Reading Recycling Centre and Rubbish Tip

Junk Diaries

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Recycling centre and rubbish tip information summary for Reading residents

Are you looking for information about your local Reading recycling centre? We've written this handy guide for Reading householders with details about both tips in Reading. It includes a map, opening hours, accepted items and more.

Address

There are two recycling centre sites in Reading, both operated by re3 recycling. Their addresses:

• Reading site - Smallmead Recycling Centre, Island Road, Reading, RG2 0RP
• Bracknell site - Longshot Lane Recycling Centre, Longshot Lane, Bracknell, RG12 1RL

Location map of Reading recycling centre sites

Opening hours

These opening hours apply for both sites:

• 08:00 – 18:00 (1 October – 31 March)
• 08:00 – 20:00 (1 April – 30 September)
• Open 7 days a week
• Early 4pm close on Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve
• Closed all day on Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day.

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Booking required?

Yes, booking is required. Follow this link to book a slot up to 7 days in advance, at either recycling centre. Booking closes 1 hour before the slot time. Remember that:

• You need your confirmation email to enter
• 1 slot = 1 entry. You aren’t allowed to leave and re-enter during your allocated time. 
• 1 slot allows you 30 minutes inside
• You are limited to booking 1 slot per week

You’ll need to present evidence that you’re a Reading, Bracknell Forest or Wokingham resident to enter either recycling centre. Bring your driving license or an official document/ bill that has your address on it.

Access information

Regular cars and bicycles can enter the site without needing any extra permits. However, if you have one of the following vehicles, you need a permit:

• A regular car plus 6ft+ trailer or horsebox less than 10ft
• Pick up truck

Apply for a permit as part of the booking process. 

Large/ box vans and large trailers/ horseboxes are not permitted on the site at all. See re3’s page on vehicle restrictions for details. 

There is no information about whether pedestrians can access the site. It is best to check by contacting the site (see further down).

Items accepted at Reading tips

Most household items are accepted at both Reading recycling centre sites. Items you can dispose of for free include:

Aerosols	Batteries + car batteries	Cans/tins, glass bottles, jars
Cardboard, paper and card	Carpets	Clothes, shoes, fabrics/ textiles
Electronics (computers, laptops, monitors, printers, phones and speakers)	Cookers, ovens, microwaves	Cooking oil
Engine oil	Fire extinguishers	Fluorescent tubes
Fridges and freezers	Furniture	Garden waste
General waste	Household chemicals	Light bulbs
Mattresses	Metals (alimunium, brass, copper, steel)	Paint
Pesticides	Tetrapaks	Washing machines & dryers
Window frames	Wood & timber

Items you will be charged for include:

Abestos (see below)	Bathroom suites - £1.50 per 25L bag or per item	DIY (construction waste, rubble) - £2.50 per 25L bag or per single item
Gas bottles - £6 per canister	Plasterboard - £1/50 per 25L bag	Soil - £2.50 per 25L bag

To dispose of asbestos you need to make a click & tip booking between the hours of 8:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday or 8:00 – 12:00 Saturday. 

• Call 0800 988 3023 to let the centre know what time you’ll be coming
• Double wrap asbestos in thick, durable plastic sheeting and seal well before bringing to the site
• Use the onsite weighbridge for your asbestos; asbestos weight is rounded to the nearest 20kg (the minimum charge) - £8.00/ 20kg bonded asbestos

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Prohibited waste

You cannot bring the following waste to either Reading tip:

• Gas canisters over 15kg, air cylinders or SCUBA bottles.
• Livestock waste
• Fireworks, flares, ammunition, and other forms of explosives
• Clinical/medical waste including needles and syringes
• Petrol, diesel, paraffin, and oil tanks
• Solar panels
• Tarmac
• Trade waste

See how to dispose of your trade/ commercial waste here. 

Reuse options

The re3 reuse scheme means you can donate reusable items at either recycling centre. Re3 works with Sye Ryder and Precycle to reuse donated items that have a lease of life left. 

Desirable items include:

• Bicycles
• Books
• Bric a brac
• China and crockery
• Furniture
• Lamps
• Pots and pans
• Pushchairs, cots, prams
• Toys

Other information

Here are contact details for the recycling centres:

• Contact number: 0800 988 3023
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://re3.fccenvironment.co.uk/site-facilities/

Arrive with plenty of time to avoid queues and delays. 

Google reviews

The Reading site has a rating of 4.4* while the Bracknell site has a 4.3*. Users complement the booking process but there are some complaints about not being let in without confirmation emails - so remember to have all the necessary documents with you!

Finally...

Thanks for reading! We hope this article about Reading recycling centre sites has been useful. Any questions or updates about Brighton's recycling centres, drop us a line at [email protected]. As a Reading householder, you may find these articles useful:

• Rubbish Clearance Reading - a guide to bulky waste collection in Reading, including the council service, skip hire and more.
• Freecycle Reading Guide - how to reuse your larger items and stop them going to landfill in Reading.

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