Bickenhill Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) permit scheme

From the section: Bickenhill Household Waste and Recycling Centre

Bickenhill Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC) permit scheme

Commercial type vehicles (such as vans and pick-up trucks), campervans and cars towing a large trailer need a permit to visit Bickenhill HWRC. 

If you are planning to visit the site, please be aware:

  • you must pre-book an appointment
  • waste must be from a Solihull residential address
  • each permit allows 12 visits within a 12-month period from the date of issue
  • only one permit will be issued per:
    • household
    • vehicle
    • person

There are restricted visit times for permit holders. These are:

Day of the weekRestricted visit time
Monday10:00am until 2:00pm
Tuesday10:00am until 15 minutes before closing*
Wednesday10:00am until 2:00pm
Thursday10:00am until 2:00pm
Friday10:00am until 2:00pm
Saturday10:00am until 2:00pm
Sunday & Bank HolidayNo access allowed

*Closing times for Bickenhill HWRC are:

  • April to November: 6:30pm
  • December to March: 5:30pm

Vehicles requiring a permit

The following vehicles require a permit to visit Bickenhill HWRC:

  • a car with a small trailer in between 6ft (1.83m) and 9ft 6in (2.10m) in length including the tow bar
  • a van (cannot be towing a trailer)
  • single cab, double cab and king cab pick ups (cannot be towing a trailer)
  • any vehicle with 8 seats or more e.g. mini bus (cannot be towing a trailer)
  • 4 x 4 vehicles without rear side windows (cannot be towing a trailer)
  • 4 x 4 vehicles with rear side windows towing a trailer
  • campervans and campervan conversions

Vehicles that exceed our height restriction (6ft 9in or 2.05m) are not permitted on site.

Apply for permit

Paper permits are no longer being issued. 

You will need to apply online for an e-permit.

Once approved, you can book an appointment immediately.

Apply for a permit

Book an appointment

Appointments will be available on a first come, first served basis. Each appointment slot will be for 15 minutes.

Please pre-sort recycling and waste at home for a quick turnaround time to help the site remain on schedule.

Book an appointment

Vehicles not accepted on site

The following vehicles are not allowed on site:

  • any trailer over 2.10 metres (9ft 6in) including the tow bar
  • any vehicle in excess of the weight restriction (3.5 tonnes)
  • any vehicle in excess of the height restriction (6ft 9in or 2.05m)
  • long wheel based vans, double or twin axle vans
  • vans towing a trailer
  • single cab, double cab, king cab pick ups towing a trailer
  • 4 x 4 vehicle without rear side windows towing a trailer
  • any vehicle with 8 seats or more towing a trailer

Hire vehicles

If you've hired a car and checked it doesn't meet any of our restrictions, you can apply for a permit online.

You will then be able to book an appointment online. Hire vehicles must be booked 48 hours in advance of attending the site.

E-permits are valid for 7 days. Bookings can be made for any date in the future, but must be booked within the 7-day period. 

Apply for a permit

Visiting the site

When you visit the site using a hire vehicle, you must bring:

  • your booking reference number
  • your hire documents
  • proof of residency

Commercial waste

Commercial waste cannot be taken to Bickenhill Household Waste Recycling Centre.

We won't accept waste from work done by a trader or commercial building company, even if it's from a residential home.