New van system at recycling centres from 2 January 2027

Van owners in Nottinghamshire will need to book an appointment to visit recycling centres from 2 January 2027 as part of plans to tackle trade waste abuse at sites across the county. Vans will also need to re-register and will be limited to six visits a year, with Luton vans, box vans, flat beds and any vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes in gross vehicle weight added to the list of prohibited vehicles. The new rules come as part of Nottinghamshire County Council's plan to strengthen existing measures to prevent trade waste at recycling centres, reduce costs of disposing of trade waste and improve customer experience for residents. Trade waste is not accepted at recycling centres but 2024/25 tonnage data suggests that Nottinghamshire had 70% more garden waste, 75% more plasterboard, 86% more rubble and 63% more wood, chipboard and MDF compared to Derbyshire, costing the county council an additional £1.6million in disposal costs. From 2 January 2027, residents with vans will be required to book an appointment online and choose from three sites available on any given day. Each recycling centre will be available every four days on a rota system. Van owners are reminded that they will be turned away from sites if they do not have a pre-booked appointment. From the autumn, visitors to recycling centres will be given a leaflet to advise of the upcoming changes, and to let van drivers know how to book an appointment to visit their nearest recycling centre where appropriate. The public will be kept fully informed of these changes in good time. Councillor Bert Bingham, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "Our recycling centres are for Nottinghamshire residents to dispose of their household waste, and we have a responsibility to ensure they are used fairly and efficiently. 'Residents have told us their concerns about trade waste abuse at our recycling centres and we're acting on this to improve the experience of visiting one of our sites. 'The amount of certain types of waste being brought to our sites could suggest that trade waste is placing an increased pressure on our sites that leads to residents being turned away as well as creating higher disposal costs. "These changes are being put in place to strengthen the measures already in place and to improve the overall experience for residents. By introducing a booking system for vans and limiting the number of visits each year, we can better manage demand, tackle abuse and help ensure our recycling centres remain accessible and sustainable for residents to use."