Wherever possible, please use your kerbside collections. This is the most convenient way to dispose of your household waste and recycling.
All recycling centres are operating in line with normal health and safety rules at maximum capacity. Users are not permitted to unload their vehicle whilst queuing and will be allowed on site in order of arrival.
Essex County Council (ECC) recycling centres are licenced by the Environment Agency and are for household waste only. Limits apply on DIY and construction waste. Business, trade and commercial waste is not accepted at any ECC recycling centre. Find out more about disposing of business and trade waste.
CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) is in operation at the sites for the purpose of crime prevention and public safety. Details of vehicles may be recorded for monitoring purposes.
* Residents from nearby areas in Suffolk or Hertfordshire can also visit the sites. This is thanks to reciprocal partnerships with Suffolk County Council and Hertfordshire County Council allowing cross-border use.
The following items can be taken to any ECC recycling centre as long as they are from your own household:
Items containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as sofas and chairs, are accepted at all recycling centres. In line with guidance from the Environment Agency, a separate container is provided to ensure the correct disposal of these items. Please speak to site staff if you are unsure where to deposit items.
There are two types of Essex County Council recycling centre, large recycling centres and small recycling centres. Large and small recycling centres have different vehicle and site restrictions, please read the following information before visiting any recycling centre.
The following recycling centres are classed as large recycling centres:
Vans (under 3,500kg / 3.5 tonnes) will be accepted at large recycling centres with a valid booking if they are carrying your own household waste. You are required to make a booking in advance if visiting a site in a van, pick-up or vehicle towing a large trailer. Please check what Essex County Council defines as a van, pick-up or large trailer. Site staff may stop you at the gate to ensure the waste you are carrying has come from your household.
From 13 March 2023 you will need to book a slot to visit any Essex County Council Recycling Centre in any vehicle.
Book your recycling centre visit
Large recycling centres accept small quantities of some DIY and construction waste, providing you have completed the work yourself and it is from your own household.
In any 28-day period you may not exceed each of the following:
In any 6-month period you may not exceed each of the following:
Any vehicle that is over 3,500 kg (3.5 tonnes), agricultural vehicles, horse boxes/trailers and tipping flatbeds are not accepted at any of the recycling centres in Essex.
The following recycling centres are classed as small recycling centres:
Small recycling centres do not accept any vans (including car derived vans, pick-ups, trucks) or any towed trailer with more than one axle. This rule excludes Blue Badge holders who are permitted to visit any Essex recycling centre in a van. Please check what Essex County Council defines as a van, pick-up or large trailer. Vehicles that are not permitted, cannot park outside the site and carry waste into any recycling centre.
From 13 March 2023 you will need to book a slot to visit any Essex County Council Recycling Centre in any vehicle.
Book your recycling centre visit
DIY and construction waste are not permitted at any small recycling centre. This includes soil, hardcore, plasterboard, tiles, any element of a built-in bathroom or kitchen. This restriction does not currently apply to Rayleigh Recycling Centre which is able to accept small quantities of DIY and construction waste. Please see Rayleigh Recycling Centre page for more information.
The following items cannot be taken to any ECC recycling centre. You must arrange a separate collection or disposal of these items.
Find out how to correctly dispose of household hazardous waste in Essex.
To ensure your visit to any recycling centre is as quick and easy as possible, please be aware of the following:
Members of site staff are there to advise you, please note that aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated. For any accessibility queries please ask a member of site staff for advice.
Once items are deposited in a container, they cannot be removed. Please donate items in a reusable condition, before visiting a recycling centre.
Find your nearest recycling centre