Household recycling centres permits FAQ

The new permit system will be introduced at our Household Recycling Centres (HRC) on 13 May 2024. All existing permit holders will need to re-apply for a new electronic permit to continue having access to the HRCs with their van, pickup or trailer. You can re-apply for a new permit now.

All existing permits will not be valid from 13 May 2024. From this date, you will need a new electronic permit. You can apply now.

The council has not been issuing permit holders with paper permits since the COVID restrictions were in place.

The previous paper-permit system was effectively replaced by the online booking system put in place to control HRC visitors numbers during the pandemic. Since normal HRC access has opened back up, we have noted a marked increase in the number of vans and commercial-type vehicles accessing our sites, and which can contribute to local congestion.

Commercial waste is often brought in by vans and this type of waste is not accepted at our HRCs. Therefore, the permit system is being reintroduced to guard against the illegal deposit of commercial waste by businesses, whilst still allowing some permitted access to Wiltshire householders who choose to use a larger van or trailer rather than a car, recognising that much larger volumes of waste tend to be brought in by van and trailer.

Permits can be obtained by visiting HRC van, pickup or large trailer permit.

Alternatively, if you are not able to apply online, please contact Customer Services on 0300 456 0102.

You will receive your electronic permit by email within two working days of applying. Once you have received your electronic permit you will be able to start using it straight away.  

The following vehicles require a permit:

• vans
• flatbed or pickup type vehicles, with a load carrying area separated from the cab 
• vehicles with permanently removed rear seats and/or blanked out rear or side windows
• large trailers (between 1.8 and 3 metres)

You will not require a permit if you drive a van or large vehicle which has been converted to allow for disabled access. Examples of this type of vehicle may be that the seats have been removed to allow for a wheelchair, or a ramp has been fitted. If this applies, please display your blue badge when on site.

Vehicles which do not need a permit:

• cars
• 4x4s (excluding those which fall into the above categories)
• small trailers (under 1.8 metres)

Due to limited space on sites, these vehicles are not permitted:

• vehicles with a gross laden weight over 3.5t
• trailers over 3 metres
• horse box/livestock trailers
• any van, pickup or flatbed vehicle towing a trailer of any size

You do not need a permit to visit the sites in a camper van unless the seats have been permanently removed and the vehicle is used for commercial load carrying purposes. 

A  QR code will be issued via email which can be scanned 12 times. The QR code can be saved on your smartphone/other electronic devices, or you can print out a hard copy. When visiting a recycling centre, please show your code to a member of site staff who will scan it, and this will reduce your remaining visits by one each time.

If you do not have access to email, please contact Customer Services on 0300 456 0102.

If you do not have access to email, you can apply by contacting Customer Services on 0300 456 0102 and they will be able to provide you with a printed copy.

No, you will not need to print your permit if you do not want to. The code can be shown and scanned on a phone or other electronic devices when visiting a recycling centre.

If you forget your permit, staff can use your vehicle registration number or your address to manually search for your permit.

One permit per household can be issued which is valid for 12 visits. If you have more than one vehicle or trailer which requires a permit within the household, you will have to choose which you request the permit for.

The electronic permit will be valid for one vehicle and 12 visits per year. There is no end-date on the permit so you can continue to use it until all 12 visits have been used. You will be unable to renew  your permit until 12 months after it has been issued.

You will receive your electronic permit by email within two working days of applying. Once you have received your electronic permit you will be able to start using it straight away.

If you change your address or your vehicle, you must inform the council by using the online Waste: Customer feedback (iLform) (opens new window). You will not be charged for updates to existing permits.

No. The sites are not licenced to accept any commercial waste. If your business disposes of rubbish through the kerbside collection service waste or takes it to a household recycling centre, you are committing an offence.

Anyone running a business, including self-catering accommodation or those providing services such as gardening or maintenance, have a responsibility to dispose of their waste legally. They are not permitted to use the HRCs. 

The permits do not expire.  

You can continue to use the same permit until all of your visits have been used up.

You can visit the sites more than once in a day, but will be limited to 12 visits in a calendar year.

The trailer should be measured between both ends of the trailer bed.  This does not include the tow bar.

It has become increasingly common for local authorities to apply restrictions at HRCs, and many now only accept vans on to their sites under some form of permit scheme which restricts the number of visits they can make. This helps to preserve good access for residents, for which the sites are intended, and helps to minimise the amount of waste being taken to the sites that the council has no statutory duty to accept, for example commercial waste.

Yes. It is the site staffs' role to ensure that the waste which is brought to the sites is not commercial waste and they are asked to speak to residents about the waste they are bringing to the site and ask them to complete a trade waste disclaimer if they believe the waste may be commercial waste.

Yes. It is part of the site staffs' role to implement and monitor the permit system on site. If you do not have a valid permit, the site staff may ask you to leave the site. In addition, the site staff have the right to ask anyone who abuses them, either verbally or physically, to leave the site.

Neither Wiltshire Council, Hills Waste Solutions or FCC Environment will tolerate violent, aggressive, abusive or threatening behaviour towards site staff.

If you are borrowing a vehicle from a family member or friend, please bring the permit registered to the vehicle you are borrowing. If the vehicle does not have a permit, you can register for one in your own name providing you have permission from the owner. However, only one permit will be issued per vehicle so please be certain that they do not wish to apply for one themselves.

If you are using a works vehicle, please bring a letter from the business loaning you the van, stating your name and the dates you are borrowing it​​​​ and proof of your Wiltshire address.

If you are hiring a vehicle, please bring your hire agreement and proof of your Wiltshire address.

In addition, ensure that you are insured to drive the vehicle for this purpose.