Frequently asked questions

It is estimated that about 5% of waste brought into our Household Recycling Centres originates from business (trade) activity and this costs Council Tax payers an estimated £200,000 a year in disposal costs. Our sites are not licensed to accept business waste and it is illegal for it to be deposited at them. This new system aims to identify business waste carriers and stop them using the sites.

Access to all Gloucestershire’s Household Recycling Centres will be restricted for the following vehicle types:

• All panel vans (car derived or other) of any size including hire vans
• All pick-up vehicles (including single cab, maxi cab and double cab) with or without an enclosed rear top.
• All sign written vehicles (excluding hire cars, taxis and courtesy cars)
• All vehicles towing a large trailer. Small trailers with a load space up to 6ft by 4ft do not need to book.

Please note:- any vehicles, including trailers, with an open cargo area, must be safely secured with ropes, a net, or a sheet. Vehicles with insecure loads will be registered, and may be refused entrance. The following vehicles will be allowed normal access to the sites Camper vans Motor homes

0845 602 9344. This number is charged at a local rate. Please do not call your local or County Council as they will be unable to take your booking.

People carrier type vehicles are not subject to the booking system. However, it is recognised that such vehicles could be used to carry business waste if the rear seats have been removed and you may be questioned by the site Recycling Advisers if you are observed having a vehicle that is modified in this way.

Yes. Depending on the size of van you may be able to book up to 3 visits for any one day.
Car and trailer (>6x4 ft) and Pick-ups – up to 3 visits
Car based vans (e.g. Vauxhall Astravan) - up to 3 visits
Medium sized vans (e.g. Ford Transit Connect) - up to 2 visits
Large vans (e.g. Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter) - 1 visit only

You will need to book an appointment and bring a copy of the hire agreement from the Vehicle Hire Company when you visit. We understand that you may not be able to give the registration of the vehicle at the time of booking.

No. You need to book at least a day in advance. If you need to visit at the weekend, you are advised to call the booking line as early in the week as possible.

The booking line is open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The booking line does not operate on Saturdays or Sundays. If you need to visit at the weekend, you are advised to ring as early in the week as possible.

You need to book at least the day before. If you need to visit at the weekend, you are advised to ring as early in the week as possible.

Your vehicle will be allowed access any time within the sites operating hours.

These are 8am to 7.45pm (summer time) and 8am to 4.45pm (winter time - when the clocks go back). All sites are closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.

No, the booking line operates 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. The booking line does not operate on Saturdays or Sundays. If you need to visit at the weekend, you are advised to ring as early in the week as possible.

Yes, you may still bring down waste that is non-recyclable. We do urge you to check all the recycling options we have at our sites either through our website (www.recycleforgloucestershire.com), Helpline (01242 680 010) or by asking the Recycling Advisers on site. What you consider to be non-recyclable may actually be collected at our sites for recycling.

Our sites are for household waste only. However, we recognise that those producing business waste want to recycle as well. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market by visiting the website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site).

This website was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency and is very easy to use and will locate the nearest waste disposal and recycling businesses in the geographical area of your work. There will also be options available to you through local business directories.

All five County Council sites. These are:

• Wingmoor Farm, near Bishops Cleeve.
• Hempsted in Gloucester.
• Pyke Quarry, near Horsley, Stroud.
• Oak Quarry, near Coleford.
• Fosse Cross, near Calmsden - Cirencester

Please note that the Recycling Centre in Swindon Road, Cheltenham is operated by Cheltenham Borough Council, not Gloucestershire County Council. It operates a ‘no van’ policy. For more details call Cheltenham Borough Council on (01242) 264 244.

Yes, the waste has been generated as a result of business activities, and not from the activities of the household. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market through a website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site) that was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency.

Yes, the waste was produced as a result of business activity, no matter how long ago. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market through a website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site) that was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency.

No, your gardener did the work and has the responsibility for disposal of the waste. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market through a website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site) that was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency.

No, the waste remains business waste. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market through a website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site) that was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency.

Unfortunately this is business waste and we legally cannot accept it and the sites are only licensed to accept household waste. If you take it to a private site for business waste it may be recycled. We cannot recommend individual waste companies but urge you to explore the market through a website www.wastedirectory.org.uk (external site) that was set up by a number of environmental regulation authorities, including the Environment Agency.

No. You will be charged for the disposal or recycling of your waste. These services are not funded by your business rates, and are provided by commercial organisations.

The booking system has been designed to stop the illegal disposal of business waste at the county’s Household Recycling Centres. The operation of these sites is paid for by Gloucestershire residents, and not by businesses. As a result of this, some users who were previously using the household recycling centres illegally will now have to pay to dispose of their waste elsewhere. We will advise businesses of their obligations with regard to waste disposal and how to go about it responsibly and within the law.

The County Council does not believe that the introduction of this scheme will lead to an increase in fly tipping. This is a serious environmental crime, and we know that the vast majority of people are law-abiding citizens. Gloucestershire’s 6 district councils are responsible for dealing with fly tipping incidents on public land in the county and all such incidents are recorded by the Environment Agency. We work closely with the District Councils and there is no evidence so far of an increase in fly tipping.

In the UK fly tipping is an illegal activity. If you discover any fly tipped waste on public land you should contact your local district council immediately so that evidence can be obtained and the waste can be removed as soon as possible. A conviction for fly tipping can result in a fine of up to £50,000 and can lead to imprisonment for up to 5 years.