Last updated: 26 September 2024

Next review: 26 September 2025

This site is for residents to dispose of their waste and recycling. It does not accept trade waste.

If you are using a car there is no need to book in advance.

If you are using a car with a trailer or a van you will need to book in advance.

if you want to visit South Access Road reuse and recycling centre. You can simply arrive at the site during opening hours. Read more about this decision on the North London Waste Authority website

Find us

Contact details

Address

South Access Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre

42a South Access Road
Walthamstow​
E10 7AS/E17 8AX

Vehicle Access through Argall Avenue only.

*Bank holidays: 9am to 4pm.  The site is closed on 25 December and 1 January.

Opening times

Monday: 9am to 4pm Tuesday: 9am to 4pm Wednesday: 9am to 4pm Thursday: 9am to 4pm Friday: 9am to 4pm Saturday: 9am to 4pm Sunday: 9am to 4pm*

Arriving by van

You must book an appointment, at least 24 hours in advance, if you plan to come by:

  • van (a vehicle with no rear windows or no rear seats)
  • pick-up
  • car with trailer (over four feet long)

When you arrive, you need to bring:

  • acceptable photo identification:  e.g. passport or driving licence
  • proof you live in the borough

Each Waltham Forest household can take a van to this site a maximum of five times a year.

The site has a height barrier restricted to 1.75 metres

Accepted items:

  • batteries 
  • bicycles
  • books
  • car batteries
  • cooking oil
  • engine oil
  • electrical appliances (small and large)
  • fluorescent light tubes
  • furniture 
  • garden waste
  • gas bottles
  • general household rubbish
  • glass bottles and glass jars
  • hard plastics
  • hardcore and rubble
  • light bulbs
  • mobile phones
  • paint
  • paper, card and cardboard
  • plastic bottles, trays and tubs
  • plasterboard
  • printer ink cartridges
  • rubble
  • scrap metal
  • soil
  • 'Tetra' style cartons
  • textiles and shoes
  • tiles
  • tins, cans, aerosols and foil 
  • tools (for reuse)
  • wood and timber

Items not accepted:

  • asbestos
  • household chemicals
  • tarmac
  • trade waste
  • tyres

Disposing of tarmac

Tarmac can not be taken to any of our public reuse and recycling sites. It can be disposed of at Bywaters Trade Site, Gateway Road, Leyton. There is a charge to use this site.

Rubble and soil

You can bring:

  • up to six standard rubble sacks of soil each month
  • up to six standard rubble sacks of rubble each month

A standard rubble sack is 20 inches by 30 inches.

Bags of rubble can contain brick, concrete and paving stones.

Trade waste

For trade waste disposal, please use Bywaters Trade Waste site at Gateway Road (turn left for the trade waste site). There will be a charge to dispose of trade waste.

Reuse schemes

Bicycles

There is a bicycle re-use scheme in operation with Recycle your Cycle. Recycle your Cycle works with the UK prison service to provide training in the refurbishment of bicycles. Bicycles are then sold on through charity shops across the country as well as in the ReUse Shop at Kings Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, Chingford.

Any bicycles that are disposed of at site, that are not suitable for reuse, are recycled.

Furniture

Furniture that is suitable to be used again will be inspected, safety checked and sold at the ReUse Shop at Kings Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, Chingford.

Furniture that is not suitable to be used again, such as upholstered furniture without a fire label, or with missing parts, will be sent for recycling where possible.

Paint

Paint bought to this site is reused as part of the Community Re-Paint scheme. Residents and community groups can purchase the paint at a reduced price by visiting the Forest Recycling Project (FRP).

DIY Materials

You can deposit unwanted DIY materials or take them for free from the designated area at South Access Road Household Reuse and Recycling Centre, Walthamstow.