A new registration scheme designed to improve access to North Yorkshire’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) and ensure the service is used fairly by residents will go live later this month.
From Monday, 27 April, residents will need to register their name, address and vehicle before visiting any of the county’s 20 household waste recycling centres.
The move will help to ensure the sites are used by North Yorkshire residents who fund the service, and reduce visits from those outside the county, which currently accounts for about one in six users and costs the taxpayer up to £400,000 a year.
Registration is free, takes a couple of minutes, and lasts for three years.
Residents can register online from 27 April and use the centres straight away. Nothing will be sent in the post, and staff will check number plates on arrival.
Owners of commercial‑like vehicles will also be able to make up to 12 free visits per year to dispose of their own household waste once registered. This change is designed to prevent us from inadvertently accepting commercial waste free of charge, while still supporting residents who own larger vehicles.
Executive member for managing our environment, Cllr Richard Foster, said: “Introducing the registration scheme is an important step in protecting a service that residents value without creating additional cost to the taxpayer.
“It will help us to improve access, reduce misuse, and ensure we are operating the centres as efficiently and fairly as possible. Registration is quick, simple and lasts for three years.”
Residents can register online from 27 April.
Those without internet access can call us on 0300 131 2 131, or visit a library or council office for help.
The introduction of the scheme follows a detailed review and a 12‑week consultation, which received more than 3,000 responses. Of these, 69 per cent supported restricting access to residents, and 61 per cent backed limits for commercial‑like vehicles.
In 2024/25, the county’s recycling centres handled 64,500 tonnes of waste and received 1.6 million visits. The new scheme is expected to support savings of up to £400,000 per year, including £300,000 from restricting non‑resident use and £100,000 from limiting commercial‑like vehicles visits.