​Smallmead Recycling Centre – Waste Tip: Opening Hours, Booking Rules & Info

Open today : 08:00 - 20:00

Prepare for your visit to the local tip by checking the opening times and van permit rules for Smallmead Recycling Centre, located in Reading, Berkshire, this bracknell forest council facility has clear guidelines on rejected items and mandatory car bookings.

Location & Address

Island Road
Reading, Berkshire
RG2 0RP

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Contact Information

Phone Number

0800 988 3023

Email Address

[email protected]
Reuse Shop No
Disabled Access Yes
Staff Assistance No
Trailers Allowed Yes
Local ID Required Yes
Height BarrierNone

Opening Hours

Summer Hours

1 April to 30 September

  • monday 08:00 - 20:00
  • tuesday 08:00 - 20:00
  • wednesday 08:00 - 20:00
  • thursday 08:00 - 20:00
  • friday 08:00 - 20:00
  • saturday 08:00 - 20:00
  • sunday 08:00 - 20:00

Winter Hours

1 October to 31 March

  • monday 08:00 - 18:00
  • tuesday 08:00 - 18:00
  • wednesday 08:00 - 18:00
  • thursday 08:00 - 18:00
  • friday 08:00 - 18:00
  • saturday 08:00 - 18:00
  • sunday 08:00 - 18:00

Holiday & Closures

25 December26 December1 January

Bank Holidays

Normal opening hours, except early 16:00 closure on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

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Accepted Items

  • Household waste
  • Soil
  • Rubble
  • Plasterboard
  • Asbestos
  • Gas bottles
  • Timber
  • Windows
  • Doors
  • Batteries
  • Bicycles
  • Magazines
  • Microwaves
  • Paint
  • Small electrical goods
  • TVs and monitors
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Tyres
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Garden waste
  • Paper and cardboard
  • Tins
  • Cans
  • Plastic bottles
  • Pots
  • Tubs
  • Trays
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Scrap metal
  • Textiles
  • Ink cartridges
  • Computers

Rejected Items

  • Trade waste
  • Livestock waste
  • Fireworks
  • Flares
  • Ammunition
  • Explosives
  • Clinical waste
  • Medical waste
  • Needles
  • Syringes
  • Petrol
  • Diesel
  • Paraffin
  • Oil tanks
  • Solar panels
  • Tarmac

Chargeable Items

Rubble and hardcore£3.20 per 25l bag after 100L free allowance
Soil£3.20 per 25l bag after 100L free allowance
Plasterboard£1.60 per 25l bag after 100L free allowance
Asbestos£8.40 per 20kg after 60kg free allowance
Bathroom and kitchen sanitary ware£3.20 each after 1 bulky item free allowance
Timber, doors, and windows£3.20 each or per 25l bag after free allowance
Roofing materials£3.20 per 25l bag after free allowance
Gas bottlesCharges vary based on size

Can I drop my fridge off here?

Yes, you can dispose of your old fridge here.

Are household mattresses accepted?

No, dropping off domestic mattresses is not possible.

Will this facility take my sofa?

Yes, you can drop off your sofa at this site.

What to know before visiting Smallmead Tip

1Approaching the Island Road Depot

Located a stone's throw from the Select Car Leasing Stadium and easily accessible via the A33 relief road, this sprawling complex serves the Reading area. The queues are notoriously long on Sunday mornings, so try visiting during a quiet weekday afternoon instead.

2Confirming Your Borough Eligibility

The facility restricts access solely to those living within the designated three-council territory. Keep a council tax statement or your photo license on the dashboard to swiftly satisfy the entry wardens at the tip.

3Mandatory Pre-Planned Visitations

Gone are the days of impromptu clear-outs. Every single household car must feature on the daily electronic manifest, requiring you to claim a timed slot on the municipality website before leaving home.

4Authorising Work-Style Motors

If your vehicle lacks rear windows or you are towing a large carriage, you are forced to secure a virtual clearance certificate. Huge articulated lorries are entirely incompatible with the layout and face a permanent ban from the waste tip.

5Speed Restrictions and Footwear Mandates

Limit your speedometer to an absolute crawl when maneuvering around the parking bays to protect fellow visitors. In addition, you must wear substantial closed-top shoes, and please note that pedestrian drop-offs are completely banned.

6Accommodating Professional Contractors

Freelancers and construction firms can utilize the dedicated weighbridge infrastructure to legally offload their commercial rubble. Be prepared to settle your disposal fees via a cashless transaction upon arrival.

7Sue Ryder Second-Hand Zone

The site champions a fantastic reuse initiative, encouraging visitors to donate old bicycles, readable books, and decent bric-a-brac. Your pre-loved goods are cleaned up and sold to generate much-needed financial support for palliative care.

8Excluded Hazardous Substances

Highly combustible items, such as large pressurized tanks and raw chemicals, cannot be processed through these standard domestic channels. Always review the official environmental directory to discover how to legally surrender these volatile compounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I go to the tip without booking?
Yes, entry is strictly by appointment only.
Are bank holiday Mondays open as usual?
Yes, standard operating hours apply during bank holidays.
Can I bring a large trailer to the site?
Yes, you can use a trailer to bring your recycling.
Do you take soil and rubble?
Yes, dropping off DIY waste is completely fine.

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