Check-in system introduced at Swindon’s HWRC

Residents will now be emailed a QR code when they book an appointment at the HWRC, which will allow them to check-in themselves when they arrive on site for their appointment.

The QR code can either be displayed on people’s phones or it can be printed out and should be scanned at the kiosk to open the automated barrier at the entrance to the site.

This is part of improvements being made by Swindon Borough Council to ensure the HWRC and the associated booking system is modern, efficient and effective.

In line with the changes, manual checks will no longer be carried out when residents arrive on site for their bookings and Swindon residents will not be required to bring a proof of address to the HWRC.

If a resident is unable to bring their QR code at their required booking slot, or they booked an appointment via the Council’s Customer Services, there will be an intercom on the kiosk that they can press and a member of staff will be able to help.

Any customers who booked their slot ahead of the changes will be sent a QR code via email, on the day of their visit.

In response to feedback from residents, the opening hours on site have been extended to accommodate more people. The HWRC is now open until 8pm every Tuesday and Thursday evening for pre-booked appointments. This means an additional 560 car and 84 van slots are now available every week.

Councillor Kevin Parry, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Service Delivery, Waste and Transport, said: “The new check-in system is a really exciting development for the Council and places us at the forefront of digital innovation in the public sector. This new system will remove manual intervention at site, allow us to understand how our residents are using the HWRC and enable us to make data-driven decisions that benefit both residents and the service.

“We have received really positive feedback since the booking system was first introduced last year and I’m confident that this new check-in system will help to streamline the process even further.

 “I would like to reassure residents that provision is still available for households without digital access so that they can make use of the HWRC too. Our Customer Services team are on hand to take bookings over the phone and an intercom has been installed on site so that residents can talk to a member of staff if they need any help.”

Restrictions around the number of appointments residents can book each month have been removed and customers can cancel or amend their booking at any time via the Council’s website. By cancelling or amending slots that are no longer needed, it means these slots will be made available in real time for other residents looking to book an appointment.

People can book an appointment for the Household Waste Recycling Centre at: www.swindon.gov.uk/hwrc