​Tower Hamlets Recycling Centre: Rules, Booking Guide & Tip Opening Times

Open today : 09:00 - 18:00

Dispose of your rubbish smoothly by following the tower hamlets council site rules for Tower Hamlets Recycling Centre, check if this London dump requires an advance car booking, view the current opening times, and verify the accepted and rejected items for this Greater London location.

No Car Booking Needed
No Van Permit Needed
Official Website

Location & Address

Tower Hamlets Reuse and Recycling Centre, Yabsley Street
London, Greater London
E14 9RG

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Contact Information

Phone Number

020 7364 5000
Reuse Shop No
Disabled Access No
Staff Assistance Yes
Trailers Allowed No
Local ID Required Yes
Height Barrier1.94m

Opening Hours

Summer Hours

  • 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 09:00 - 18:00
  • sunday 09:00 - 18:00

Winter Hours

  • 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 09:00 - 18:00
  • sunday 09:00 - 18:00

Holiday & Closures

Bank Holidays

09:00 - 16:30

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Accepted Items

  • Aerosols
  • Aluminium foil
  • Batteries
  • Bikes
  • Books
  • Car batteries
  • Cardboard
  • Clothes and textiles
  • Computer monitors
  • Cooking oil
  • Discs
  • Engine oil
  • Electrical appliances
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Food and drink cans
  • Food and drink cartons
  • Fridges and freezers
  • Furniture
  • Gas bottles
  • General household waste
  • Glass bottles and jars
  • Green garden waste
  • Low energy light bulbs
  • Mobile phones
  • Paint
  • Paper
  • Plastic bottles and their lids
  • Plastic pots
  • Plastic tubs and boxes
  • Printer cartridges
  • Scrap metal
  • Shoes
  • Small electrical items
  • Tapes
  • Televisions
  • Telephone directories
  • Textiles
  • Toner cartridges
  • White goods
  • Wood & timber
  • Yellow pages

Rejected Items

  • plasterboard
  • tyres
  • asbestos
  • liquids
  • trade waste
  • commercial waste
  • industrial waste

Do you recycle old fridges?

Yes, you can bring domestic refrigerators to this site.

Are household mattresses accepted?

Unfortunately, mattresses cannot be left at this tip.

Do you accept sofas?

Yes, you can bring a couch in your vehicle.

What to know before visiting Tower Hamlets Tip

1Navigating to the Yabsley Street Facility

Situated just off the bustling A1206 (Preston's Road), the facility sits directly on Yabsley Street. If you're driving near the Blackwall Tunnel approach or can spot the Canary Wharf skyline, you are in the right vicinity. Look out for the Blackwall DLR station, which acts as an excellent navigational marker nearby.

2Proving Your Borough Residency

Only local residents are granted access to the site. You must present unmistakable proof of your address upon arrival, such as a recent council tax document or a physical utility bill. Have these papers ready on your dashboard so the gateway staff at the tip can process your entry without holding up the queue.

3Navigating Van and Large Vehicle Restrictions

Arriving in a rented transit, a flatbed, or towing a substantial load? You will be turned away if you haven't completed the necessary paperwork. Oversized transports mandate a pre-approved authorization pass from the council, which must be finalized days before you attempt to drop off items at the local tip.

4Pedestrian Safety and Pre-Trip Organisation

Active disposal zones are full of moving vehicles and heavy machinery, so sticking to the clearly painted walkways is mandatory. Drivers must crawl at a maximum of 5mph. To minimize your time on the tarmac, group similar materials together in your boot before setting off, and ensure children remain seated safely inside the vehicle.

5Zero Tolerance for Commercial Debris

Independent contractors, builders, and tradespeople are explicitly barred from utilizing this residential amenity. Any load originating from a business activity, including professional gardening or property renovations, will be rejected. Companies are legally obligated to direct their refuse to a private weighbridge, not this community rubbish tip.

6Salvaging Items for Community Donation

Rather than throwing everything directly into the general compactor, take a moment to evaluate your cargo. The site operates a dedicated salvage zone for items that are still structurally sound. Gently used dining sets, intact bicycles, and working electronics can often be handed over to staff for charitable redistribution.

7Strictly Prohibited and Dangerous Goods

Protecting the ecosystem and the workforce means certain items are permanently blacklisted from this location. Under no circumstances can you bring corrugated asbestos, volatile solvents, or pressurized propane canisters to the waste tip. These regulated hazards require highly specialized handling, which you must arrange through independent environmental contractors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are prior bookings necessary?
No, you can just turn up.
Can I visit on a bank holiday?
Yes, the facility does not shut for bank holidays.
Can I drop off recycling in a van?
No, towing a trailer is not allowed at this site.
Are DIY materials allowed at this site?
No, you cannot dump your DIY waste at this location.

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