Hailsham HWRC: Opening Times, Booking, Waste Rules & Charges
Plan a Hailsham Household Waste Recycling Site visit with the correct seasonal hours, compulsory booking, vehicle restrictions, accepted materials, DIY-waste allowances, non-resident charge and live access warning.
Roadworks are affecting access to the site. Approach from Station Road to the north or Old Swan Lane from the east where possible, and check the live roadworks map before travelling.
Do you need to book Hailsham recycling centre?
Yes. Drivers, van users, pedestrians and cyclists must book before visiting. Appointments can be made on the same day or up to two weeks in advance.
Use the correct vehicle registration. Bring your confirmation, proof that the waste belongs to an East Sussex household and hire paperwork where applicable.
Summer, winter, weekend and bank-holiday hours
The weekday closing time changes in October. Weekend and published bank-holiday hours remain shorter throughout the year.
| Period | Monday–Friday | Saturday–Sunday | Bank holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April–30 September | 8am–5pm | 9am–1pm | 9am–1pm |
| 1 October–31 March | 8am–4pm | 9am–1pm | 9am–1pm |
Quieter visit strategy
Weekday mornings outside school-run and commuter periods are often easier than short weekend sessions, but a booking remains compulsory.
Late arrival
Staff will try to help, but entry can be refused where the following slot is full or the site is approaching closing time.
Container emptying pause
The site may temporarily stop entry while skips are exchanged. A valid appointment remains usable once the site reopens.
Unexpected closure
Extreme weather or an operational incident can cancel bookings. Monitor the confirmation contact details and live site page.
How to book Hailsham household waste recycling site
Check that Hailsham accepts every item
Hailsham accepts a broad household range but does not take plasterboard, tyres or bonded asbestos.
Check Hailsham’s current waste listChoose the correct visitor type
Select car, van, hire vehicle, taxi, pedestrian or cyclist accurately. Incorrect vehicle details can lead to refused entry.
Review vehicle and access rulesSelect an available time
Book on the same day or up to 14 days ahead. Most Hailsham appointments use a 30-minute arrival window.
Choose an official slotPrepare the booking evidence
Keep the confirmation and current East Sussex proof of address ready. Hire-vehicle users must also bring the hire agreement.
Check accepted residency documentsSort the load before departure
Separate oils, chemicals, batteries, electricals, garden waste, soil and rubble so each stream can be unloaded safely.
Use the Hailsham item checkerCancel or amend when plans change
Use the link in the confirmation email. Repeated unused bookings can lead to future booking restrictions.
Manage the booking correctlyTelephone booking help: call 0345 60 80 194. The contact centre is open Monday–Thursday 8:30am–5pm and Friday 8:30am–4:30pm.
What can you take to Hailsham HWRC?
Everyday recycling
Aluminium foil, books, cans, tins, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, newspapers, magazines, junk mail and printer cartridges.
Electrical and batteries
Household electrical devices, fridges, freezers, TVs, monitors, mobile phones, household batteries and car batteries.
Household and bulky items
Furniture, mattresses, carpets, underlay, metal scrap, wood, MDF and general non-trade household waste.
Garden, oils and chemicals
Green garden waste, Christmas trees, cooking oil, engine oil, paint and small household chemicals in sealed labelled containers.
| Waste stream | Accepted detail | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and shoes | Clothes, shoes, handbags and belts. | Keep reusable material clean and dry. |
| Household chemicals | Small amounts such as weedkiller, pesticide, bleach and white spirit. | Use sealed, clearly labelled original containers where possible. |
| Electrical goods | White goods, kitchen appliances, technology, tools, lamps and smoke alarms. | Remove personal data and loose batteries where practical. |
| Paint | Water-based emulsion and solvent-based household paint. | Keep lids secure and do not mix paint types. |
| Oils | Household cooking oil and engine oil. | Keep the two oil types in separate sealed containers. |
| Nitrous oxide bottles | Household nitrous oxide containers. | Tell staff before unloading; do not place in metal or general waste. |
Textile exception: bedding, sheets, duvets and pillows are not recycled with clothes and shoes at Hailsham. Place them in general household waste unless they are accepted by a separate reuse organisation.
Can I take this item to Hailsham tip?
Select a waste type
Result: Select an item above.
Free allowance and £6.50 excess-charge calculator
Hailsham accepts small household quantities of rubble and soil. The weekly allowance runs from Monday to Sunday and applies across East Sussex sites, not separately at each centre.
| Material | Free allowance each week | Charge above allowance | Accepted at Hailsham? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardcore or rubble | Two 50-litre bags or one single item. | £6.50 per extra bag or item. | Yes |
| Soil | Two 50-litre bags. | £6.50 per extra bag. | Yes |
| Plasterboard | Two bags or one standard sheet at participating sites. | £6.50 per extra bag or sheet. | No |
| Bonded asbestos | No free allowance. | £8 per bag or sheet at participating sites. | No |
| Tyres | No free allowance. | £2.70 per tyre at participating sites. | No |
Hailsham charge estimator
Estimate: Enter the number of bags or items.
Charging rules that matter
- Payment is by card only.
- Different materials must not be mixed.
- Multiple part-filled bags are combined and rounded up.
- Loose loads are estimated by site staff.
- Visits to different East Sussex sites do not create a new allowance.
- Site staff make the final quantity and charge decision.
No plasterboard at Hailsham: do not book Hailsham solely for plasterboard. Use the East Sussex centre finder to select a site that specifically lists plasterboard.
Check your vehicle before booking
Vehicle access checker
Result: Select your vehicle or arrival method.
Published Hailsham limits
- Vehicle height limit: 2 metres.
- Vans: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday only.
- Van maximum gross vehicle weight: below 3,500kg.
- No Luton, flatbed, tipper, cage or box-style vehicles.
- Trailer maximum: 1.2 metres excluding towbar.
- Pedestrians and cyclists use the main entrance.
- Large tonne bags or Hippo-style bags are not allowed.
Work-van checks: a landscaping van carrying garden waste or a tradesperson’s van carrying work-related material can be refused as trade waste, even when the driver lives in East Sussex.
Save your Hailsham booking and arrival checklist
My booked visit
Saved visit board
No visit saved. Make the official booking before saving the details here.
Donate usable items instead of throwing them away
The Hailsham reuse shop operates during the main site’s opening hours. A recycling-site booking is required to visit the shop.
Ask before disposing
Show usable furniture, household items, books and bric-a-brac to staff before placing them into a waste container.
Payment options
Hailsham’s reuse shop accepts cash and card. Ask for a receipt when purchasing an item.
No electrical reuse-shop items
Electrical goods are recycled through the site but are not accepted or sold through East Sussex reuse shops.
Soil conditioner
Pro-Grow soil conditioner may be sold depending on stock. Hailsham accepts cash and card for available products.
Waste that needs another site or service
| Waste | Hailsham rule | Alternative action |
|---|---|---|
| Plasterboard | Not listed as accepted. | Choose an East Sussex HWRC that specifically accepts plasterboard. |
| Bonded asbestos | Not accepted. | Use Eastbourne, Hastings, Heathfield or Newhaven after checking asbestos rules. |
| Car tyres | Not accepted. | Use an accepting East Sussex site or a tyre-fitting business. |
| Trade and landlord waste | Strictly prohibited. | Use a licensed commercial waste facility. |
| Foreign-registered vehicle | Booking not accepted. | Contact East Sussex County Council for guidance before travelling. |
| Unidentified dangerous material | Do not arrive without advice. | Contact the council or an authorised hazardous-waste contractor. |
No fly-tipping: never leave waste outside the locked entrance or beside a full container. This can lead to enforcement action and a fixed penalty.
Address, access and directions
Hailsham HWRC
Address:
Off Station Road
Hailsham
East Sussex
BN27 2BY
- Book before travelling.
- Check current Station Road roadworks.
- Approach from the north or Old Swan Lane where advised.
- Use the correct vehicle registration.
- Do not park outside and carry waste in without a booking.
When another recycling centre may be more suitable
Eastbourne
Useful for bonded asbestos, tyres, plasterboard and waste types not accepted at Hailsham. Check its separate opening and trailer rules.
Heathfield
Accepts bonded asbestos and plasterboard, but does not allow pedestrian or cyclist access.
Newhaven
Accepts bonded asbestos, tyres and plasterboard. Confirm distance, booking and vehicle limits before changing site.
Hailsham local bring sites
For small everyday recycling, local banks may accept glass, cans, paper, cartons or plastic bottles without a full HWRC trip.
Hailsham HWRC links for final actions
Information checked: 26 June 2026. Roadworks, opening hours, charges, accepted materials and booking availability can change. Use the live council page immediately before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book Hailsham recycling centre?
Yes. Every driver, pedestrian and cyclist must book before visiting. Same-day appointments are possible where a slot is available, and bookings open up to two weeks ahead.
What are Hailsham tip opening times?
From April to September it opens Monday–Friday 8am–5pm and weekends 9am–1pm. From October to March weekdays are 8am–4pm, with weekends 9am–1pm.
Where is Hailsham Household Waste Recycling Site?
The site is off Station Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, BN27 2BY. Current roadworks may affect the normal approach, so check the live access notice.
What proof of address should I bring?
Accepted evidence includes a driving licence, current Council Tax bill, recent utility bill, bank statement, tenancy agreement, qualifying official letter, East Sussex bus pass or Blue Badge.
Can non-East Sussex residents use Hailsham tip?
Yes, but the current charge is £8.75 per household visit, paid by debit or credit card on arrival. Select the non-resident option when booking.
Can I take a van to Hailsham recycling centre?
Vans are allowed only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. They must be below 3,500kg and cannot be Luton, flatbed, tipper, cage or box-style vehicles.
What is the maximum trailer size at Hailsham?
The published maximum trailer length is 1.2 metres, excluding the towbar. Book the towing car or permitted van correctly.
How much does rubble or soil cost at Hailsham?
The weekly free allowance is two 50-litre bags of soil, or two bags or one item of rubble. Each additional bag or item currently costs £6.50.
Does Hailsham tip accept plasterboard, tyres or asbestos?
No. Hailsham does not list these materials as accepted. Choose another East Sussex site that specifically accepts the material and follow its booking and charging rules.
Is there a reuse shop at Hailsham recycling centre?
Yes. It normally follows the main site’s opening hours and accepts cash and card. A recycling-site booking is required to visit the shop.