What our recycling centres can accept

Essex County Council (ECC) recycling centres are licenced by the Environment Agency and are for household waste only.

Wherever possible, please use your kerbside collections. This is the most convenient way to dispose of your household waste and recycling.

What items we can accept

The following items can be taken to any ECC recycling centre as long as they are from your own household:

  • batteries
  • books
  • car batteries
  • cardboard
  • clothing and textiles
  • coffee pods (aluminium and plastic) 
  • cooking oil
  • engine oil
  • garden waste
  • general rubbish
  • light bulbs and fluorescent tubes
  • mixed glass bottles and jars
  • paint
  • paper
  • printer cartridges
  • scrap metal
  • small electrical appliances
  • tyres
  • vapes (e-cigarettes)
  • wood and timber

Items containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as sofas and chairs, are accepted at all recycling centres. In line with guidance from the Environment Agency, a separate container is provided to ensure the correct disposal of these items. Speak to site staff if you are unsure where to deposit items.

Electricals

Our recycling centres do accept electrical items, but there are alternative ways to dispose of these.  

Find out how to dispose of of electricals.

DIY and construction waste

Some recycling centres accept small quantities of DIY and construction waste, providing you have completed the work yourself and it is from your own household.

Find out which centres take DIY and construction waste, and what can be taken there.

What items we cannot accept

Hazardous waste

The following items cannot be taken to any ECC recycling centre. You must arrange a separate collection or disposal of these items:

  • asbestos
  • chemical waste 
  • clinical waste
  • dead animals
  • fireworks, ammunition and explosives
  • fuel
  • gas cylinders
  • japanese knotweed
  • ragwort

Find out how to dispose of household hazardous waste. 

Business, trade and commercial waste

This is not accepted at any ECC recycling centre. 

Find out how to dispose of business and trade waste.