Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre: Opening Times, Booking & Rules
Plan a visit to Lincoln Recycling Centre at Great Northern Terrace, check whether it is open today, learn why most cars do not need a booking or permit, confirm van and trailer rules and sort household, electrical, garden, DIY and hazardous waste before travelling.
Do you need to book Lincoln Recycling Centre?
No appointment is currently required for a standard household visit in a normal car. The former booking system is no longer the normal access method.
A free e-permit is still required for vans, some commercial-style 4x4s and large trailers. Commercial or landlord waste is not accepted.
Opening hours today, weekends and bank holidays
Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre opens five days each week. Wednesday and Thursday are regular closure days.
Normal bank holidays
The centre keeps its normal opening pattern on other bank holidays.
Christmas closures
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Last safe arrival
Arrive before 3:50pm. The entrance may close early to clear vehicles by 4pm.
Emergency disruption
Check the official centre page and Lincolnshire HWRC updates before a long journey.
Is Lincoln Recycling Centre open now?
This helper uses the date and time on your device. It cannot detect temporary closures, incidents or emergency operational changes.
Today’s centre status
Status: Select the button to check the normal timetable.
Before setting off
No normal booking, but some vehicles need an e-permit
Residents sometimes search for a Lincoln tip booking form because an appointment system operated previously. Current access is not controlled through a standard visit-booking system.
| Visitor situation | Booking needed? | Permit needed? | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal household car | No | No | Visit during opening hours and arrive before 3:50pm. |
| Car with small trailer | No | No | Trailer must be no larger than 1.8m × 1.2m × 0.5m. |
| Van under the permitted size | No standard slot | Yes | Apply online for the free e-permit before visiting. |
| Light-goods 4×4 pickup | No standard slot | Yes | Check classification and size before applying. |
| Large trailer | No standard slot | Yes | Maximum permitted trailer size is 3.6m × 1.8m × 0.5m. |
| Commercial or landlord waste | Not applicable | Not valid | Use an authorised commercial-waste service. |
Permit is for the vehicle, not permission for business waste. Site staff can still refuse waste suspected to be commercial or outside household limits.
How to prepare for Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre
Check the day and live centre status
Confirm the site is open and check for a temporary closure before loading the vehicle.
Check Lincoln centre informationConfirm your vehicle access
Measure the vehicle and trailer. Apply for a free e-permit where required.
Check and apply for a vehicle permitSeparate the waste before travelling
Group cardboard, garden waste, metals, electricals, glass, textiles, oils and general waste.
Review accepted materialsPlace hazardous items where staff can identify them
Keep chemicals sealed and labelled. Tell staff about chemicals, oils or gas bottles before unloading.
Read the HWRC usage policyUnload safely and follow staff directions
Only take items you can lift safely. Use the correct containers and leave the site before closing.
Open directions to Great Northern TerraceAccepted waste at Lincoln Recycling Centre
Lincoln accepts a broad range of household waste. Quantity limits apply to oils, chemicals and small DIY loads.
Dry recycling
Cardboard, paper, books, mixed glass bottles and jars, food tins, drinks cans, aerosols, printer cartridges, textiles and clothes.
Electrical items
Small appliances, mobile phones, TVs, monitors, washing machines, dryers, fridges and freezers excluding ammonia or commercial units.
Garden and bulky household waste
Garden waste, wood, timber, mattresses, scrap metal and excess general household waste.
Controlled household materials
Batteries, car batteries, paint tins, gas bottles, fluorescent tubes, light bulbs, oils and household chemicals.
| Material | Lincoln centre limit or rule | Preparation |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking oil | Maximum five litres per vehicle per visit. | Use a sealed container and prevent leaks. |
| Used engine oil | Maximum five litres per vehicle per visit. | Keep separate from other fluids. |
| Household or garden chemicals | Maximum five litres per vehicle per visit. | Use sealed, undamaged and clearly labelled containers. |
| Soil, rubble and plasterboard | One small dustbin total per vehicle per day. | Separate the materials where staff direct. |
| Gas bottles | Standard household gas bottles can be accepted. | Return to the supplier first where possible; tell site staff. |
| Lithium traction batteries | Not accepted. | Return golf-cart or similar traction batteries to the supplier. |
Can I take this item to Great Northern Terrace?
Select an item
Result: Select an item above.
Loading order for a quicker visit
- Place the waste you will unload last at the front of the vehicle.
- Keep oils and chemicals upright and separate.
- Keep electrical items visible.
- Separate DIY waste from household rubbish.
- Avoid mixed black bags where recyclable material cannot be identified.
Cars, vans, trailers, hired vehicles and height limits
| Vehicle | Permit? | Main restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Normal car | No | Must be under two metres high. |
| MPV, SUV or car-classified 4×4 | Usually no | Seats must remain in place where applicable; vehicle under two metres. |
| Small trailer | No | Maximum 1.8m long, 1.2m wide and 0.5m high. |
| Van | Yes | Under two metres high, no longer than 5.8m, up to 3.5 tonnes and no trailer. |
| Light-goods 4×4 pickup | Yes | Under two metres, no longer than 5.8m, up to 3.5 tonnes and no trailer. |
| Large trailer | Yes | Maximum 3.6m long, 1.8m wide and 0.5m high. |
| Box or Luton van | Not eligible | Not permitted at the site. |
| Hired van | Yes | Hire period must be three days or less and all vehicle limits apply. |
No mechanical unloading: tipping mechanisms, ramps and tail lifts cannot be operated at the centre.
Do you need a Lincoln recycling centre permit?
Select your vehicle
Result: Select a vehicle first.
Free e-permit essentials
- Only one e-permit is approved per residential address.
- The permit is available to Lincolnshire households.
- It normally needs annual renewal.
- A permit does not allow commercial waste.
- Site staff can request a household-waste declaration.
Soil, rubble, plasterboard and renovation-waste limits
Small household DIY loads are accepted within strict quantity and visit limits. Larger renovation clearances need another disposal route.
| DIY rule | Maximum allowance | Practical meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Loose soil, rubble or plasterboard | 100 litres total | One small dustbin or two 50-litre black bags. |
| Single large DIY item | 2,000mm × 750mm × 700mm | An individual door, unit, panel or fitting must stay within this size. |
| Visit frequency | Four single visits in four weeks | Repeated DIY loads beyond this limit require another disposal method. |
| Large renovation project | Not a routine household-centre load | Consider a skip, licensed waste contractor or commercial facility. |
DIY allowance checker
Result: Enter the quantity and previous visits.
Common small DIY items
The policy includes baths, toilets, sinks, radiators, standard doors, kitchen units, worktops, shower trays, fence panels, roofing material and sheet glass.
Each item must remain within the size and visit rules.
Asbestos, chemicals, tyres, medicines and gas bottles
Asbestos
Do not arrive with asbestos as a normal load. Lincolnshire provides a separately arranged service for limited cement-bonded white asbestos using supplied bags and tags.
Chemicals and solvents
Use sealed, undamaged containers. Clearly label contents and tell site staff before disposal.
Vehicle tyres
Car and other motor-vehicle tyres are not accepted. A single bicycle tyre can go in residual waste.
Gas bottles
Return them to the supplier where possible. Otherwise tell site staff so they can direct you to the correct area.
| Material | Lincolnshire route | Important warning |
|---|---|---|
| Medicines | Return to a pharmacy. | Pharmaceuticals are not accepted at HWRCs. |
| Veterinary medicines | Return to the veterinary practice. | Do not place them in household containers. |
| Ammunition | Contact Lincolnshire Police. | Never take ammunition to the recycling centre. |
| Flares | Contact the Coastguard or police. | Flares are not accepted at HWRCs. |
| Engine parts | Use a licensed scrap merchant or vehicle breaker. | Engine parts are not classed as household waste. |
| Commercial waste | Use a licensed commercial-waste provider. | A residential vehicle permit does not make business waste acceptable. |
Rules that can cause refusal or delay
No pedestrian access
Pedestrians are not admitted because of vehicle movement and site-safety risks.
Bring your own lifting help
Visitors should be able to lift and unload their items. Avoid individual loads above approximately 25kg.
Sort before arrival
Large quantities of mixed recyclable waste can be refused until they are separated.
Follow staff instructions
Ignoring safety directions can result in refusal of entry or being directed to leave.
No collecting from containers
Once an item is placed in a site container or collection area, visitors cannot remove or exchange it.
No waste outside the gates
Leaving waste outside the centre is fly-tipping and can lead to enforcement action.
Household waste only
Waste from landlords, businesses, home businesses or paid clearance activity is commercial waste.
Taxis
A householder may travel with their own waste in a suitable taxi. The driver cannot take the waste without the householder.
Lincoln Recycling Centre address and map
Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre
Address:
Great Northern Terrace
Lincoln
LN5 8LG
- Open Friday to Tuesday
- Closed Wednesday and Thursday
- Normal hours: 8am–4pm
- Arrive before 3:50pm
- No standard car booking
- Vehicle permits apply where required
Local trip tip: avoid loading the vehicle before confirming that your vehicle type is allowed. A rejected van or oversized trailer creates a wasted journey even when the material itself is accepted.
Lincoln recycling centre links for final actions
Information checked: 26 June 2026. Emergency closures, operational rules and accepted materials can change. Check the official centre page before travelling with a restricted item or special vehicle.
Frequently asked questions
What are Lincoln Recycling Centre opening times?
The centre is open from 8am to 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Wednesday and Thursday.
Do I need to book Lincoln Household Waste Recycling Centre?
No standard appointment is currently required for a normal household visit in a car. Some vans, light-goods 4x4s and large trailers require a free e-permit.
What time is the last entry at Lincoln tip?
Plan to arrive before 3:50pm. The gates may close ten minutes before the official 4pm closing time so visitors can unload and leave safely.
Is Lincoln Recycling Centre open on bank holidays?
The centre follows its normal timetable on most bank holidays. It is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
What is the address of Lincoln Recycling Centre?
The centre is at Great Northern Terrace, Lincoln, LN5 8LG.
Can I take a van to Lincoln Recycling Centre?
Yes, if the van meets the size and weight restrictions and you have a free e-permit. Box vans and Luton vans are not permitted.
How much rubble or plasterboard can I take?
The normal small DIY allowance is one 100-litre dustbin, or two 50-litre bags, of soil, rubble, plasterboard or a combination per vehicle per day.
Can I take commercial or landlord waste to Lincoln tip?
No. The centre is for Lincolnshire householders disposing of waste from their own homes. Business, landlord and paid-clearance waste requires a commercial service.
Does Lincoln Recycling Centre accept tyres?
Motor-vehicle tyres are not accepted. A single bicycle tyre can be placed in the residual-waste container.
Can I take asbestos to Lincoln Recycling Centre?
Do not arrive with asbestos as a normal load. Lincolnshire operates a separate arranged service for limited cement-bonded white asbestos using supplied bags and tags.