Where to take your waste and recycling

Here you will find details of where you can take your waste and recycling. You can check opening times for household waste recovery centres (tips), and apply for a waste permit.

Page Contents:

Household Waste Recovery Centres (HWRCs)

There are 12 HWRCs across the county where you can take your household waste. Waste recovery centres are more commonly known as ‘tips’.

Quick links:


Site rules

To reduce risk of spreading COVID-19, residents are asked to respect staff and other users:
  • Practice social distancing measures at all times (by both staff and visitors).
  • Do not attend the site if you have been asked to self-isolate due to having/or having had possible COVID-19 symptoms.
  • If any households have had COVID-19 symptoms, then the waste should be left for 72 hours before being brought to site. Waste should be doubled bagged.
  • If you are using the site and don't require a permit, you may be asked to show proof that you live in Northumberland. If asked, you will need to provide evidence from a utility or council tax bill, or any other item that shows you are a resident of Northumberland. Please have these items to hand when you visit.
  • If you are using the HWRC sites under the permit scheme, you will be required to bring photo ID, such as a driving license, and proof of residency, such as a utility or council tax bill. 
  • If you are a blue badge holder and don't have help, the attendant will assist upon request.
Sites can accept
  • bagged general household waste
  • garden waste
  • cardboard
  • glass bottles
  • TVs
  • small electrical appliances
  • wood
  • carpets
  • bulky items of household waste such as old furniture.
  • mattresses
  • scrap metal
  • beverage and drinks cartons eg Tetrapacks
  • comingled materials eg paper, card, plastic bottles, aluminium & steel cans
  • fluorescent tubes
  • batteries - household and vehicle.
  • Construction waste, such as soil, rubble and plasterboard (disposal fees apply - credit card payments only)
  • All white goods (provided they can be carried by one person)
  • Compost sales have now resumed, where applicable (credit card payments only)
  • used engine oil and gas cylinders
These site rules apply to all residents visiting any of our HWRCs at all times.

Opening times

HWRC Site                                        Opening Hours
Alnwick
Bebside
Berwick
Hexham
Morpeth
North Seaton
Prudhoe (West Wylam)		 Monday - Sunday: 8am to 6pm
Allendale
Haltwhistle
Kirkley West Thorn
North Sunderland
Wooler		 Friday - Monday: 8am to 6pm
(Closed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday)




PLEASE NOTE:

  • All of our HWRCs (tips) are closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. 
  • Some tips may close early or open late due to adverse weather conditions. Please check our council alerts page for more updates.
  • Periodically, the tips will be temporarily closed for container exchange. Your patience is appreciated during these times.


Before travelling to a HWRC (tip)

Before travelling to HWRC (tip), you should think about the following:
  • making use of retailer take-back services or making your old items available for immediate re-use via on-line platforms. Make sure you follow social distancing and related guidance and that it is safe for you to move the items in question
  • checking the Reuse Network website to see if there are options available for small businesses or charities in your area to mend or repurpose your furniture and appliances. This may also be a good opportunity to repair, repurpose or re-use items such as old furniture or clothes yourself which you would usually throw away
  • alternatively, you could use a private registered waste collection company, although there will be a cost if you do this. Remember, you have a duty to make sure you know where your waste is going and to ensure that the person collecting your waste is registered. You can do this by checking the Environment Agency’s website.

Your questions answered

Which documents do I need?

If you are using the HWRC sites under the permit scheme, you will be required to bring photo ID, such as a driving license, and proof of residency, such as a utility or council tax bill. 
 
If you are using the site and don't require a permit, you may be asked to show proof that you live in Northumberland. If asked, you will need to provide evidence from a utility or council tax bill, or any other item that shows you are a resident of Northumberland. Please have these items to hand when you visit.


How long will these restrictions be in place for?

We must all continue to adhere to the continuing advice from the Government to slow the spread of Coronavirus. It is really important that we all pratice social distancing at all times. To do this at HWRCs (tips), we must limit the number of residents on site at any one time and the types of containers that are available to use. We will continue to follow advice from the Government and review the practices at the Household Waste Recovery Centres in order that staff and residents stay safe.


We live in Northumberland but our postcode is Cumbria - will we still be able to visit Northumberland tips?

HWRC operatives have been provided with a list of postcodes relevant to Northumberland residents, so a Cumbria postcode whilst paying Council tax to Northumberland County Council will allow you access to the HWRC facilities.
 

Tip locations

Address: Plot B, Lionheart Enterprise Park, Alnwick, NE66 2HT. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 

 

There is no access for pedestrians at this site.
Address: Front Street, Bebside, Northumberland, NE24 4HN. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 

 
Address: Ramparts Business Park, Berwick, TD15 1UN. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400
There is no access for pedestrians at this site.

Address: Town Foot, Haltwhistle, NE49 0ET. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 

There is no access for pedestrians at this site.
Address: French Garden Industrial Estate, Hexham, NE46 4DL. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 


There is no access for pedestrians at this site.
Address: near Ponteland - please turn off the A696 at the Catch Seafood restaurant, where signposted to the household waste recovery centre. Please use postcode NE20 0DH for locating by sat nav. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 


There is no access for pedestrians at this site.
Address: Morpeth, NE61 3AB. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 


There is no access for pedestrians at this site.
Address: North Seaton Industrial Estate, Ashington, NE63 0YB. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400

 

Address: near Seahouses, NE68 7UP. Please click here for a location map.

Phone: 0345 600 6400 

 


There is no access for pedestrians at this site.

Local recycling points

Recycling points are small collection points where you can recycle things like glass bottles, jars, shoes, and clothes. There are more than 170 locations across Northumberland.

Please click here to find your local recycling point.

 

Report a problem at a local recycling point:

Household waste permits

Any one household is allowed a maximum of 12 permits per year.

This information was last updated 12 April 2021.

New household waste permit scheme is now available.
 
When the HWRCs re-opened in May 2020, the scheme remained unavailable due to Covid-19 restrictions. The scheme has been reintroduced and in effect since 26 October 2020.
 

Apply for a permit 

The permit scheme is available for application online only through our new online booking system. You can no longer apply for a permit via the phone.
 

Apply for a permit and book your slot at the tip here.
 

Please note: 
  • Any permit obtained before the pandemic is no longer valid. Please do not attempt to access a site with an old-style permit. 
  • There is no exchange or refund option available for HWRC (tip) permit applications should you be unable to attend as per your booking, regardless of circumstance and there are no exceptions to this rule. Customers will have to go back online and book another slot, which will be taken off their annual allowance of 12 permits.  
 

Availability 

To manage demand and increased offloading times, you will need to book a time and date slot before visiting the tip. The online booking form below will show you available slots.
 
You MUST book 48 hours in advance of your visit, so please plan your journey ahead of time. 

 

Who requires a permit? 

Vans, trailers, single-cab pickup trucks and 4 x 4s require a permit to attend our HWRCs. Click here to see exact specifications.
 
Private use domestic cars, including people carriers, twin cab pick-ups, SUV’s and campervans with windows and seats in the rear do not require a permit and do not require a booking via the online form. 

Number of permits

  • Although you are allocated 12 permits per annum, for accuracy only 1 permit can be applied for at one time. 
  • A maximum of 3 permits can be applied for per 7 days. 
  • Only household waste is permitted. Commercial or trade waste of any sort cannot be taken to the HWRC. 
  • If the permit is not used or you fail to attend your chosen time slot, please note the permit cannot be reallocated to your yearly or 7-day allowance. 
  • Your annual allocation of 12 permits was reset on 26 October 2020. 

 

Using the online form 

Apply for a permit and book your slot at the tip here.
 

You will need to provide: 
  • Your address and the address from which the household waste is coming from 
  • Answers to questions about your vehicle size and weight 
  • Your vehicle registration number, make and model 
  • An email address for confirmation of your booking 
  • The site, day and time you want to visit 
  • Contact information (name and email address) 
  • What waste you are bringing to the site 

 

Visting the tip with a new permit 

Booking confirmation required 
You will need to provide evidence of your booking and proof of ID – driving licence preferable - when you arrive. Vehicles that require a permit will be turned away if they cannot provide evidence of their booking information. 
 
Permits can only be received via email. The booking form will ask you to provide your email address, and confirmation of your booking will be sent to you via email. If you have smartphone, you can display the email at the site instead of printing the email. 

Misuse of permit scheme
Fraudulent use of the permit system will result in residents being barred from using the service.  For example, misuse of address or vehicle information and attempted use of the HWRC to deposit trade waste. 
 
Respect our staff 
Waste staff have the right to refuse entry into a site, and their decision is final. No abuse toward staff and crew will be tolerated. Action will be taken in instances of inappropriate or abusive behaviour toward staff.  

Does your vehicle require a permit?

Vehicle/User Category No permit required Permit required No access to HWRC permitted
Private use domestic car, including people carriers, twin cab pick-ups, SUV’s and campervans with windows and seats in the rear. X    
Adapted disability vehicle (with blue badge)  X    
Trailer / Horse Box  5ft (1.52m) or shorter  X    
Vehicles up to 3.5 GVW with the exception of box vans   X  
Trailer  / Horse Box more than 5ft but no longer than 9ft 10 (3m) long   X  
Single cab pick-up truck or 4 x 4 with no rear seats and no rear windows or with removable or canvas canopy    X  
Trailer  / Horse Box more than 9ft 10 (3M)     X
Vehicle more than 4 wheels (incl double wheel base)     X
Any GVW Flatbed / Tipper truck / Box van     X
Any Vehicle > 3.5 Tonnes GVW     X
Tractor or other agricultural vehicle      X


Where are the trailer measurements taken from?
The length is measured from the foremost point of the trailer hitch to the rear extremity of the trailer body.

What can I recycle at a HWRC?

Our sites can accept:

  • bagged general household waste
  • garden waste
  • wood
  • bulky items of household waste such as old furniture
  • cardboard
  • glass bottles
  • TVs
  • small electrical appliances (e.g. hair dryers, vacuum cleaners)
  • carpets
  • mattresses
  • scrap metal
  • beverage and drinks cartons eg Tetrapacks
  • comingled materials eg paper, card, plastic bottles, aluminium & steel cans
  • fluorescent tubes
  • batteries - household and vehicle
  • construction waste, such as soil, rubble and plasterboard (disposal fees apply - credit card payments only)
  • compost sales have now resumed, where applicable (credit card payments only).
  • all white goods (provided they can be carried by one person)
  • used engine oil and gas cylinders
A helpful guide on what goes in the rigid plastic container

DIY waste

Find out about DIY waste and Pay-as-you-throw.

Due to the increase in waste which has been generated following Storm Arwen, residents visiting our Household Waste Recovery Centres (tips) will not be charged for bringing small amounts of DIY waste between 1 Dec 2021 and 31 January 2022.

Please present your bagged DIY waste to the attendant as usual.

The van and trailer permit system remains in place. Please remember the HWRC service is not open to traders who should use a skip or private waste disposal site as normal.

Households may also only dispose of up to six cubic yards of DIY waste per household in one year. This rule applies to all types of vehicles and trailers and all types of DIY waste including; rubble, tiles, slates, laminate flooring, garden sheds, bathroom and kitchen fittings, and window frames.

For further information about what you can take to the HWRC click here and learn about the permit scheme by clicking here

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