Essex tip charges, van permits and opening times

What the tip charges

What Essex says it charges
Item	Price
RubbleUp to 3 wheelbarrow loads (or 1 car boot) per visit; Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Pitsea, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden only	Free
SoilUp to 3 wheelbarrow loads (or 1 car boot) per visit (combined limit with rubble/plasterboard); Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Pitsea, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden only	Free
Plasterboard (gypsum-based products)Within the 3 wheelbarrow loads per visit limit; Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Pitsea, Rayleigh, Saffron Walden only	Free
TyresAccepted at any ECC recycling centre (on or off rim)	Free
AsbestosNot accepted at any ECC recycling centre	Not accepted
Gas bottlesGas cylinders not accepted; gas canisters up to 500ml accepted	Not accepted
Large ceramic items (toilets, basins), doors, window frames, kitchen elementsWithin per-visit limits at DIY centres	Free

Free DIY allowance

No charges published. Per single visit you may not exceed: soil, rubble, gypsum-based products (plasterboard) up to 3 wheelbarrow loads (or 1 car boot); tiles up to 1 wheelbarrow load; large ceramic items up to 3; 1 window frame; up to 3 internal wooden doors; 1 door; 1 built-in kitchen element. Must be your own work from your own home; DIY accepted at 10 centres only.

From Essex's pages, quoted or summarised.

In England, councils can't charge householders for their own DIY waste up to two 50 litre bags, or one item up to 2000 x 750 x 700mm, per visit, for up to four visits in four weeks. They can charge above that. Check your load.

Vans, pickups and trailers

No permit scheme stated: Free (van booking)

No permit, but vans, pick-ups and large (multi-axle) trailers must book a van slot and are only accepted at Braintree, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Clacton, Colchester, Harlow, Maldon, Pitsea and Saffron Walden (other sites only for Blue Badge holders). Vehicles 3.5t or over, agricultural vehicles, horse boxes/trailers and tipping flatbeds not accepted. Hire vehicles: bring hire agreement.

Van and trailer rules on the council's site

Do I need to book?

Booking required

Book a slot for every visit (free), unless Blue Badge holder, pedestrian or cyclist. ECC may cancel multiple bookings in a seven-day period deemed excessive. Phone 0345 743 0430 if unable to book online.

Book with the council

Proof of address

Not stated

Must live in the ECC statutory area; staff may ask for proof of residency (council tax bill or driving licence) and booking confirmation. Some sites open to nearby Suffolk/Hertfordshire residents by reciprocal arrangement.

Mattresses and sofas

Sofas and furniture: Accepted at all recycling centres (separate POPs container), no charge stated

What the council accepts

All 21 tips and opening hours

Opening hours are our short summary of the council's page. Bank holiday and Christmas hours often differ.

Good to know

21 recycling centres. Essex County Council covers the county excluding Southend and Thurrock unitaries. Paint reuse (Community RePaint) and large electrical donation points at some sites.