Advertised opening hours at Hertfordshire's network of 16 recycling centres are to be shortened, in a bid to reduce the amount of abuse levelled at staff.

Currently, busy recycling sites can be shut to new visitors up to 30 minutes before the advertised closing time – to allow time for those already inside to deal with their waste and for staff to clean the site.

But being turned away can cause frustration and, say officials, can be a trigger for some residents to become abusive towards frontline staff.

So now waste chiefs are set to reduce advertised operational hours at all sites by 30 minutes to reduce resident confusion and support staff.

The change, which will not reduce the standard hours worked by staff, will come into force across the county from January 2.

On Tuesday (December 16), the move was outlined to a meeting of the council's environment, transport and growth cabinet panel.

Officials stress that it is already common practice to close the gates up to 30 minutes before the advertised closure time – and that 97% of visits are already undertaken within the new hours.

At the meeting, the change was backed by the executive member for environment, transport and growth, Cllr Paul Zukowskyj.

"First and foremost in my mind is that we have to protect our staff and keep them safe," said Cllr Zukowskyj.

"And I am happy to look at any options and approaches to doing that.

"And the operational change – in terms of the advertised recycling centre opening hours – is exactly that. It's to try and ensure they are not getting abused."

At the meeting, councillors heard that there was an "unacceptable level of abuse and aggression towards site staff", despite the use of body-worn cameras.

Confusion caused by sites closing the gates before the published closing time was said to be one of the "triggers" for abuse.

The report also highlighted triggers that included a lack of understanding of site rules and legislation, such as definitions of limits to DIY waste disposal, and a lack of capacity to accept residents' waste.

It also highlighted instances where staff challenge visitors as to the origin of their waste, should they suspect it is commercial rather than domestic waste.

At the meeting, Conservative Cllr Eric Buckmaster suggested that greater use of technology could be made, with direct messaging to inform and educate recycling centre users.

The changes to advertised opening hours were highlighted as part of an overall review of the fifth year of the county council's in-house delivery of recycling centre services.

According to the report presented to councillors, there are 1.5 million visits made to the Hertfordshire sites a year.

And in 2024/25, it suggests 86,226 tonnes of waste were collected, which is 6.5% higher than the year before.

According to the report, the highest amount of domestic waste was collected at Waterdale, which was the only site to exceed 10,000 tonnes in the 12 months, with Ware and Stevenage each collecting more than 8,000 tonnes, but less than 10,000.

Hoddesdon dealt with the lowest amount of waste in 2024/25, with less than 2,000 tonnes collected in the 12-month period.

Up to 37 different materials are now segregated for recycling, reuse or recovery across the network, councillors heard. And according to the report the commercial and reuse services continue to grow.

Also highlighted in the report are issues relating to staffing and to crime at the centres.

According to the report, despite the use of monitored CCTV, police have been called to 36 incidents since June 2024, making six arrests.

In 2025, 11 containers were stolen "by organised criminals forcing entry to [recycling centres] during the night".

Also highlighted in the report were plans to recruit additional staff to reduce the use of agency workers.

Work-related stress caused "by the frequent exposure to abusive and aggressive behaviour from site users" was reported to contribute to sickness absences and staff turnover.

• A public consultation on future plans for the network of recycling centres has now closed.

As part of the consultation, residents were asked for their views on the possible introduction of an e-pass registration system for residents, an offer to accept more DIY waste at a cost or a ban on unsorted waste.

Responses are currently being analysed. Any recommendations will be considered at the next meeting of the environment, transport and growth cabinet panel on January 26.