Reciprocal agreements between Essex County Council and Hertfordshire County Council, enabling residents to access recycling services, are being maintained.
This agreement follows Hertfordshire County Council's announcement earlier in the year that they would adopt a policy restricting access non-residents at the county's network of 16 recycling centres.
Uttlesford residents would therefore be unable to access Bishop's Stortford Recycling Centre, even if it was their nearest facility.
The two local authorities have now reached a reciprocal agreement to allow residents to retain access.
As of Friday, December 1, Essex residents will need a digital permit to access recycling centres in Herts - and will only be able to use the centres in Bishop's Stortford, Hoddesdon, Turnford and Ware.
Hertfordshire residents wishing to use Essex recycling centres will need to make a booking in advance.
To register for an instant, annual permit free of charge, Essex residents can go to www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/recyclingcentrepermits.
Both Essex and Herts residents will need to book to use Essex Recycling Centres, which can be done at www.loveessex.org/bookings.
Councillor Peter Schwier, Essex County Council’s climate czar and cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said: "The council is committed to minimising the impact on the environment by supporting residents to reduce waste and increase the amounts recycled, so I’m pleased that we have been able to come to an agreement that enables residents from both counties to continue to be able to use a recycling centre that is close to where they live.
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"Supporting residents to recycle as much as possible, as easily as they can, is key to our ambition to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for Essex by 2050 and helping our communities and natural environment adapt and thrive as the climate changes."
Similar reciprocal arrangements have also been established at neighbouring authorities.
Councillor Eric Buckmaster, executive member for the environment at Hertfordshire County Council, said: "Like many other council-run services, our recycling centres are experiencing additional costs and it is only prudent that we look at all possible forms of mitigation for Hertfordshire taxpayers who are currently paying for waste being produced outside of Hertfordshire."
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