New ‘Click Before You Tip’ Booking System Introduced at Hazel Court HWRC in York

Anyone who’s ever tried to do a weekend clear-out knows the feeling. You’ve packed the car to the brim with garden clippings, that old wobbly bookcase, and bags of stuff you’ve been meaning to get rid of for ages. But then you get to the tip, and you’re met with a giant queue of cars snaking down the road. It seems a trip to the local recycling centre can sometimes feel like a traffic jam with a skip at the end. Well, for anyone using the Hazel Court site in York, that’s all about to change. City of York Council is rolling out a brand-new booking system designed to make the whole process quicker, safer, and a lot less stressful. This new approach should put an end to the frustrating queues and make the whole waste recycling experience much more predictable for everyone involved.

So, why the big change at Hazel Court?

Let’s be honest, nobody enjoys sitting in long queues. Over the past few years, Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre has become incredibly popular. That’s great for recycling rates, but not so great for the roads around it. The sheer number of visitors, especially during periods of peak demand like weekends and bank holidays, has led to some serious congestion on nearby James Street. This doesn't just affect those heading for their waste recycling duties; it also impacts local businesses and services in the area. The council realised that to tackle this growing problem of congestion and improve road safety, a new plan was needed. The goal is to manage the flow of visitors better, ensuring that everyone has a better experience without the long wait times. This new booking system is the answer to managing that peak demand and improving safety for all site users.

What this new booking system is all about

From Monday, 2 March 2026, anyone wanting to drop off waste at Hazel Court will need to book a timeslot in advance. It’s being called the ‘Click Before You Tip’ system, and it applies to all visitors in a vehicle. Whether you are one of the residents having a spring clean, one of the local traders getting rid of business waste, or representing charities or landlords, a booking will be required. The idea is to spread out the visits throughout the day into clear timeslots, preventing those traffic jams from building up. Think of it like booking a ticket for the cinema – you pick a time that suits you and turn up, knowing your spot is reserved. The aim is to create a much more organised and efficient experience.

Ian Hoult, the Head of Environmental Services at City of York Council, explained the thinking behind the move. He said, “We’re introducing bookings at Hazel Court Household Waste Recycling Centre to make visits faster, safer and more predictable, especially at busier times. From Monday 2 March, please don't travel to Hazel Court HWRC by car if you've not already booked a slot. By spreading demand into clear timeslots, we can reduce queues on surrounding roads and improve the experience for everyone using the site.” This new system is all about making the necessary job of recycling much simpler for residents and traders alike.

How to book a timeslot

Getting a slot is designed to be straightforward. The council wants to make sure the booking system is easy for all visitors to use. There are two simple ways to book a visit, and people can start making their bookings from Monday, 23 February, for slots starting on the launch day of Monday, 2 March. It’s worth noting that bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance, so planning ahead is easy.

• Online: The quickest way to book a timeslot is online. The website will go live on Monday, 23 February. Until then, anyone visiting the page will see a ‘coming soon’ message. Once it’s active, people can simply choose their preferred date and time.

• By Phone: For anyone who isn't comfortable using the internet or doesn't have access, there's a phone option. A quick call to the council’s Customer Services team is all it takes to book a slot. They will provide a confirmation number to bring along instead of an email.

This dual approach ensures that the new system is accessible to all residents, landlords, and charities who need to use the waste recycling centre.

What to expect on the day

Once a booking has been made, visitors will get an email confirmation with their allocated timeslot. All that’s needed is to show this email (or the confirmation number from a phone booking) on arrival. The site staff will be responsible for checking in each vehicle, making the process quick and efficient. This checking in procedure is the key to managing the flow and preventing queues. But beyond that, not much else will feel different on-site. The friendly staff will still be on hand to help people with their recycling, pointing them to the right skips and offering advice on how to sort different materials. The aim of this new system isn’t to change the helpful service but to improve the entry experience. There will also be a poster at the site to remind visitors about the new booking arrangements, with a clear message about how the system works.

A few final things to remember

It's important to know that this change only affects one specific site. This new booking system is exclusively for the Hazel Court HWRC and doesn't apply to the other centres at Strensall and Towthorpe. Those sites will continue to operate as they always have. Additionally, the walk-in recycling area at Hazel Court remains unchanged, so anyone arriving on foot doesn't need to book. The new 'Click Before You Tip' approach is specifically for vehicles visiting Hazel Court, covering everyone from residents and landlords to traders and charities. It’s a targeted solution to a specific problem of congestion, designed to make waste recycling in York a much smoother operation for everyone.