Household waste and recycling centres
You need to book a time slot for each visit to our household waste and recycling centres. Gateshead Council will process the information you submit in accordance with our privacy notice.
Cowen Road household waste and recycling centre, Blaydon
Cowen Road, Blaydon, Gateshead, NE21 5TW
Campground household waste and recycling centre, Wrekenton
Springwell Road, Wrekenton, Gateshead, NE9 7XW
Please continue to carry out social distancing at our household waste and recycling centres to help protect other members of the public and site staff.
To protect the safety of our staff and our residents, there are still certain restrictions in place:
- anyone in self isolation or with COVID-19 symptoms must not visit under any circumstances
- if your household has had Covid-19 symptoms the waste should be left for 72 hours before being brought to site, and the waste should be double bagged
- cars with trailers, eligible 4x4 vehicles with trailers, vans and pick up vehicles will require a permit for each visit. The new system means these can be scanned on a mobile phone. When you arrive at the centre, you should show your permit through your vehicle window so it can be scanned by site staff
- social distancing at 2 metres is still advised and staff cannot assist the public in unloading
- only one person can leave the vehicle while on site, unless the item is heavy then one other adult from the same household can help
- proof of address may be required, please display in car windscreen
- you should wash your hands before and after visiting sites and avoid touching your face
Before travelling to our household waste and recycling centres
You should consider alternative ways to dispose of your unwanted items. Giving away furniture and other items in good condition to be reused or repurposed is more environmentally-friendly.
Find out more ways to reduce and reuse.
Please consider
- making use of retailer take-back services
- donating to local charities or not-for-profits such as Foundations Furniture, St Oswald's Hospice or Community Transport
- giving away items on reuse websites including Freecycle, Freegle or in local social media groups
- checking the Reuse Network to see if small businesses or charities in your area can mend or repurpose your furniture and appliances instead
- listing items on online marketplace sites like eBay, Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace
Visiting our household waste and recycling centres
You must make a booking for each visit you plan to make to our household waste and recycling centres. There is no limit on the number of bookings you can make, so you can multiple bookings if needed.
If you need support completing the online form, watch our how to book video. Bookings can also be made by contacting our Customer Services team on 0191 433 7000.
Appointments are available 2 weeks in advance.
You should arrive any time within your 30 minute time slot, you do not have to arrive at the beginning of the slot. As the 30 minute time slot is for your arrival only, you can continue unloading your vehicle after your time slot has ended if needed. We reserve the right to refuse entry if you arrive outside of your allocated time. If you arrive a little early or late, we may be able to let you in if there is space for your vehicle to be unloaded safely. If the site is busy you may be asked to leave and return during your booked time slot - or you may be asked to rebook if you are late.
Please show your booking reference email on entry to the household waste and recycling centre. You can show it to staff on your mobile phone through your vehicle window, or you can print it out if you don't have a mobile device. Site attendants will be also be able to find and confirm your booking using your vehicle registration if you do not have a mobile device or printer. You should also show your waste permit if your vehicle requires one.
View more information about the new system on our bookings information page.
You may be asked to show proof of address to verify your booking and confirm you live in Gateshead or Sunderland. Our household waste and recycling centres are only open to Gateshead and Sunderland residents (Sunderland residents can use Campground only).
Please be aware there is a height barrier at the entrance, and vehicles must be under 2.3 metres to access the recycling centres.
Changing your appointment
To cancel or amend your booking you can follow the link in your confirmation email, or call our Customer Services team.
Opening times
Both of our recycling centres are open seven days a week, all year round excluding Christmas Day.
Monday to Sunday - 9am to 6pm
Campground household waste and recycling centre, Wrekenton
Springwell Road, Wrekenton, Gateshead NE9 7XW
Cowen Road household waste and recycling centre, Blaydon
Cowen Road, Blaydon, Gateshead NE21 5TW
What waste you can bring
- bagged general household waste
- garden waste
- cardboard
- wood
- bulky waste such as old furniture
- small domestic appliances which do not need help from staff to be lifted, for example vacuum cleaners, toasters, kettles, microwaves, lawnmowers
- televisions and computers
- batteries - these can cause fires and need to be disposed of in the dedicated battery recycling bins or electricals in the correct containers. They should not be placed in the general waste skip. Please ask a site attendant if you are unsure
- small fridges
- metals
- soil
- rubble (up to 6 bin bags)
- plasterboard (limit of 5 bags or 3 sheets)
- large electrical appliances, for example ovens
- fluorescent tubes
- engine and vegetable oil
- textiles including carpet or rugs
- tyres (up to 4 tyres)
- household recycling for example plastic, cans, glass, papers
View our A to Z of recycling for more details about what can be recycled at our household waste and recycling centres.