New materials being accepted at some Household Waste Recovery Centres
27 Jun 2025
UPVC window frames, door frames and guttering now being accepted at some Household Waste Recovery Centres.
From Friday 27th June two Northumberland Household Waste Recovery Centres (HWRC’s) will be able to accept UPVC as part of a trial that will last six months.
The sites that will be accepting UPVC are: Bebside (Blyth) and North Seaton (Ashington). Further sites will also be able to accept UPVC material in due course.
During the trial period, staff will be keeping count of the amount of UPVC being brought to the site. This is to monitor the volume sites are receiving, to gauge whether accepting this material for recycling long-term, at all sites, will be beneficial and further improve Northumberland's recycling rate.
Northumberland County Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Environment and Rural said: “As a county, we are constantly striving to increase the volume of materials that can be recycled, both at home and at our Household Waste Recovery Centres.
“This trial will mark yet another opportunity for the county to reduce our carbon emissions. Additionally, recycling UPVC helps to prevent the number of plastics that end up in landfill each year.”
Although UPVC is currently accepted at all HWRC’s, it is sadly disposed of as general waste. It is hoped that the introduction of the trial will divert this material away from landfill, offering residents a broader range of recycling streams.
When UPVC goes to landfill, it can take hundreds of years to decompose, releasing harmful chemicals in the process.
Household Waste Recovery Centres are to be used by Northumberland residents only. The UPVC allowance, therefore, applies to DIY projects and not tradespeople. Staff on site will be vigilant, and any breaches of this policy may lead to a site ban.
For more information about Northumberland’s Household Waste Recovery Centre’s, including, locations, opening times and what materials can be accepted, go to: https://beta.northumberland.gov.uk/bins-recycling-waste/household-waste-recovery-centres-tip