RECYCLING centres have resorted to winter opening hours this week with the gates being locked two hours earlier.

Despite falling behind other local authority regions with recycling rates, a decision was made by Scottish Borders Council earlier this year to introduce seasonal opening hours.

From this week, all recycling centres in the Borders will close at 4.45pm instead of 6.45pm.

Councillor Gordon Edgar, spokesman for waste collections, said: “I would like to thank the public for using the community recycling centres so far this year, including the thousands who used the new summer hours to visit after 5pm, when the centres were previously closed.

“While there is a change to the weekday opening hours for winter, weekend hours remain unchanged, with all facilities open Saturdays and Sundays, when demand is higher.

“I would continue to encourage the public play their part and use our community recycling centres to help the environment and public funding, with a huge variety of items being recycled at our centres.”