Waste acceptance policy at HWRCs

Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) only accept waste of the type and amount associated with the usual production from a household. Trade waste is not accepted. This webpage explains in more detail the types and amounts of waste which you can take to HWRCs for reuse, recycling and disposal.

Reusable items in good condition?

Avoid sending waste to landfill by passing bric-a-brac, furniture, books and household electrical items suitable for reuse to charity shops or community schemes. For details of local organisations, please see the leaflet on alternative disposal routes for household waste, available from any HWRC.

Household items brought to HWRCs in good condition may be sold on for reuse through the onsite sales areas. Please see a member of site staff if you believe you have a suitable item. Bric-a-brac and furniture items not suitable for reuse should be placed into the relevant container for the material type.

Disposing of large amounts of waste or types not accepted

Information on alternative disposal routes for both household and trade waste is available in leaflet form from any HWRC.

Waste types accepted at HWRCs


	Green garden waste Material under a diameter of 100mm or four inches should be placed in the green waste container. From here, green garden waste is taken to one of three special sites around the county to be composted. The result is Pro-Grow soil conditioner which is certified by the Soil Association and can be bought from any HWRC. Material with a diameter greater than 100mm or four inches, turf and spent compost cannot easily be composted and should be placed in the household waste container for final disposal.
	Clothing and textiles Most HWRCs have a clothing and textiles bank. Clothes in good condition may be collected by charities for resale, or donated to aid projects in developing countries. Other textiles can be reused as industrial rags and cleaning cloths.
	Cardboard, newspapers and magazines Cardboard, newspapers and magazines and telephone directories can all be recycled at your local HWRC. Mixed paper and cardboard are transported to mills where they are turned into various forms of packaging.
	Glass bottles and jars Please sort glass bottles and jars according to their colour and place in the bottle bank. Glass is recycled into new bottles and jars, or crushed and used as a building aggregate. Pyrex and window glass is not recyclable and should be placed in the household waste container for final disposal.
	Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) Fridges, freezers, televisions, computer monitors and small items such as mobile phones and hairdryers are accepted at HWRCs. Most items can be sold for spares through the onsite sales area, or sent off to reprocessors where their various elements are stripped down and recycled or disposed of safely.
	Household batteries Please place household batteries in the designated red wheelie bin. From here they are sent for recycling into their various elements.
	Animal and pet waste Only animal waste from the keeping of domestic animals is accepted. A maximum of two bin liners can be deposited per customer per day, and waste must be double bagged before disposal. Please inform site staff of the waste type before placing in the household waste bin for final disposal. Waste from livestock, breeding, boarding, stabling or exhibiting of animals is not accepted.
	Soil and rubble Although soil and rubble is not legally defined as household waste, Hampshire County Council recognises that households may produce small quantities, so HWRCs in Hampshire will accept the equivalent of a medium-sized car boot full of waste (approximately the contents of six 30 litre bags) no more than an average of once per month, per household. Soil and rubble waste must be brought to the site bagged or boxed and then emptied directly into the correct container. The quantity restriction applies whatever vehicle is being used to transport the material. Used bricks, loose soil, sand, clay, ceramics and tiles, and concrete can be placed in the soil and rubble container. Once screened, soil is blended for reuse as topsoil, while rubble is broken down and used as a secondary aggregate. Cement, plasterboard, broken plaster, tarmac and turf should be placed in the household waste container for final disposal.
	Wood and timber Some wooden items such as furniture can be reused through the onsite sales area. Please ask site staff for further advice. Clean untreated wood can be placed into the wood recycling container. Remove metal fixtures such as door handles and hinges beforehand. Untreated wood is shredded and turned into chipboard or MDF. Please place treated wood (wood with paint or varnish on it) or manmade materials such as MDF or chipboard in the non-recyclable household waste container for final disposal.
	Scrap metal items Please place iron and steel items in the ferrous container, and aluminium in the non-ferrous container. Any fluids such as oil must be removed before disposal. Metals are sold as scrap and reused by industry.
	Paint Non-water based paints should be placed in the designated container. Water based paints should be placed in the household waste container for final disposal. Paint should be deposited in a suitable, sealed container. A maximum of five litres per person per month can be deposited.
	Hazardous household waste Hazardous household waste is only accepted at 11 specially licensed HWRCs, namely Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Bordon, Farnborough, Marchwood, Netley, Segensworth, and Winchester, along with the two HWRCs operated by Portsmouth and Southampton city councils. Please place in the designated area any liquids with hazardous content, for example, pesticides, lawn treatments, white spirit, varnishes and antifreeze. Such items must be delivered in a suitable sealed container. A maximum of five litres can be deposited per person per month.
	Automotive waste Only waste from a household source will be accepted. Car batteries: Please place in the designated container for safe disposal. Engine oil: This must be in a suitable sealed container. A maximum of 10 litres can be deposited per person per six months. Petrol, diesel and tyres are not accepted at HWRCs. Please see the information on alternative disposal routes.
	Gas bottles Please contact the manufacturer in the first instance to check if they are able to take back the item for reuse/refilling or disposal. HWRCs accept gas bottles up to 15kg in size, either propane or butane. Balloon gas bottles are also accepted. Other gas bottles such as SCUBA diving bottles or air cylinders are not accepted. Please see the information available on alternative disposal routes.
	Cement bonded asbestos (CBA) CBA is only accepted at five specially licensed HWRCs – Andover, Basingstoke, Efford, Netley and Portsmouth. HWRCs will accept no more than 15 sheets, of no greater size than 120cm by 60cm sheets. This is approximately equal to the amount that comes from a standard single garage roof. CBA must be wrapped in plastic sheeting or small pieces must be double bagged and sealed with tape to avoid the release of asbestos fibres. Please call the site in advance to confirm that there is adequate space to store it safely, otherwise you may be turned away upon arrival. No other types of asbestos will be accepted.
	Fire extinguishers CHUBB will take back the majority of extinguishers, whether manufactured by them or another company. Please call 01344 412700 to arrange collection for a £4 charge from any premises. HWRCs will only accept extinguishers if CHUBB are unable to collect them.