Introduction
Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) are provided for North Yorkshire residents to re-use, recycle, compost or dispose of their own household waste. This guidance describes what types of waste you can deliver to the sites, what is expected of customers and the requirements for customers wanting to deliver:
- household waste
- hazardous waste
- waste on behalf of family, friends or neighbours
- commercial and other non-household waste such as vehicle tyres and waste from improvements, repairs and alterations to homes and gardens
- waste from charities and voluntary groups
To reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal, you should separate it prior to your visit and place it in the appropriate re-use, recycling or composting container. Be aware of your own and others’ health and safety and follow instructions given by staff and on signs, notices or markings. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Deliver your waste in something that you can lift into the opening of the appropriate container; please do not shovel waste into the container. ANPR and CCTV systems are in place for your safety and security, and to help with complaints or disputes.
Ownership of waste passes to the council when you deposit your waste. Please be aware that once you have handed your waste to staff or placed your waste into a container it may be sorted so we can reduce what we send for disposal (we do not operate a confidential waste service).
If you need help, please ask site staff, but you may have to wait at busy times.
Do you need to register to use HWRCs?
You may need to register the vehicle you use to deliver your waste, depending on what type of vehicle it is. We are also unable to allow certain types of vehicles into HWRCs at all, because they are too big and would be dangerous or inconvenient to other users. A list of these vehicle types are shown in the table below.
North Yorkshire residents who want to deliver their household waste to Stokesley HWRC without being charged need to display a HWRC permit.
If you are a commercial customer you do not need to register with us but you will be charged for your waste.
All charities and voluntary groups wishing to use the HWRCs must be registered.
| Vehicle | Do I need to register |
|---|---|
| Vehicles above 3.5 tonnes gross weight and any agricultural vehicles | Not permitted |
| Vehicles delivering commercial waste… even a car | No, but you will be charged |
| Vehicles delivering waste from a charity or voluntary group | Yes |
| Residents using a car/estate/people carrier 4x4 or a camper van to deliver household waste, providing the vehicle does not appear to be used for a trade/business or commercial purpose | No |
| Residents using a commercial or commercial like vehicle to deliver household waste e.g. any vehicle that appears to/could be used for a trade / business or commercial purpose such as a van, pickup, flat bed, land rover with a cargo area or similar vehicle | Yes |
You will be unable to use Wombleton HWRC if you use a commercial or commercial like vehicle that is larger than 4.9M long or 2.1M high or if you intend to use a trailer of any size
Residents – how to register
If you use a commercial or commercial like vehicle to deliver your household waste, you need to register.
If you are delivering your own household waste in your own commercial or commercial like vehicle, or a commercial or commercial like vehicle that you have permission and are insured to use for your own domestic purposes, you need to prove that you are resident in North Yorkshire. You can do this by uploading a digital copy of an official document for the address you are registering from, for example a copy of your vehicle registration document (V5), your driving licence, council tax bill, bank statement or a copy of a utility bill dated within the last six months. We will send you a commercial/ commercial like vehicle pass to display in your vehicle windscreen. If you are required to register with us to use HWRCs and are not displaying a commercial/commercial like vehicle pass you may be unable to use the sites or may be charged. Please let us know if you no longer use a vehicle you have registered with us.
If you dispose of waste for which a charge is made, without payment, or are not registered with us and dispose of charity waste at one of our HWRCs, you will be trespassing and we may recover the costs from you for dealing with your waste.
How to register to use a hired or borrowed vehicle
To obtain temporary registration to use a hired or borrowed vehicle to deliver household waste you need to complete a household waste declaration form (available from the site office) and provide a copy of an official document, which identifies you as a resident of North Yorkshire. If the vehicle is hired you must also show a copy of the hire agreement including your address, to site staff. All documents must contain the same address details.
If the vehicle is borrowed you should ensure you have permission and are insured to use the vehicle for your own domestic purposes.
Residents who want to use Stokesley HWRC
North Yorkshire residents who want to use Stokesley HWRC will need to display a HWRC Permit.
If you need to use the Stokesley HWRC and do not have a HWRC Permit see further information. To register to use Stokesley HWRC contact us using any of the contact points listed on this page. Residents using a commercial/commercial like vehicle do not need a HWRC permit to use Stokesley HWRC, but need to display a commercial/commercial like vehicle pass. Non-residents can still use the site but will have to pay to do so.
Charities – how to register
If you are a charity or voluntary group and want to deliver your charity waste register using the link to deliver waste from a charity. Please read section 5 for further requirements.
Other types of waste
1. DIY waste
We have no legal responsibility to accept non-household items and items such as vehicle tyres which you will need to pay to dispose of.
Residents can dispose of waste created by their own DIY projects for free but there are size and limitations to the amount that can be brought in.
The following items can be brought in once a week only:
One item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm (bath / shower screen size) or less than 100 litres (to fit in the two bags at the HWRC which are for reference purposes only - we do not supply these bags)
- hardcore, bricks, rubble and tarmac, including plasterboard and gypsum items, slate, stone, soil, clay, turf, gravel and pebbles
- concrete, including breeze blocks, paving slabs, lintels, mortar and rendering, mixed or powdered cement or cement board
- glass, including shower screens, plate and sheet glass, tiles, furniture shelving, table tops
- pottery and ceramics, including baths, toilets, bidets, shower trays, sinks
- sand, including sharp sand, play pit sand and sand from sandbags used as flood protection
On arrival on site and before emptying your vehicle you will need to see a member of staff to complete a household waste DIY declaration form to confirm that the waste has been produced by your own work and not from any work for which a payment has been made or is to be made.
Any additional DIY waste to the terms above will need to be paid for, this should be agreed with a member of staff before deposit.
If you empty your vehicle without reporting to site staff, it will be assumed that your vehicle was full and you will be charged the maximum disposal rate for your vehicle. All payments must be made via debit or credit card. No cash or cheques will be accepted.
These wastes should be placed into the designated ‘hardcore and rubble’, ‘plasterboard’ and ‘tyre’ containers/ designated areas which will be marked with the signs shown below. This is so these materials can be recycled, or in the case of plasterboard, disposed of safely. If these wastes are mistakenly placed in any other container a charge will still be made.
What happens if I can’t pay?
If you are unable to pay you will be asked to leave the site with your waste and to return later with a means of payment. You will not be allowed to dispose of any chargeable materials unless you can pay. You will be allowed to dispose of any household waste free of charge.
What if I don’t want to pay?
If you don’t want to pay you will be unable to dispose of any chargeable materials at the HWRC and will have to use another disposal option.
2. Non-household wastes we do not charge for (Asbestos)
Other waste, from improvements, repairs and alterations are also non-household wastes which we also have no legal responsibility to accept. However we do offer a discretionary service for these wastes currently without charge to residents.
Residents can dispose of cement bonded asbestos at the HWRCs indicated in the table opposite. The cement bonded asbestos must be double bagged or wrapped in two layers of thick plastic and all joints and openings must be securely sealed with strong tape. Contact us before setting off from home if you are delivering more than ten sheets of cement bonded asbestos (approx. size 1.8M x 1.2M per sheet) to ensure space is available in the container. This council cannot give advice on whether you have cement bonded asbestos or not; you need to contact a specialist if you are unsure.
We do not accept commercial or charity cement bonded asbestos.
HWRCs accepting Cement Bonded Asbestos (residents only)
- Harrogate West
- Malton and Norton
- Northallerton
- Seamer Carr
- Selby
- Skipton
- Whitby
We accept other types of waste that are created from improvements, repairs and alterations to a home or domestic property by residents free of charge, where the amounts are what we would expect from normal DIY activities.
This includes:
- fitted kitchens
- bathroom cabinets
- central heating boilers
- fencing
- insulation
- water tanks
- window frames, doors etc.
If the quantities and frequency with which they are taken to a HWRC is thought to be excessive you may be asked to confirm where the waste has come from.
3. Hazardous waste
Residents can use the designated containers/areas for fridges and freezers, televisions, fluorescent tubes, batteries and used engine oils that may contain some hazardous materials.
Residents can also dispose of their car chemicals, garden chemicals, household cleaning products, household chemicals, paints, thinners and wood preservatives. The majority of these can be disposed of within the waste for energy recovery container. If you have no use for these items, please pass them on to someone who can use them. See examples of hazardous waste.
You will need to ensure your waste is contained in a suitable sealed container. Tins, bottles and sprays etc. must be firmly secured to prevent leakages. If paint is still in a very liquid condition you will need to harden it before disposal. You can buy a paint hardener, or add sawdust, sand or soil to the tin and leave the lid off until the paint becomes solid and dry (please check to make sure it’s fully hardened). Refit the lid prior to taking your waste for disposal.
If you are disposing of fuels please ask site staff to open the Hazardous Chemicals store for you. You will need to provide and dispose of your fuel in a 5 litre (or less) container that meets the requirements of Schedule 3 of The Petroleum (Consolidation) Regulations 2014.
If you have a mercury thermometer please ask site staff to open the Hazardous Chemicals store for you. You will need to provide and dispose of your thermometer in a secure plastic container.
We do not accept commercial or charity hazardous waste. This must be disposed of through a private licensed contractor.
4. Delivering waste on behalf of family, friends or neighbours
You are allowed to use HWRCs to dispose of waste belonging to a neighbour, family member or friend who is a resident of North Yorkshire providing you do not advertise the service or receive payment in connection with the waste. You must complete a household waste declaration form (available from the site office). Contact us using the details shown at the end of this leaflet if you need advice about delivering someone else’s waste.
5. Waste from charities and voluntary organisations
Any vehicle used to deliver waste from a charity, community group, voluntary group or religious premises, must be registered with us, and a charity vehicle pass must be displayed. You need to register to deliver waste from a charity. You have to show that you are not acting for commercial gain by uploading details of your registration as a charity, or a signed copy of your constitution. If you are acting as a charity but are not registered with the charity commission, you must provide details of your exemption or exception from registration as a charity. You must also upload a letterhead for your organisation with your HWRC registration form.
We do not accept the following types of waste from a charity: animal carcasses/excrement, scrap vehicles/ caravans/boats etc., asbestos, any waste classified as hazardous (Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005) including any waste electronic or electrical equipment that is hazardous or excessive/large amounts of any waste where it detracts from the service provided to householders.
If you take waste to one of our HWRCs on behalf of a charity or other voluntary/ community group, you must:
- report to site staff, before emptying your vehicle
- present your waste carrier licence and complete a Controlled Waste Transfer Note
- separate your re-usable/ recyclable waste - if you are unable to separate your waste you will be charged for the disposal of your waste at the commercial disposal rate
- pay for vehicle tyres
- indemnify the council against liability arising from your actions whilst on site
Please be aware that if the site is busy you may be unable to dispose of your waste and asked to return at a less busy time. Charity waste is not accepted Sundays or Bank Holidays. (Note: HWRCs are closed on Wednesdays). If you are not registered with us to deliver charity waste and dispose of waste at one of our HWRCs you will be charged for the cost for dealing with your waste.
6. Delivering commercial waste
All of our Household Waste Recycling Centres, except for Harrogate Stonefall, accept commercial waste. Commercial waste is any waste from a commercial organisation, a business, a trade, a person’s employment, a landlord, a village hall, an educational establishment or a holiday caravan. We charge for the disposal of commercial waste.
To encourage re-use, recycling and composting some commercial wastes are accepted at a reduced charge and some may be accepted free of charge. Current charges are available at each household waste recycling centre or on the commercial waste disposal and charges page.
We do not accept the following commercial waste: animal carcasses/ excrement, scrap vehicles/ caravans/boats etc., asbestos, any waste classified as hazardous (Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005) including any waste electronic or electrical equipment that is hazardous or excessive/large amounts of commercial waste where it detracts from the service provided to householders.
If you take any commercial waste to one of the HWRCs you must:
before emptying your vehicle agree with a member of staff the type and amount of waste you have. This will determine how much you will have to pay. If you empty your vehicle without reporting to site staff, it will be assumed that your vehicle was full and you will be charged the maximum disposal rate for your vehicle;
- pay on each visit - if you fail to pay you will not be able to dispose of commercial waste
- present your waste carrier licence and complete a Controlled Waste Transfer Note
- if there is a charge for your waste, pay using the methods shown
- indemnify the council against liability as a result of your actions whilst on site
Please be aware that if the site is busy you may be unable to dispose of your commercial waste and asked to return at a less busy time. Commercial waste is not accepted on Sundays or Bank Holidays. All household waste recycling centres are closed on Wednesdays.
Payment method
All payments must be made via debit/credit card. No cash or cheques will be accepted.
What happens if I can’t pay?
If you are unable to pay you will be asked to leave the site with your waste and to return later with a means of payment. You will not be allowed to dispose of any commercial waste materials unless you can pay.
What if I don’t want to pay?
If you don’t want to pay you will be unable to dispose of any commercial waste materials at the HWRC and will have to use another disposal option.
7. Completing a Controlled Waste Transfer Note
It is a legal requirement if you are delivering commercial or charity waste to complete a Controlled Waste Transfer Note, on which you describe the amount and type of waste you are delivering, your name and address, the source of the waste and the transfer/disposal point. Please present your waste carrier licence (see section 8) and complete a Controlled Waste Transfer Note prior to unloading your waste. They are available from the HWRC site office. Please ask if you require assistance. If you do not fully complete a Controlled Waste Transfer Note prior to unloading your waste, it will be treated as commercial waste for disposal and you will be charged a full load. Failure to comply with your duty of care is an offence subject to an unlimited fine if convicted in the Crown Court.
8. Registering as a waste carrier
Any business (including charities and voluntary organisations) transporting waste, whether their own or someone else’s, for free or for profit, must now register as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency in England. Depending on the activity, this registration may be free of charge. When transferring waste you must produce your waste carrier licence and complete documentation (Controlled Waste Transfer Note) including your waste carrier registration number. Register as a waste carrier.
HWRC opening hours
The HWRCs are open at the following times:
| Month(s) | Opens | Closes |
|---|---|---|
| April - September | 8:30am | 5pm |
| October - March | 8:30am | 4pm |
All HWRCs are closed on Wednesdays and on 25 and 26 December and 1 January.
Please allow sufficient time to unload all of your waste from your vehicle before the above closing times.
You will be unable to use Wombleton HWRC if you use a commercial or commercial-like vehicle that is larger than 4.9M long or 2.1M high or if you intend to use a trailer of any size.