Residents urged to register before next visit to their local Household Waste Recycling Centre

Residents will need to register before their next visit to their local Household Waste Recycling Centre as part of Cheshire West and Chester Council's efforts to cut down on unauthorised use.

Many residents have already registered, but for those who have not yet, it is quick and easy to register at:

Find a recycling centre | Cheshire West and Chester Council

There are many benefits to the new system.

Once your vehicles are registered:

• No ID or proof of address is required – automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) cameras will identify all pre‑registered vehicles.
• Paper permits will no longer be needed – everything is handled through your online registration.
• You can choose to receive notifications, including important service updates such as emergency closures due to severe weather.
• You will automatically receive 30 visits per year, and you’ll be able to monitor how many visits you have remaining.
• You can request additional visits if you use all 30 (conditions apply).

Registration is a one‑off process for each household. Once registered, you will only need to update your details if you change your vehicle, or you move home. Each household can register up to three vehicles, including one commercial type vehicle.

The new system prevents unauthorised use and fairly manages the number of visits each household makes, ensuring everyone has reasonable access to the service. Each household is entitled to 30 visits within any 12-month period.

A ten-year Waste Management Strategy was adopted by the Council in 2021, aiming to reduce overall waste, increase recycling and provide a cost-effective service. Reviewing the way HWRCs work is the next step towards this.

The changes being implemented follow Council’s cabinet approval in June 2025, after a public consultation in 2024 on proposals to improve the future of HWRCs.

Cllr Karen Shore, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways (including Waste), said:

“I would like to thank the many residents who have already registered their vehicle to visit our HWRCs. This is mandatory, and people may be turned away if they haven’t already registered, so I encourage residents to register now to avoid any issues when visiting.

“The new registration system aims to ensure that HWRCs remain accessible to all residents who need them whilst tackling the minority of excessive users and commercial users who are bringing unauthorised waste. Waste from commercial premises, businesses or any ‘paid‑for’ work is not permitted at any HWRC site. There has been a sharp increase in frequent visits and suspected non-household waste being brought to our sites, particularly by those using commercial type vehicles. Dealing with unauthorised waste costs the Council money and reduces capacity for residents to use the sites. The new registration system will make things fairer and more efficient for everyone.”

The Council operates seven HWRCs across the borough, in Chester, Ellesmere Port, Frodsham, Neston, Northwich, Tattenhall and Winsford. Each year, they are visited around 740,000 times and process approximately 40,000 tonnes of household waste and recycling. Since April 2026, the Borough’s HWRCs are now managed by the Council’s wholly owned company, Cheshire West Recycling (CWR).

To register your vehicle and for more information on HWRCs, visit the Council website:

Find a recycling centre | Cheshire West and Chester Council

If you don’t have a smartphone or access to a computer and only want to register a “standard” type vehicle, you can contact 0300 123 7026 where assistance will be provided to complete your registration application form.

Residents can also get support with online registration at their local library, where staff can assist with accessing the website or completing the form.