Recycling centres (tips)

You do not need to book an appointment to use one of our tips. Please follow government guidance when visiting our sites and be aware that there may be long wait times. 

Sites are reviewed every day and the service will only continue to be provided if this is considered safe, both for the public, and for people working at the site. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for updates.

We've implemented the following to keep you safe:

• There is a limit on the number of cars on each site, which means that you may have to queue outside the site before you're allowed to enter. We will be monitoring this queue and working with the police to ensure that traffic levels remain safe. You may even be turned away if the queues are too long and asked to return another time when it is safe to do so.
• We're expecting queues to be longest between 9.00am and 11.00am, so you may want to visit on an afternoon.
• We're not able to give assistance on site at this time. If you're bringing a heavy item to the tip, which takes two people to lift it into your vehicle at home, those two people will be required on site to lift it out.

Please ensure that you:

• wash hands before and after your visit
• keep 2m apart

We offer assistance with heavy items to the elderly and disabled at all sites. Ask a member of staff on site for assistance.

Find your nearest tip

Use our postcode lookup below to find your nearest tip.

• Recycling centres
• What can you dispose of at a HWRC?
• Do you need a permit?
• Recycling centres on a map

Recycling centres 

• Annfield Plain
• Coxhoe
• Frosterley
• Heighington
• Hett Hills
• Horden
• Middleton-in-Teesdale
• Potterhouse Lane (Pity Me)
• Romanway
• Seaham
• Stainton Grove (Barnard Castle)
• Thornley
• Tudhoe

What you can dispose of at a recycling centre

Recycling centres are for household waste only. Staff on site may ask you about the type and quantity of waste you are disposing of, if they believe it may be business or landlord waste.

Download Household Waste Recycling Centre information (PDF, 317.9kb)  to see a full list of what can be disposed of at each site. If you want to get rid of trade or commercial waste, please see Commercial and trade waste services we offer.

Please note: only wrapping paper and card without foil and glitter can be recycled at HWRCs.

Do you need a permit?

Yes, there are some instances where you will need a permit.

Vehicles that need a permit to enter the recycling centre

Only certain types of vehicles can enter a recycling centre. Find out if your vehicle is ok and, if not, how to apply for a garden and household waste permit.

Household hazardous waste

Chemicals and hazardous materials like paint, asbestos and bleach must be disposed of carefully. Find out more about household hazardous waste and how to apply for a hazardous waste permit.

Cat litter, human and animal poo: you do not need a permit for this, but it must be double bagged, sealed and separate from other rubbish for health and safety reasons, or we can't accept it. You must tell staff if you have this waste and they will direct you where to put it.

Business and landlord waste

It is against the law for waste from businesses and landlords to be disposed of at a recycling centre. The staff on site regularly monitor the type and quantity of residents' waste and anyone believed to be disposing of trade waste will be asked to provide further information.

Personal data

HWRCs do not offer secure data removal or confidentiality of data, therefore it is your responsibility to ensure your data is removed before depositing any item for recycling or reuse. Items include electronic and mobile devices as well as paper documents.

Recycling centres on a map

See all of our recycling centres on a map