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Waste and recycling collections over Christmas and New Year

Your collection days will change over Christmas and New Year – find out your new collection date.

Recycling centres: Christmas and New Year closures

Both recycling centres will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. The sites will also close at 2pm on 24 and 31 December.

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Recycling centres

Gypsum Close and Freemen's Common recycling centres are open daily from 8am to 6pm, including bank holidays.

Our recycling centres

Gypsum Close Recycling Centre

Location: Gypsum Close, Leicester, LE4 9AB

Facilities

Freemen's Common Recycling Centre

Location: Islington Street, Freemen's Common, Leicester, LE2 7SQ

Facilities

  • Household waste and recycling centre
  • Household asbestos and chemicals disposal.

Opening times

Opening times for both Gypsum Close and Freemen's Common Recycling Centres:

  • April to October: 8am - 8pm
  • November to March: 8am - 6pm

The Recycling Centres will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Access

Freemen's Common Recycling Centre

Freemen's Common Recycling Centre can only be accessed by residents in a car, similar vehicle or on a bicycle. The site cannot be accessed on foot or in a larger vehicle (such as a van or pickup) or if you have a trailer over 1.4m.

Gypsum Close Recycling Centre

Gypsum Close Recycling Centre can be accessed by residents in any vehicle. The site can also be accessed on foot using the marked walkways. If the vehicle is larger, or with a trailer over 1.4m, it is subject to the permit scheme, and the resident must have the appropriate permit to use the site. 

This site is also accessible to businesses who can use the paid for trade waste facility

Do I need a permit to tip household waste?

You do not need a permit if you are in a car, unless you are using a trailer more than 1.4 metres long. If you are using a van or pickup, you must apply for a permit. You will need to login or create an account in My Account in order to apply.

Vans, pickups, and cars with trailers can only use the Gypsum Close Recycling Centre (unless disposing of Asbestos).

If you are using your own vehicle, you may receive a 12 month permit that is valid for a maximum of 12 visits. If you are borrowing or hiring a vehicle, we may issue you with a temporary one month permit which is valid for a maximum of three visits.

What can I recycle at both centres?

  • Batteries (car)
  • Batteries (household)
  • Bicycles
  • Books
  • Cans
  • Car batteries
  • Cardboard
  • Clothes/shoes
  • Cooking oil
  • Dry mixed recycling
  • Electrical equipment
  • Fluorescent tubes
  • Furniture
  • Garden waste
  • Gas Bottles (must be empty)
  • Glass
  • Metal
  • Paint
  • Paper
  • Plastic Bottles
  • Soil / Hardcore (maximum 6 x 25kg bags per visit)
  • Used engine oil
  • White goods (for example, fridges)
  • Wood (including chipboard and MDF)

Please sort your items before arrival to avoid queuing.

Materials accepted only at Freemen's Common

Asbestos

  • Only cement bonded asbestos will be accepted and it must be double wrapped in plastic.
  • A maximum of 8 sheets per visit will be accepted.
  • Please call 0116 254 3568 before visiting – asbestos can only be accepted if the container has space for it.

Household and garden chemicals

  • Accepted at Freemen's Common only.

Trade waste

Businesses can use our trade waste facility at Gypsum Close. Find out more about trade waste.

All businesses must arrange for legal disposal of waste materials. This includes waste from house clearances, gardening services, tip run services, and landlord activities. It is against the law to use household collections, recycling banks or household waste recycling centres to dispose of trade waste.

Illegal tipping

If you are found to be leaving commercial waste at the recycling centres, other than at the trade waste facility at Gypsum Close, you may be prosecuted. The unauthorised tipping of waste (fly-tipping) is subject to an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment.

Reuse shop

Gypsum Close recycling centre has a charity run re-use shop on site. The shop accepts donations and then sells items which are still in good working order.