Recycling centres (tips)

Check how busy your recycling centre is

Check the map or table below for an indication of how busy your local recycling centre is before you set off. You can also see whether the recycling centre is open or closed.

Where a recycling centre has a red dot, this indicates a 30 minute waiting time or more (you can click on the dot to see this). We recommend that you postpone your trip - or visit another recycling centre close by.

Please note that this map is updated on an hourly basis.

Map legend

 Currently no queues
 10-30 minutes estimated waiting time
 30 minutes plus waiting time
 Closed - out of hours
 Emergency closure

Our centres are for our residents only

Please be aware that only those residents living in the Durham County Council area are permitted to use our household waste recycling centres. You may be asked to produce proof of address when visiting.

County Durham residents are not permitted to use recycling centres in bordering counties and so this new guidance brings us in line with other local councils.

There are exceptions such as those who are taking rubbish for family members who live in the Durham County Council area. Please Contact Customer Services if you think you are exempt.

What you can dispose of at a recycling centre

Household waste

Recycling centres are for household waste only. You can take the following items to most of our recycling centres but please check your local site before you set off:

• soil and rubble
• wood and plasterboard (no wood treated with hazardous materials such as railway sleepers and no painted commercial heavy-duty pallets )
• garden waste
• scrap metal
• gas bottles
• waste oil and car batteries
• tyres (maximum of 5 tyres)
• household batteries
• TV's and monitors
• fridges and electrical appliances
• fluorescent light tubes
• paper and cardboard ( only wrapping paper and card without foil and glitter can be recycled)
• cans and glass
• batteries
• plastics and cartons
• textiles and shoes
• cooking oil
• general waste and carpets (accepted on site, but not separated for recycling)
• asbestos, household and garden chemicals (permit required)
• vapes and e-cigarette canisters (all sites except Frosterley)
• medical equipment (We only accept prescribed Medequip labelled equipment that is no longer needed - drop off in the blue amnesty bin.)
• Coffee pods - at Horden, Potterhouse, Tudhoe and Stainton Grove. Separate aluminium and plastic and drop loose into the correct container. 

Cat litter, human and animal poo: this 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.

Staff on site may ask you about the type and quantity of waste you are disposing of if they think it could be business or landlord waste.

Hazardous waste

You can take chemicals (eg bleach), gloss or lead based paints or sprays, or asbestos to Annfield Plain, Horden, Romanway and Tudhoe recycling centres. Before you set off you must apply for a waste permit for household hazardous waste.

Waste from allotments

Waste from allotments is classed as commercial waste which means it is illegal to dispose of it at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (tip). See Commercial and trade waste services we offer for more information.

Business and landlord waste

It is against the law for waste from businesses and landlords to be disposed of at a recycling centre. Also see Commercial and trade waste services we offer to see how you can dispose of your waste.

Visiting the site

Only certain types of vehicles can enter a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

Vehicles not allowed at our sites

• livestock carrying vehicles or agricultural vehicles
• vehicles with a flat bed
• trailers greater than 3 metres long (9 feet 10 inches) including the hitch
• vehicles greater than 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW)
• vehicles longer than 6 metres (19 feet 8 inches)
• any vehicle with commercial or trade waste

Do you need a permit?

There are some instances where you will need a permit:

• 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.
• Chemicals and hazardous materials like paint, asbestos and bleach must be disposed of carefully - apply for a waste permit for household hazardous waste

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.