Household waste and recycling centres

Household waste and recycling centres

We have three sites where Newcastle residents can recycle waste and get rid of any extra rubbish from your home that you have not disposed of in your bins. Byker and Brunswick are open from 8am to 6pm. Walbottle is open from 9am to 6pm. You cannot access these sites on foot.

Before driving to one of our sites please make sure you understand our recycling centre rules.

They include that:

  • our recycling centres are only for people living in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Newcastle City Council area.
  • drivers of larger vehicles may need to apply for a permit in advance

Remember to check our A-Z of Recycling if you need any guidance about disposing of or recycling items.

On this page:

Site locations

Brunswick

Byker

Walbottle

Opening times and last entry

Byker and Brunswick are open from 8am to 6pm. Walbottle is open from 9am to 6pm.

Our 3 recycling centres are open every day of the week, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day when the sites will close. All three recycling centres close at 4pm on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

Last entry

Please be aware that all three Household Waste Recycling Centres must close on the hour.

In order to have sites cleared and gates locked on the hour, last entry is:

  • 15 minutes before closing for small car loads
  • 30 minutes before closing for large car loads
  • one hour before closing for larger vehicles with a Wastebot permit

Please bear these time restrictions in mind if attempting to visit a site late in the evening.

Routine site closures

Compacting waste

When a mixed waste container fills up, we need to compact its contents into a smaller number of storage containers. This process takes about 15 minutes and our sites must close temporarily to allow this to happen safely.

We try to keep closures to a minimum and we ask for your understanding when this occurs. Please check for signs on the site gates.

Adverse weather

Staff will always try to keep the sites open in adverse weather however, sites may have to close if conditions become dangerous.

If conditions are bad, and you would like to find out in advance if a site is open, please check our social media pages or phone 0191 278 7878 and ask for 'tips' prior to travelling.

Large vehicles, business vehicles and trailers

Wastebot permits

If you want to visit one of our recycling centres, with rubbish and recycling from your home, you will need to apply for a permit in advance if you are:

  • driving a larger car or van
  • towing a trailer
  • driving a vehicle with business branding

Where you need a permit you can request one and receive it in minutes using your mobile phone.

More details of what is considered a large vehicle and how to apply for a permit can be found on our Wastebot waste permits page.

Trade waste

Only household waste is accepted at our recycling centres. The sites are not legally allowed to take in waste from businesses or tradespeople.

Disposing of commercial or industrial waste at the sites is an offence and anyone found to be doing so will be either:

  • issued a fixed penalty of between £400 and £700
  • prosecuted, with no limit to the fine that can be issued

To find where you can dispose of trade waste, please:

You must comply with the legislation and duty of care that relates to trade waste. This includes keeping records of how you dispose of your waste and who you give it to.

You may need to be a registered waste carrier to transport waste from your business or occupation.

Other local recycling points

Local recycling points can be found across the city in places such as supermarket car parks.

At these recycling points you will find a small number of containers for materials such as glass, clothing and newspaper. They do not accept general waste.

Find your nearest local recycling point on the Recycle Now website.

Recycling bulky items

For details of how to recycle larger or bulky items please see our pages about recycling bulky items.

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Sandhills garden waste recycling centre

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