Household Waste Recycling Centre visitor rules

Cumberland Council and Biffa, who manage our HWRCs with subcontractor Cumbria Waste Management Ltd, may refuse access to anyone who does not follow the site rules or attempts to deposit trade waste. 

HWRCs are for residents only.

Your waste type, vehicle registration and descriptions may be recorded if we suspect illegal or inappropriate activity.

Waste we accept

Our HWRCs accept household waste only.

Trade waste

Trade waste is not permitted. This includes (but is not limited to) waste from:

• traders
• landlords
• property developers
• people doing paid ‘tip-runs’ or shifting waste for cash
• ‘handyman’ waste
• holiday lets
• guesthouses
• hotels
• Airbnb's
• campsites

Depositing trade waste may be a criminal offence under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.  We may refer suspected offences to our Enforcement Teams.

Visit Trade waste for more information about disposal and collections

Preparing for your visit

Before you visit, you should:

• sort your waste and recycling to reduce your time on site and to avoid contamination
• wear suitable footwear (not flip-flops, sandals or high heels) and clothing to prevent slips, trips and falls
• bring someone to help you lift heavy items out of your vehicle (staff can help carry heavy items once you have removed them from your vehicle)
• be aware that some of sites may close briefly for container exchanges

You will need to apply for a waste permit before your visit, if you're:

• using a car towing a double axle trailer (up to 3m long)
• bringing a van or utility vehicle
• a pedestrian arriving on foot

Keep your data safe

If you're disposing of any electronic device, you are responsible for removing personal data stored on it. This includes:

• laptops
• tablets
• mobile phones
• desktop computers
• other digital devices that store data

To protect your information, you should:

• have the data professionally wiped (some IT companies offer this for free)
• follow the Recycle Your Electricals guidance on how to delete your data

While you're on site

You should:

• follow staff’s instructions at all times
• be considerate of other site users
• tell staff when you arrive if you need assistance due to a disability or mobility issues
• keep children and pets inside your vehicle
• drive carefully and keep to the 5mph speed limit
• use pedestrian routes where possible
• take care when handling waste and consider wearing gloves
• ask staff where to put hazardous waste or chemicals
• ask staff if you’re unsure where your waste should go

You should not:

• bring trade waste
• tow a trailer if using a van or utility vehicle
• drive against the one-way system
• smoke or vape
• climb on barriers, into containers or into your trailer
• throw waste into containers or across pedestrian areas
• shovel waste directly from your trailer into a container
• bring waste in your wheelie bin
• remove waste from containers

If you have a damaged wheelie bin contact us to arrange the collection of it.

We operate a zero-tolerance policy on violence and aggression. Abuse towards staff or other users may be reported to the police using CCTV footage and may result in a ban.

Vehicles and trailers

Before visiting, check that your vehicle or trailer:

• meets our site rules
• is roadworthy, taxed and insured for personal use
• has a matching registration plate if towing a trailer
• is permitted under your driving licence

Vehicles and trailers that require a permit but arrive without one will not be allowed on site.

You cannot park outside the site and walk waste in.

For more information, visit Towing with a car on GOV.UK

Plan your visit

Weekdays are usually quieter.

Expect queues at weekends and on bank holidays. Avoid blocking nearby businesses or side roads when queuing.