Booking system FAQs

From 1 April 2025, if you want to take your household waste and recycling to one of our five Household Recycling Centres (HRC), you'll need to book a time slot in advance of your visit.

Why are we introducing a booking system?

The booking system is being introduced to improve the user experience by reducing queues and allowing staff more time to assist residents.  It also aims to reduce non-legitimate use of the recycling centres by commercial operators and users from outside the county.

What benefits are there for residents?

The booking system will reduce congestion and queuing times outside of the sites as well as improving the operation of the facilities. Your visit will be easier and take less time. Staff will also have more time to help visitors who may need advice and/or assistance on site.
 

Do other councils use booking systems?

Many other councils already use booking systems at their recycling centres. Out of the 22 Welsh local authorities, 12 others already have some kind of booking system in place. Our two neighbouring authorities in England, Shropshire and Herefordshire, also operate booking systems.

Where councils have asked their residents whether they are happy with the booking system, the vast majority (over 80% in Conwy for example) have wanted to keep them in place.

When will the booking system start?

The booking system will be implemented from 1 April 2025. From this time anyone wanting to use a HRC will need to book a slot prior to visiting. You will be able to book your first time slot from 25 March 2025.

How far in advance can I book a time slot?

You'll be able to book a time slot up to seven days in advance of your visit. In many cases you'll be able to book on the same day. The first bookings can be made from 25 March 2025. 

Will there be a charge to book a time slot?

No, the recycling centres remain free for Powys residents to dispose of and recycle their household waste. However, there may be charges for disposing of certain types of waste, such as DIY and building type waste. You can find out more information about that here

How do I make a booking?

You will be able to book a time slot quickly and easily online: www.powys.gov.uk/HRC

Simply follow the online instructions to book a time slot at your chosen Household Recycling Centre. You will need to provide your name, address, email address and the registration number of the vehicle you will be using for your visit.

Booking a time slot can also be made over the phone by calling: 01597 827465

I don't have access to the internet - can I still book an appointment? 

Yes, you can book a time slot over the phone by calling: 01597 827465.  

The phone line is open Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5pm (4:30pm on Friday), but a friend or relative can book online for you with your details.

How long are the time slots?

Each time slot will be for 10 minutes. This should be plenty of time to recycle all your waste correctly. To make the most out of your visit, please remember to sort and separate all your waste and recycling before you arrive on site. Mixed waste (recyclable and non-recyclable waste mixed together) will not be accepted.

The length of the time slots will be kept under review and adjusted if necessary to improve the customer experience.

Will I be able to visit the reuse shops during my time slot?

Yes, if there is a reuse shop operating at the HRC you are visiting, you will be able to visit it whilst on site.

I only want to visit the reuse shop. Do I still need to book a time slot?

No, initially you will not need to book a time slot to visit a reuse shop at one of the HRCs. However, we will keep this under review and if the sites become too congested, we may have to make changes.

Is there a limit to the number of times I can visit a HRC?

No, unless you are a Commercial Vehicle or Trailer permit user who are limited to 12 visits per year in their permitted vehicle.

Do I need to book every time I visit a HRC?

Yes, all visits to the HRCs will require a pre-booked timeslot to ensure smooth operation and avoid congestion at the sites

Can I book an appointment for a relative or friend?

Yes, but you must use their address and the registration number of the vehicle which will be used when visiting the HRC.

I'm not a Powys resident but need to clear the home/property of someone who lives in Powys (eg a relative who has passed away). Can I do this?

Our recycling centres are not suitable in these scenarios, hiring a skip or a house clearance company would be more appropriate.

What will happen when I arrive at the recycling centre? 

Staff will check your booking using your car registration number before allowing access to the HRC.

What happens if I turn up without a booking? 

You'll need to book a time slot to visit any of our five HRCs and will be turned away if you don't have one. Booking time slots can be done quickly online, if there is availability, you may be able to book a last-minute slot by visiting: www.powys.gov.uk/HRC

What happens if I arrive late for my time slot?

Depending on how late you are and how busy the site is, staff will try and be accommodating where possible. However, if the site is busy you may have to rebook and return at another time.

What if I need to cancel my booking?

We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel or amend your time slot booking, please follow the link on your confirmation email. You can also call 01597 827465 to cancel or amend your booking.

Will the opening hours of the recycling centres change?

No, the opening hours and days of operation will remain the same, you can find these here: www.powys.gov.uk/HRC

Can I walk or cycle to the recycling centre?

Yes, but you are still required to book a time slot to visit and must confirm whether you are traveling by bicycle or on foot.

Can I still book a time slot and use the recycling centre if I have a van or trailer?

Yes, if you have Commercial Vehicle or Trailer (CVT) permit. You can apply for a CVT permit online.

Do I still need a CVT permit?

Yes. If you are using a commercial vehicle or trailer for your visit, you will still need a CVT permit.

I have a CVT permit do I still need to book?

Yes, all visits to the Household Recycling Centres need to be pre-booked.

Can I use recycling centres in other counties?

No, you should only use Household Recycling Centres in the county where you live.

How do I dispose of trade or commercial waste or recycling? 

Trade and commercial waste or recycling cannot be taken to any of the Household Recycling Centres. If you need any advice or assistance with commercial waste, please visit: https://en.powys.gov.uk/commercialrecycling

Has the booking system been introduced by the new company running the Household Recycling Centres?

No, the decision to introduce a booking system was made by the council back in February 2024. Its implementation falls in line with the start of the new contracts.

From 1 April 2025, Bryson Recycling will manage and operate the Newtown, Llandrindod Wells, Brecon and Lower Cwmtwrch Household Recycling Centres. Welshpool Household Recycling Centre will continue to be run by Potter Group.

All five of the county's Household Recycling Centres, whether run by Bryson Recycling or Potter Group, will provide the same service. This includes the new booking system.

Will the booking system lead to a rise in fly-tipping?

It is important to remember that fly-tipping is illegal, offenders will be fined and could receive a criminal record.  It is not something that residents generally resort to. Any incidents of fly-tipping can be reported here

By introducing a booking system, we are not limiting the amount of household waste you can take to the recycling centres, just simply asking users to pre-book a time slot for their visit. Other councils that already have booking systems haven't found any evidence that the booking process has increased fly-tipping levels. 

In January 2023, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) carried out a study to find out if there were any links between recycling centre booking systems and incidents of fly-tipping. Surveys and interviews carried out with local authorities didn't show a link between booking systems and fly-tipping. 

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information, you can visit www.powys.gov.uk/recycle or email waste.contracts@powys.gov.uk