The site has returned to normal operations. You may need a permit to visit the site.

You will need a waste permit to deposit waste at the household waste recycling centre if you:

• are bringing a fridge/freezer
• are bringing car tyres
• need to dispose of four to six items of DIY waste per month
• are a householder in a van, pickup or flatback
• visit in a car towing a single axle trailer

You will receive a permit by email once your application has been processed.

If you have not provided an email address, the permit will be posted to you and may take up to seven days to arrive.

Request a waste disposal permit

Please ensure you read our revised HWRC acceptance and access policy before you visit.

Your visit to the site

Proof of address needed

To ensure the site is only used by Bedford Borough residents, all visitors to the HWRC need to show a current Council Tax bill or driving licence with proof of address to site staff on arrival. If the photo ID does not show an address, visitors must provide a separate proof of address in the same name.

COVID-19 measures

Please do not visit the site if you or a member of your household have symptoms of COVID-19 or are self-isolating. Waste from such households should be double bagged and kept securely for a minimum of 72 hours before disposal.

Please keep your vehicle windows closed and obey the directions of staff at all times on site.

General COVID-19 guidance applies: we encourage you to wear gloves and wash your hands before and after your visit.

Plan to avoid busiest times

With limited space for vehicles to wait on site, residents may be turned away if the site is busy, to prevent traffic from queuing on Barkers Lane.

The busiest times are expected to be Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, usually from 9am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 5pm.

Separating and unloading waste

Site staff are unable to assist with unloading waste from vehicles. This is to ensure guidelines on social distancing can be met. If it took two people to load any heavy items into your vehicle, then you should ensure two people visit the site.

If you need help with large items please arrange a household bulky collection instead.

Please sort your waste before visiting the site to ensure the maximum can be recycled and reused. This will also speed up your visit and reduce queues.

Vehicle types allowed

The following vehicle types will not have access to this site:

• Any vehicle with more than 4 wheels
• Any car towing a trailer more than 1.8m long by 1.2m wide (vans with trailers are not permitted)
• Any twin axle trailer
• Any tipper vehicle

Waste types allowed

The site can accept the following waste types only:

• general rubbish (black lidded bin)
• small items of furniture
• mattresses
• garden waste (green lidded bin)
• recycling (orange lidded bin)
• textiles
• small electrical appliances (eg microwaves, kettles, and toasters)
• household batteries
• large domestic appliances (eg fridges, freezers, washing machines, cookers, tumble dryers)
• TVs, computer monitors
• fluorescent tubes
• hardcore and rubble – up to 3 items (including broken ceramic tiles, bricks, ceramic sanitary ware eg sinks/toilets)
• Soil – up to three bags (accepted in the green garden waste skip)
• plasterboard - up to 3 sheets
• metal
• paint
• wood
• glass
• oil - cooking and automotive
• tyres – up to 2 tyres from a household in one calendar year

If you bring anything else, you may be asked to take it home with you again. 

Waste types not allowed

• asbestos
• trees with a diameter greater than 30cm
• animal waste
• telegraph poles and railway sleepers

Opening times

The site will be open from 9am to 5pm seven days a week. The last entry to the site is 4.50pm.

This is to allow the site to be effectively cleaned and emptied ready for the next day.

Saturday late night opening

Between 1 April and 30 September, the site will be open from 9am to 7pm on Saturday only. The last entry to the site is at 6.50pm.

Commercial waste

Commercial waste is accepted for a charge.

Commercial waste services are currently suspended but will be restarting in June.  

Household Waste Recycling Centre address

Barkers Lane, Bedford MK41 9SB

Information for landlords

If you are a landlord or letting agent please be aware that waste produced from a rental property is classed as commercial waste and it is your responsibility to dispose of this.

Commercial waste service at the tidy tip is temporarily suspended but will be restarting in June. If you would like to dispose of commercial waste please contact commercialservices@bedford.gov.uk for a quote.