Vans and large trailers take up a lot of space at recycling centres and often take a long time to 🧬 unload. This can lead to long queues and waiting times to access sites.
The introduction of a booking system for these 🧬 types of vehicles will enable us to better manage service demand and reduce queuing at peak times.
Book your slot to 🧬 visit a recycling centre in a van
If you want to visit an Essex recycling centre in a van (including pick-up 🧬 trucks and any vehicle towing a trailer with more than one axle), you will need to book a slot in 🧬 advance. Any vehicle that is 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes) or over, agricultural vehicles, horse boxes/trailers and tipping flatbeds are not accepted 🧬 at any of the recycling centres in Essex.
What Essex County Council defines as a van, pick-up or large trailer.
Please remember, 🧬 recycling centres only accept household waste and limits apply on DIY and construction waste.
Book your slot to visit a recycling 🧬 centre
There is no charge to book, but you need to make a booking each time you visit.
You can watch a 🧬 quick tutorial of how to make a booking here.
When making the booking, you will be able to select the recycling 🧬 centre you wish to visit. Once you have chosen your recycling centre, a calendar will appear displaying the time slots. 🧬 Fully booked slots will be greyed out, and available slots will be green.
You can also view the capacity of each 🧬 slot in the bottom right-hand corner of the time slot so you can see how busy each slot is.
Once your 🧬 booking is complete you will receive a confirmation email. Please bring the booking confirmation and proof of address. Only residents 🧬 of the Essex County Council area* will be allowed access. If you are unsure of your local council area you 🧬 can check here.
* Residents from nearby areas in Suffolk or Hertfordshire can also visit the sites. This is thanks to 🧬 reciprocal partnerships with Suffolk County Council and Hertfordshire County Council allowing cross-border use. Essex residents wishing to visit a Hertfordshire 🧬 recycling centre will need to apply for a free annual permit.
Please note:
Booking slots will be made available for up to 🧬 three weeks in advance.
Bookings will close in advance to allow for a detailed list to be provided to the sites 🧬 and administrative teams.
To ensure fair usage, we ask residents to limit visits to one booking per week.
Bookings will be for 🧬 an hour long time slot. You can arrive at your designated recycling centre at any point within this time slot. 🧬 However please be aware you have 20 minutes to unload your vehicle once on site. If you are planning to 🧬 visit towards the end of your time slot, please note you must arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the 🧬 end of your slot.
Users should ensure their vehicle is safely parked with the engine off before displaying their booking confirmation 🧬 on their mobile device.
Vans, pick-ups and twin-axle trailers are not permitted to access the sites before 9:30am and after 4:30pm 🧬 between 1 March and 15 October, and before 9:30am and after 3:30pm between 16 October and end of February.
A booking 🧬 slot does not allow priority access. If you arrive and there is a queue, please do not try and skip 🧬 the queue as you will be refused access.
If you miss your slot, you may need to book another slot to 🧬 visit at another time.
If you do not have access to the internet, bookings can be made free of charge on 🧬 a public computer at a local library, where booking confirmations can also be printed.
If you do not have access to 🧬 the internet, you can also phone the Essex County Council contact centre on 0345 743 0430 Monday to Friday, 8:30am 🧬 to 5:00pm who will make the booking on your behalf.
Any vans that park up outside and attempt to walk waste 🧬 in will be reported and refused entry.
If you are a Blue Badge holder or visiting as a pedestrian or cyclist, 🧬 you do not need to book a slot.
Normal site rules apply. Small recycling centres do not accept vans.
How to cancel 🧬 a booking
If you would like to cancel your booking, the booking confirmation email contains a link called 'return to my 🧬 booking'. If you click this link, you will be able to follow the instructions to cancel your booking.
Recycling centres that 🧬 accept vans
The booking system for vans is only applicable to the nine sites in Essex that accept vans (including pick-ups 🧬 and large trailers). These are:
Further information
What does Essex County Council define as a van, pick-up or large trailer?
Recycling centre booking 🧬 system terms and conditions
Find your nearest recycling centre
Find out how and where to dispose of your unwanted items
