, newspapers, magazines, cans and tins, plastics, textiles, wood and timber, cardboard, scrap metal, oil, garden waste, batteries and electrical goods. The site can also be used to dispose of any non-recyclable household rubbish.

Previously the nearest household waste recycling centre to the Brampton area was Carlisle's Bousteads Grassing site, but the opening of the new centre will cut down on the distance people have to travel to have their waste recycled -providing further good news for the environment.

As with all other Cumbrian HWRCs anybody wanting to visit the site in a van will require a permit, which can be obtained free of charge by calling 0845 055 1118 or visiting www.cumbria.gov.uk/wastepermit (external link)

And with the opening of Brampton HWRC, Carlisle City Council has removed its recycling bank from the nearby Talkin Tarn on and is encouraging local people to recycle at the new site.

Councillor Tim Knowles, Cumbria County Council's cabinet member for waste management, said: "The opening of another household waste recycling centre is good news for both the environment and the people of north Cumbria.

"Having this site in Brampton is going to make it even more convenient for people in this part of the county to recycle and play their part in diverting waste from landfill.

"This new site will also be a major boost to the continuing improvements in Cumbria's recycling rates."

Not only is Brampton HWRC aimed at encouraging people to be more environmentally friendly - the centre itself is green. It has been designed so rainwater can be collected via the covered recycling area roof for use on the site.