Visiting Bristol’s Reuse and Recycling Centres

You can bring hazardous waste, including asbestos, to a Household Reuse and Recycling Centre where we’ll dispose of it safely. We take all typical household hazardous waste, including thermometers, liquids, chemicals, petrol, medicines, paints, flares and gas cannisters.  

Please be aware, our St Philip’s site is currently unable to accept waste motor oil.

Please use the dropdown menus below for details and ensure that you follow health and safety measures to keep yourself and others safe.  

• We can only accept cement-bonded asbestos. 
• All asbestos must be double wrapped in heavy-duty polythene and sealed with tape. We will not accept unwrapped asbestos. 
• Bagged asbestos must not be mixed with any other waste. 

For your safety and the safety of our crews, please follow all health and safety guidance for handling asbestos. For further information go to HSE – Asbestos essentials and Asbestos in buildings.

A sheet of wrapped asbestos counts as a bulky item at Bristol’s Household Reuse and Recycling Centres. Check how much bulky waste you can bring for free each week, plus additional amounts and charges. 

Bristol residents can dispose of some household DIY waste for free at one of our recycling centres.

You can bring up to 1 load per week over a 4-week period of the following:

• up to 100 litres of loose waste, such as rubble or soil. This must be contained within two 50-litre rubble bags (or bags of equivalent size).

OR

• any bulky or fitted item, like a sink or pedestal, no larger than 2m x 0.75m x 0.7m.

Any waste exceeding these allowances will be charged at the following rates:

• £2.90 per sack of loose waste such as rubble or soil (full details)
• £4.50 per sheet or bag of clean plasterboard
• £9.50 for a bag of plasterboard with other materials attached
• £11 per bag/sheet of asbestos

You can pay at the time of booking on the Bristol City Council website. 

Bookings must be completed online at the council website at www.bristol.gov.uk/bookrecycling. Booking online is quick and easy to complete.

Please note, if you are planning to travel by bicycle or on foot you do not need to book an appointment.

Bristol residents can dispose of some household DIY waste for free at one of our recycling centres.

You can bring up to one load per week over a four week period of the following:

• up to 100 litres of loose waste, such as rubble or soil. This must be contained within two 50-litre rubble bags (or bags of equivalent size).

OR

• any bulky or fitted item, like a sink or pedestal, no larger than 2m x 0.75m x 0.7m.

Any waste exceeding these allowances will be charged at the following rates:

• £2.90 per sack of soil and rubble
• £4.50 per sheet or bag of clean plasterboard
• £9.50 for a bag of plasterboard with other materials attached
• £11 per bag/sheet of asbestos.

There is no maximum number of DIY waste bags you can dispose of at the recycling centre, however rules around ‘fair usage’ and no commercial waste remain.

Anyone suspected of abusing the residential waste service may be banned from the site.

The disposal of DIY waste at the recycling centres will be payable online when booking your recycling centre visit.

Booking online is the quickest and easiest way to book a slot. People with access issues, or those who do not have Internet access can call 0117 922 2100 (Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 6pm – please note that telephone lines are closed 12 noon to 1.30pm on Wednesdays).

When calling to book you will need to give your home address and the registration number of the vehicle you’ll be using.

You can book a slot up to two weeks before your visit, or up to one hour before coming to site. We ask that you only book slots that you plan on using.

You can book up to one hour before your visit.

No. Only people with a pre-booked slot will be able to access the site. For more information on how to book, please see above.

You must bring photo identification (ID) and proof you’re a Bristol resident when attending your booked slot.

Examples include:

• driver’s license, travel card, or student ID
• council tax, utility bill

If you are using the recycling centre to recycle or deposit your waste, you still need to bring photo identification (ID) and proof you’re a Bristol resident.

On average people spend 10 to 15 minutes at the recycling centres. Please be considerate of others waiting to come in and pre-sort your materials prior to coming on site. This will also make it easier for you when you arrive.

If you are unable find your address, please send the details of the missing address to Address not listed – bristol.gov.uk. Addresses can normally be added within 24 hours of notification.

If you are just visiting the shop at Hartcliffe Way or Avonmouth you can access the shop without booking. If you are visiting the Days Road shop you will need to book a slot as the shop is accessed through the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre.

The donation areas for pre-loved goods are located in the recycling centres, so if you are planning to donate, you will need to make a booking.

Slots are available throughout the day and at various sites across the city. If your first choice is not available, try looking at a different time, day, or site. Please note, we only allow people to book between one hour and two weeks in advance. We restrict the numbers that can book to prevent queues and ensure on-site safety.

You are able to visit the site using a hire vehicle. When booking you need to select the ‘I am using a hire vehicle’ option. This will allow you to proceed with your booking without entering registration plate details. When you arrive on site, you will be asked to present your hire documentation.

There is no limit to the number of times you can visit the site. If you repeatedly fail to show up for your appointments, your access to the recycling centres may be restricted. You will receive an automated message via the email address you provided to remind you of your booking.

The booking system helps us to plan numbers of people on site, ensure there are no queues, and provide a swift and smooth experience for you on site. So please try to be on time.

If you arrive late, you may not be able to access the recycling centre.

You can cancel your appointment by following the link in your confirmation booking. Please try to cancel with as much notice as possible. If you repeatedly miss your bookings, your access to the recycling centres may be restricted. This is to ensure there is good availability for all.

No, it is not possible to transfer your appointment to someone else. You will need to cancel your appointment and the other person will need to book with their details.

If you are planning to travel on bike, you do not need to make a booking to access the recycling centres. We accept pedestrians at the Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre, who also do not need to make a booking.

Please contact our customer support team general@bristolwastecompany.co.uk.