Household waste and recycling centres
Our household waste and recycling centres are now open following social distancing guidelines.
Please only visit if it's essential.
Journeys to waste sites are only allowed under the lockdown restrictions if the waste materials cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury or harm to health. To make sure that our facilities can operate within the guidelines, and to protect the safety of our staff and our residents, there are 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
- follow the new odd and even car number plate system to access the site to help manage traffic and reduce queuing
- there are restrictions on the types of waste you can bring
- only cars, car-derived vans and pick ups will be allowed, no large vans, vehicle trailers or commercial vehicles of any type will be allowed on site until further notice
- car-derived vans and pick up vehicles will require a permit
- the permit system for large vans and vehicles towing trailers is suspended until further notice
- social distancing at 2 metres will be strictly enforced 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
- traffic management will be in place at the site and priority will be given to bin wagons
- sites will be regularly cleaned
- 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
Opening times
Both of our sites will temporarily be open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week.
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 i.e. vacuum cleaners, toasters, kettles, microwaves, lawnmowers
- televisions and computers
- small fridges
Unfortunately, we currently cannot accept the following items
- metals
- soil
- rubble
- plasterboard
- large electrical appliances, for example ovens
- fluorescent tubes
- engine and vegetable oil
- textiles
- household recycling for example plastic, cans, glass, papers
Odd and even number plate system
We expect our recycling centres will be extremely busy. We are temporarily introducing an odd and even number plate system to help us manage traffic and reduce queuing. This means you can only visit the recycling centres on certain days depending on your vehicle number plate.
How it works
If the last number of your vehicle number plate is 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 this is an even number plate.
Examples of even number plates:
RL34 JGS
The last number is 4.
V952 GHD
The last number is 2.
PRIV8 A0
The last number is 0.
If the last number of your vehicle number plate is 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 this is an odd number plate.
Examples of odd number plates:
GJ25 HJK
The last number is 5.
Y247 NJF
The last number is 7.
PRIV8 A3
The last number is 3.
Please only visit on the day indicated below.
| Date | Vehicle number plates |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 8 July | Even |
| Thursday 9 July | Odd |
| Friday 10 July | Even |
| Saturday 11 July | Odd |
| Sunday 12 July | Even |
| Monday 13 July | Odd |
| Tuesday 14 July | Even |
| Wednesday 15 July | Odd |
| Thursday 16 July | Even |
| Friday 17 July | Odd |
| Saturday 18 July | Even |
| Sunday 19 July | Odd |
| Monday 20 July | Even |
| Tuesday 21 July | Odd |
| Wednesday 22 July | Even |
| Thursday 23 July | Odd |
| Friday 24 July | Even |
| Saturday 25 July | Odd |
| Sunday 26 July | Even |
| Monday 27 July | Odd |
| Tuesday 28 July | Even |
| Wednesday 29 July | Odd |
| Thursday 30 July | Even |
| Friday 31 July | Odd |
Watch our video which explains everything you need to know when you get to the centre.
