Reading tips: charges, permits and opening times
South East
- Charges10 items charged
- BookingRequired
- VansPermit needed
- Proof of addressNeeded
What the tip charges
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Rubble / hardcore (bricks, rubble, concrete, paving slabs, roof tiles, stones/gravel/sand)per 25 litre bag. Above free allowance; card only, prices incl. VAT | £3.20 |
| Soilper 25 litre bag. Above free allowance | £3.20 |
| Plasterboard / plaster or gypsumper 25 litre bag. Above free allowance (price list wording: 'Plaster or gypsum (per 25l bag)') | £1.60 |
| TyresAccepted, maximum of 4 car tyres; no charge stated | No charge published |
| Asbestos (bonded)per 20kg. Up to 60kg within free allowance (FCC site page); excess weighed to nearest 20kg; book separately, counts as one of four visits | £8.40 |
| Gas bottles (refillable)per item. Disposable cylinders free; over 15kg, air cylinders and SCUBA not accepted; not covered by DIY allowance | £3.00 |
| Bathroom items (bath, sink, pedestal, toilet pan/cistern, shower tray/screen, bidet, cabinets)each. Above free allowance | £3.20 |
| Kitchen items (sink, cupboard, worktop 200x75cm)each. Above free allowance | £3.20 |
| Timber DIY (fence panel, fence post, shed panel, door frames, decking, garage door, fire surround)each / per 200x75cm / per 25l bag. Above free allowance | £3.20 |
| Windows and doors (internal door, window, window frame, greenhouse panel)each. Above free allowance | £3.20 |
| Other DIY (radiator/storage heater, boiler, fireplace, wood burner, loft insulation, roofing felt, turf, sheet glass, cladding)each / per 200x75cm / per 25l bag. Above free allowance; metal DIY items (metal radiators, garage doors) free | £3.20 |
What the council says about dates: From 1 December 2025 (price list dated Oct 2025)
Free DIY allowance
Per visit, up to 100 litres of rubble, soil, plasterboard, gravel, wood chippings or asbestos, or one bulky sanitary ware item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm; DIY waste free on a maximum of 4 occasions in any 4-week period. Excess in a single visit is chargeable. All other household waste free.
From Reading'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
Permit needed
Commercial vehicle permit needed for vans (excl. box vans), sign-written vehicles, pick-ups and cars with trailers per the re3 permit criteria chart; applied for through the booking system. Box vans and horse boxes not permitted. Cost not stated.
Do I need to book?
Booking required
Book a slot (rolling 7 days); reschedule/cancel up to 3h before. Booking at bookings.bookinglab.co.uk/re3.
Proof of address
Yes, bring proof of address
Only people paying council tax to Bracknell Forest, Reading or Wokingham. Bring one of: driving licence, current council tax bill, utility or bank/credit card statement (last 4 months), photocard bus pass, Blue Badge or residents parking permit.
Mattresses and sofas
- Mattresses
- Accepted; no charge mentioned
- Sofas and furniture
- Accepted; upholstered domestic seating goes to a separate bay; no charge mentioned
All 2 tips and opening hours
- Smallmead Recycling CentreIsland Road, Reading, RG2 0RP7 days; 8am-6pm (1 Oct-31 Mar), 8am-8pm (1 Apr-30 Sep); closes 4pm Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; closed 25, 26 Dec and 1 Jan. Booking required.
- Longshot Lane Recycling CentreLongshot Lane, Bracknell, RG12 1RL7 days; 8am-6pm (1 Oct-31 Mar), 8am-8pm (1 Apr-30 Sep); closes 4pm Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; closed 25, 26 Dec and 1 Jan. Booking required.
Opening hours are our short summary of the council's page. Bank holiday and Christmas hours often differ.
Good to know
Shared re3 sites with Bracknell Forest and Wokingham. Pedestrians/cyclists with waste should make themselves known to staff. Paid trade waste service for micro businesses.