Bristol Waste Reuse and Recycling Centres
Our reuse and recycling centres are open from 8am to 6:45pm with a booking system in place.
Visiting Bristol's Reuse and Recycling Centres
Bristol has three Reuse and Recycling Centres in Avonmouth, St Philips and Hartcliffe Way. To visit one of the centres, you need to book in advance online or by phone. If you’re taking your van to the recycling centre, you will need a permit.
Please remember to bring identification or proof of address when attending your booking or when visiting the Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre as a pedestrian.
Smaller recycling centres can be found using Bristol City Council’s recycling centre finder.
Reuse and recycling centres opening times
The opening times for the Household Reuse and Recycling Centres are currently 8am – 6:45pm, 7 days a week.

Seasonal opening times
Summer hours
28 March 2022 to 24 October 2022 – 8am – 6:45pm
Winter hours
25 October 2021 to 27 March 2022 – 8am – 4:15pm
Christmas
Closed 25 and 26 December 2022 and 1 January 2023
ID and proof of address required
You must present valid ID confirming Bristol residency to use the recycling centres even as a pedestrian at Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Accepted ID combinations:
- Photo ID and Bristol City Council tax bill
- Photo ID and utility bill with a Bristol address
- Student ID card identifying you as a Bristol student
We accept paper and mobile bills
Officially recognised photo ID includes:
- Driving license, including international driving licenses
- Passport
- National Union of Students (NUS) card
- European Economic Area (EEA) member state ID card
- Construction Identity Scheme (CIS) card
If you’re unable to provide photo ID please email hwrc.enquiries@bristolwastecompany.co.uk

Booking system
The booking system replaces the odd and even number plate system and opens up access to all residents every day.
Visit www.bristol.gov.uk/bookrecycling to book quickly and easily. For those without access to the internet, you can call 0117 922 2100 Monday – Friday between 08:30 – 18:00 (closed 12:00 – 13:30 on Wednesdays).
Have questions? Find answers in the booking system FAQ.

Sort your waste before arriving at the recycling centre
Sorting your waste before arriving makes it easier to unload and get materials into the correct bays. Did you know, nearly 70% of what is in the average bin bag that is brought to our recycling centres could be recycled?
Anyone arriving with bags of general waste may be encouraged to sort the bag on site to ensure all recyclable materials are removed first. A table and boxes are provided on site to sort the waste, and hand sanitiser and spray are available to keep the area clean and safe.

Students! Do you have end-of-term waste?
From extra bins on the street during the summer, to easier access at the recycling centres, make sure you know all the ways you can legally dispose of your end of term waste and recycling. Get all the info in our Sort Out For Summer guide.

Permits for vans, pickups and towed trailers
If you are a Bristol householder with a van, pick-up or towing a trailer over 1.52 metres (5 feet) in length will need to apply for a permit to access either of our sites. Both of our recycling centres have a height restriction of 2.4m.
Business waste cannot be taken to our recycling centres.

Hartcliffe Way bike trailer hire
Book a bike trailer from our Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre to transport your waste and recycling to the site. You can also use the trailer to take any items you buy from the reuse shop home with you!
If you come to Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre by bike you don’t need to book a slot for your visit, but you will need to book a trailer.
Booking will be quick and easy, and we will confirm your booking within 2-3 working days. A £30 refundable deposit is required when you collect the trailer. Deposits can be paid in cash or by card.

Asbestos
We will only accept three sheets or three 25kg bags of bonded asbestos per visit, or per week, whichever is the less.
All asbestos must be double wrapped in polythene and sealed with tape.
Bagged asbestos must not be mixed with any other waste. We can only accept cement bonded asbestos and will not accept unwrapped asbestos.
Our site locations
St Philips Reuse and Recycling Centre
Folly Lane, off Days Road
St Philips
Bristol
BS2 0QS
Avonmouth Reuse and Recycling Centre
Kings Weston Lane
Avonmouth
Bristol
BS11 0YS
What can you bring to a recycling centre?
DIY and construction waste
We limit the amount of DIY and construction waste you can bring to the site to six bags, with a maximum weight of each bag limited to 25kg. We will not accept more than six bags. Anything over this limit is classed as industrial waste, even if it is generated at home.
Why do we have these limits?
We are bringing our limits in line with other local authorities by imposing these limits. The limits also help to ensure our service is for Bristol residents only, rather than traders trying to dispose of their waste for free.

Examples of DIY and construction materials
- Hardcore rubble and bricks, concrete slabs
- Plasterboard
- Roofing materials
- Soil
- Any waste mixed with other DIY or construction waste
- Asbestos
We will only accept separated soil and rubble at the site. Please ensure you separate them as they will be refused if mixed with other waste.
What if you cannot get to the recycling centre?
Do you have usable furniture to donate?
Some charity organisations collect large, fit-for-purpose items for free so they can be reused. There are numerous charities in Bristol that will collect items, a selection of these are listed below. Check out their websites to find out more;
SOFA Project
Emmaus Bristol
Happytat
Sue Ryder
British Heart Foundation
Please be aware leaving items out on the kerbside or street can be considered illegal fly-tipping and you could be prosecuted.
Do you have bulky items that you cannot get to the recycling centre?
Book a paid for bulky waste collection through Bristol City Council’s website using the link below.
Recycling Centres FAQ
The Reuse and Recycling Centres operated by Bristol Waste Company can only be used by residents living within the Bristol City Council area to dispose of their waste. Bordering councils have their own facilities, which their residents should be using.
Proof of address will be checked before you can enter the site and should be shown to staff through a closed window. You will need photo ID and a recent bill or student ID. Any vehicle that arrives on site and does not have proof of address will be turned away. To keep queuing to a minimum, please help us by having your proof of address documents ready.
The new Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre will have a footpath and is the only site you can visit on foot.
You cannot arrive at the Avonmouth or St Philip’s recycling centres on foot. This is primarily for your safety; we want all visits to be in a safe environment and the original recycling centres were designed for vehicle access and not pedestrian access. Large lorries and other vehicles are active on site and unfortunately it is not possible to provide safe access routes or pavements for pedestrians.
You can ride a bike into Bristol’s recycling centres. You will need to bring ID and proof of your Bristol address. If there is a queue, you should join behind the other vehicles.
Please email us – general@bristolwastecompany.co.uk
FAQs for the Reuse and Recycling Centres booking System
From the 6 June you need to have booked to visit our Reuse and Recycling Centres.
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.
Booking online is the quickest and easiest way to book a slot. People with access issues, or those who are not able to get online can call 0117 922 2100.
You will need to have your home address and the registration number of the vehicle you’re arriving in to hand when calling. Telephone line will be available Monday to Friday between 08:30 to 18:00 (closed 12:00 to 13:30 on Wednesdays).
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 to the site. For more information on how to book, please see above.
You must bring photo ID and proof of residence when attending your booked slot.
- photo ID, 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 ID or proof of address.
There is no limit on how long you have on site. On average people spend 10 to 15 minutes at the Recycling Centres. Please be considerate of others waiting to come on 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 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 two weeks in advance. We restrict the numbers that can book to prevent queues and ensure on site safety.
You will be able to visit the site using a hire vehicle. When booking you will need to select ‘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 site may be restricted. You will receive an automated message via the email you provided to remind you of your booking.
The booking system helps us plan numbers 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 site.
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 site may be restricted. This is to ensure there is good availability for all.
No. As you will have been asked to provide your address and vehicle registration at the time of booking, and on arrival at the site you will need to provide proof of address. For this reason, 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, or on foot, you do not need to make a booking to access the Recycling Centres. We only accept pedestrians at Hartcliffe Way Reuse and Recycling Centre.
Please contact our customer support team general@bristolwastecompany.co.uk.