Book a slot to visit a Household Waste Recycling Centre

Restricted vehicles

If you drive a restricted vehicle (such as a van or pick-up truck), you must apply for a vehicle voucher before booking a slot. Find out if your vehicle is restricted and how to get a voucher.

All of our recycling centres have a 2m (6’ 6”) height barrier.

Medway household recycling centre bookings

Medway Council no longer allow Kent residents (those who do not pay their Council Tax to Medway Council) to use any of their 3 Medway Council household recycling centres:

• Capstone
• Cuxton
• Hoath Way.

Residents who live outside Kent

If you live outside of Kent (including Medway), you must pay £10 per visit. Read our cross border policy for more details.

To visit you must book a slot using our online booking form.

You can:

• book an on the day slot
• attend as many times as you want through multiple bookings
• only bring household waste
• book up to 1 month in advance
• only attend the recycling centre you book a slot for.

We will ask for your:

• name
• email address
• postal address
• vehicle make, model and registration.

Book your slot

If you cannot access the online booking system, call 03000 41 73 73 (Text Relay 18001 03000 41 73 73).

To find out how we'll use the information you provide, read our privacy notice.

After booking

Once you have booked you will receive an email confirming:

• slot date and time
• reference number.

Your reference number is required when you visit on the day, or if you need to cancel or rearrange.

To cancel or rearrange your booking, follow the cancellation link at the bottom of your confirmation email. You may be restricted in the future if you have repeated unused bookings.

Your vehicle registration number cannot be changed on your booking. If you need to use a different vehicle (non-restricted vehicles only, unless you have a valid vehicle voucher), take your booking reference with you and explain to site staff on arrival.

Any vehicle used must adhere to site policies.

Before your visit, make sure you bring your:

• booking reference number. This can be shown on either a smartphone, a printed statement or a handwritten note
• valid vehicle voucher with you (if applicable).

Sort your waste before you visit

We work really hard to recycle and reuse 99.6% of the waste received at our recycling centres. You can help by separating your items such as textiles, electrical items and wood before you arrive. Our friendly staff can help you if you have any questions.

Check out our handy tips on sorting out your waste before visiting.

Delays in accessing our recycling centres

You should make sure you arrive within your booking time slot.

Sometimes, staff may ask you to wait before entering the site. During this time we are carrying out operations, where no cars can be on site. Your booking is still valid during this time, so please be patient with our team.

Your health and safety

When you arrive on site, you will be directed where to go. You will also be told which bins are for your waste.

You will need to unload your waste and put it in the appropriate bins. Please ensure you load your vehicle in a way that allows you to empty your vehicle at the recycling centre.

Our staff may help you where possible. However, they must not lift or remove heavy builder's bags or HIPPOBAGS. These bags are not designed to be moved by hand. According to our Equalities Impact Assessment, we can help customers with a protected characteristic. This includes age, disability, or pregnancy. Customers with a protected characteristic can get help by selecting ‘assistance request’ when booking.

Please continue to respect others who may wish to maintain social distance, both other customers and staff.

Terms and conditions of visiting

When visiting, you must note that:

• abusive behaviour towards staff or other customers will not be tolerated and you could be banned
• centre rules must be adhered to
• those who do not comply may be asked to leave and may be banned
• we reserve the right to request proof of residency to visit a KCC recycling centre
• the centre may have to close temporarily or for longer periods with no warning if required
• security measures will be in place at the sites and body worn cameras will be used as required to ensure customers and staff safety
• any flytipped items left outside centre entrances or access roads is a crime. You can report flytpping online.

Read our operating policies.

The disposal of all general household waste or green garden waste is free of charge. Many types of household waste can be recycled, so it's worth checking and separating your waste before you visit.

Find out what you can bring to our recycling centres

Chargeable waste

Learn more about our limits and charges.

Or find out how you can:

• recycle some of your household waste recycling products
• contact your local borough council for kerbside collection.

Business waste

Business waste is not accepted at the recycling centres. This waste must be taken to a transfer station, permitted waste station or pay a licensed company to collect it.

COVID-19 waste

If you are disposing of waste contaminated or potentially contaminated with COVID-19, please:

• double bag the material
• store the bag securely for 72 hours.

You must follow the above before bringing this waste to the centre or putting it out for kerbside collection.

The system was introduced during the first lockdown in 2020. It was to ensure social distancing at the recycling centres without causing traffic queues.

Following a public consultation held in 2021, and a debate at the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee, the Cabinet Member for Environment has taken the decision to keep the booking system on a permanent basis.

The booking system was kept in place following the lockdown restrictions ending because:

• it has virtually eliminated queuing at our recycling centres
• we have improved our original booking system in response to resident feedback
• residents have said they like the convenience and certainty of a booked slot
• it has not resulted in an influx of fly-tipping.

In Kent, fly-tipping has reduced slightly. This matches the experiences of other authorities with a booking system. This is also reflected in the results of a national report for Defra. The report concludes there is no evidence of a link between household waste recycling centre booking systems and more fly-tipping.