Calls to end online-only booking system for Hampshire's tips and waste recycling centres
Plea to reinstate the option to book a tip slot by telephone
A call has been made to end the online-only booking system for Hampshire’s household waste recycling centres.
A motion, due to be debated at Hampshire County Council’s full council meeting on October 1, argued the current system, approved in 2025, excludes residents without internet access or digital skills.
It has been proposed by Liberal Democrat councillor Chrissie Bainbridge and seconded by Cllr Emily Young. It says the council should ensure all services remain accessible to residents who either choose not to use the internet or cannot access digital services.
Councillors point to figures showing 28,617 telephone bookings were made for visits to Hampshire’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) between May 2024 and April 2025 before the service was withdrawn.
Telephone bookings were removed in October 2025 as part of the council’s wider “digital first” approach, meaning residents must now book online. The authority says visits can be arranged through its website or the “OurHants” app.
However, the motion argues asking relatives, friends or libraries to make bookings has proved “much more inconvenient” for people who are not online. It also cites Age UK’s campaign for public services to provide affordable and accessible offline alternatives.
If approved, the motion would ask the executive member responsible for universal services to either remove the booking requirement at certain times or restore a simple telephone booking option “to preserve the principle of inclusivity for all”.
It would also call on the council leader and executive member for corporate services to ensure other council services do not leave residents digitally excluded.
At the time, the decision report said that maintaining a phone service would require costly upgrades to ageing payment systems. The council also said developing an in-house alternative was not considered economically viable.
The report acknowledged the changes could have a “low” negative impact on some vulnerable residents, including older people, disabled residents and those living in areas with poor internet access.
However, they said support would be available through libraries, an accessible website and specialist communication services.
The motion will be considered by councillors at the full county council meeting on October 1.