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Household waste recycling site (tip) permits

Vans, 2-door pick-ups, sign-written vehicles and some trailers need a permit to use our tips. Car users need to show proof of residency or a resident's pass.

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Why we have tip permits

All Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) in the East Riding of Yorkshire are licensed for household waste only, as required by the Environment Agency. The agency regularly checks the waste brought to these sites. If commercial waste were to be disposed of there, the site's licence could be revoked, forcing it to close.

Dumping commercial waste illegally at these sites not only risks their licences but also leaves East Riding of Yorkshire taxpayers covering the cost of disposal.

To prevent this, a tip permit system has been in place at all our sites since August 2001. This nationally recognised system helps enforce the ban on commercial waste. It limits the number of visits by vehicles that are more likely to carry commercial waste, while still allowing residents to use vans or large trailers when needed.

We monitor how the sites are used, and may investigate the source of waste or the use of hire vehicles. If necessary, details may be passed on to enforcement officers.

Check if your vehicle needs a tip permit

Please note: you cannot dispose of any commercial waste at a Household Waste Recycling Site (HWRS). If the waste you want to get rid of comes from your business or any commercial activities, you are responsible for making sure it is taken to a properly licensed disposal facility.

For more details, visit the GOV.UK website.

Vehicles that need a tip permit

You need a tip permit to take household waste to an HWRS if you are using a:

  • van of any size, including camper vans
  • two-door pick-up
  • sign-written vehicle
  • trailer larger than 6ft x 4ft (1.8m x 1.2m).

If you are unsure whether your vehicle is classed as a van, you are able to check on the DVLA website. If your vehicle is a M1 is it classed as a car, if classed N1 or N2 it is a van.

You can register up to 2 eligible vehicles per address. This is the process:

  • When you first apply, you can register one vehicle
  • We’ll email you your permit reference number
  • Once you have this, you can add a second vehicle.

If you are using a hire vehicle, different rules apply, see below:

Cars and small trailers

Show your resident’s pass or proof that you are a resident of the East Riding of Yorkshire, if you are using a:

  • car (without sign-writing)
  • trailer 6ft x 4ft (1.8m x 1.2m) or smaller.

Find out more about the resident’s pass

Hire vehicles

You can use some hire vehicles to visit an HWRS, but please note:

  • tip permits cannot be issued for hire vehicles
  • flat-bed, tipper, and drop-sided hire vehicles are not allowed on site.

If you are using a hire vehicle, you must:

  • visit no more than 3 times in a 12 month period
  • dispose of household waste only
  • present a copy of your hire agreement to a site attendant before unloading.

Vehicles not allowed on site

The following vehicles are not eligible for tip permits and are not allowed on site:

  • flat-beds
  • tippers
  • drop-sided vans
  • agricultural vehicles
  • vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes.

About tip permits

If you live in the East Riding of Yorkshire and your vehicle meets certain criteria, you will need tip permits to visit an HWRS (tip) to dispose of household waste. Commercial waste is not permitted.

Find out how to dispose of business or commercial waste on the GOV.UK website.

How many permits you can have

  • The first time you apply for tip permits, you will get 6 permits (provided you meet the criteria).
  • After 12 months, if you have used all your tip permits, you can request 6 more.
  • Tip permits can last more than 12 months as they don't have an expiry date.

Please note: you can’t have more than 6 tip permits within a 12 month period.

If you would like to discuss your home’s bin capacity with a member of the waste and recycling team, please email wastewatchers@eastriding.gov.uk

What tip permits look like

We now have a virtual permit system. When you apply for, or renew your tip permits, you will not be sent paper permits.

If you have any unused paper tip permits, we have automatically transferred them onto the virtual system. You do not need to do anything and you do not need to bring the paper permit with you to the HWRS.

How to use your tip permit

We will monitor how many times you visit an HWRS in your registered vehicle(s). We will send you an email to confirm when you have used a permit, so you can keep track. You can also use our handy tool to check how many permits you have left.

You do not need to use a tip permit if you are disposing of garden waste only.

You do need to use a tip permit if you are bringing a mixture of garden waste and household waste.

Check if you have any valid tip permits

Enter your current or previous permit reference number in our checker to see how many valid permits you have left.

You can find the reference number on an old-style paper permit, or on an email we sent you when you applied for or used a permit.

Check for valid permits

Apply for, or renew tip permits



If you are unable to apply online, please call (01482) 393939 to book an appointment at your local customer service or multi service centre where staff will complete the application form for you.

Add a second vehicle, or tell us something has changed

Update address or vehicle details, or add a second vehicle

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