Richborough Household Waste Recycling Centre has been identified as at risk of closure by Kent County Council. Please sign this petition to demand that KCC withdraws this proposal.

A report submitted to the KCC Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee on 23rd May 2023 identified ways in which the council could achieve revenue savings of £2.2m at the county’s Household Waste Recycling Centres over the next two years. 

These savings are based on options that include the closure of some sites.

We are opposed to the closure or a reduction in services at any of the recycling centres administered by KCC.

A revised set of options were presented to the same committee on 5th July, but it is very clear that KCC are still determined to make the savings they’ve earmarked from the Household Waste Recycle Centres network and the Richborough site remains firmly in their sights as a candidate for closure.

The potential loss of this asset to the community fails to recognise the length of time this site has been available to local residents and the environmental impact of increased fly tipping and extended travel to alternative sites that closure will cause.

By closing the Richborough site, Kent County Council will force Sandwich and district residents to use other sites such as Deal, Dover and Margate.

The report does not explore other options for the Richborough site such as reducing the opening hours or varying the types of materials being disposed of. 

This proposed closure is a short term decision solely based on financial savings that is not in the best interest of Sandwich residents nor recognises the impact on the environment.