Visiting recycling centres
What to expect when you visit a household waste recycling centre, including charges.
For full details of all our household waste recycling centre policies please see our operating, access and waste acceptance policy (pdf format, 421Kb).
Pedestrian access
Pedestrian access is not permitted onto any of Oxfordshire’s HWRCs. This is because there are currently no segregated walkways to enable pedestrians to safely enter and exit the sites. This may be reviewed in future developments and site refurbishments should opportunities arise.
Some districts provide containers for recycling such as those located in supermarket car parks or community centres: these often collect similar items to household waste recycling centres and are often more easily accessible on foot. Some shops also offer collection points for more specific items like printer cartridges, Brita filters and some lightbulbs.
To check out all the options we know about, use our waste wizard to search for an item and find information on where you can recycle it. If you know of other areas we have not got listed please let us know.
You can also tell us about a missing or inaccurate item.
Opening hours
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 8am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 8am - 5pm (8am - 8pm April to September) |
| Friday | 8am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 8am - 5pm |
| Sunday | 8am - 5pm |
Bank holidays - normal opening hours except for Christmas and New Year.
Take care when using the household waste recycling centres, be aware of vehicles on site and use the internal pedestrian walkways and crossing points where possible, and take care handling waste to prevent cuts. Please read our health and safety tips at HWRCs (pdf format, 230kb) for more information.
Household waste
The waste recycling centres accept a wide range of household recyclables and waste free of charge e.g. garden waste, small and large electricals, textiles, cardboard etc. Non-household waste (DIY) is accepted for a small charge. All payments should be made by electronic means, all of our sites accept contactless payments and Apple/Samsung Pay etc. See the price list on our charging for non-household waste (DIY) page.
You can use the Waste Wizard search tool to find out what to do with an item you no longer need and what alternatives there are in regard to repair and reuse before bringing it to a recycling centre.
Trade and business waste
Businesses have a legal duty to dispose of their waste properly. See our page on commercial waste disposal for more information.
Wall and railing heights
The walls and railings at our waste recycling centres are the minimum height required under national health and safety regulations. If you cannot reach over the walls or railings to deposit your waste and recycling, please bring a member of your household
who will be able to assist you.
Vehicles on site
Commercial-type vehicles and trailers between 1.8 and 3 metres (or 6 - 10 feet) require a free permit to use the waste recycling centres.
Please note that only vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes laden can be allowed at the recycling centres. Box or Luton type vans larger than a long wheel based transit van are not allowed access to any site.
We also cannot accept trailers longer than 3m in length or trailers towed by commercial-type vehicles. Vans or trailers with tail lifts or ramps are not allowed to use these on site for health and safety reasons.
See the van and trailer permit scheme for more information on vehicle restrictions.
Please note that due to highway restrictions vehicles are not permitted to turn right into or out of Redbridge waste recycling centre
Body cameras
Body-worn cameras have been introduced to all Oxfordshire recycling centres. These form part of the site team's Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and is for their safety as well as residents using the centres.
Why are you filming?
For public and site staff safety and to help investigate complaints and incidents which may happen on site.
Are you allowed to film?
Yes, legally anyone is allowed to film in a public area. There are signs advertising the use of body cameras and CCTV on each site. CCTV has been used at the recycling centres for over five years.
Will the cameras record constantly?
No, the cameras will never be recording constantly. They will only be switched on if the site staff think an interaction may escalate. This is to ensure the public are not unnecessarily impeded. Members of public will be told as soon as practical that they are being recorded and when the camera is recording, it is visible by a flashing red light.
Can I ask for the camera to be switched off?
No, the cameras are on site for the purpose of public and site staff safety.
Can I have a copy of the footage you have filmed?
If the public wish to view footage taken of them they can request it from Oxfordshire County Council, in writing, to obtain it under freedom of information, data protection laws. It must be within 31 days before the footage is deleted from the system.
Recycling rates
| Waste recycling centre | 2017/18 | 2018/19 | 2019/20 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alkerton | 53.95% | 59.01% | 56.49% | 66.47% | 66.89% |
| Ardley | 57.14% | 60.98% | 58.23% | 67.35% | 69.35% |
| Dix Pit | 56.48% | 55.57% | 55.43% | 63.12% | 66.21% |
| Drayton | 61.43% | 63.58% | 59.75% | 66.42% | 71.17% |
| Oakley Wood | 68.66% | 69.28% | 65.78% | 71.84% | 76.01% |
| Redbridge | 52.48% | 60.75% | 60.09% | 66.38% | 67.18% |
| Stanford in the Vale | 60.24% | 63.37% | 60.50% | 67.45% | 70.80% |
| Total | 57.96% | 61.73% | 59.66% | 66.94% | 69.66% |