Southampton Recycling Center: Hours, Address & Sunday Schedule
Use this Southampton recycling center guide before you book or drive. It explains the official Southampton Household Waste Recycling Centre address, Sunday schedule, seasonal opening hours, booking rules, daily lunch closure, accepted items, not-accepted items, nearby Hampshire options, home recycling rules and map directions in plain resident-friendly language.
Use the official booking system first. Visitors without a valid slot, or outside their booked time, can be turned away.
First Avenue
Southampton SO15 0LJ Book Online Book HWRC Visit → Council Help Bins & Recycling → Directions Open Map → SO
Fast Answer for Southampton Residents
The main Southampton recycling center is the Southampton Household Waste Recycling Centre at City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue, Southampton, SO15 0LJ. It is commonly called Southampton tip, Millbrook tip, Southampton HWRC or City Depot recycling centre.
The centre is listed as open 7 days a week, including Sunday, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. The site has seasonal hours: 9am-6pm from 1 April to 30 September, 9am-5pm from 1 March to 31 March, and 9am-4pm from 1 October to 28 February. It also closes between 12:30pm and 1pm every day.
On This Page
- Southampton recycling center overview
- Quick facts before you go
- Hours and Sunday schedule
- Booking rules
- Address, map and local access
- Accepted items
- Items not accepted
- DIY waste and chargeable waste
- Home recycling vs HWRC
- Glass, textiles and recycling banks
- Electricals, batteries and vapes
- Bulky waste options
- Nearby recycling centres
- Before-you-go checklist
- Official links
- FAQ
Southampton Recycling Center Overview
A search for recycling center Southampton usually means the official Southampton Household Waste Recycling Centre at City Depot and Recycling Park in Millbrook. This is the place for many household items that are too large, awkward, unsafe or unsuitable for normal kerbside bins.
The centre is not the same as your home recycling bin. Southampton’s home recycling is limited to specific everyday items, while the HWRC accepts a wider range of household waste such as large cardboard, batteries, electrical equipment, furniture, garden waste, paint, wood, rubble, soil and similar materials, subject to site rules.
The most important rule is booking. Southampton HWRC uses the Hampshire booking system. Bookings can usually be made up to one week ahead, same-day slots depend on availability, and anyone arriving without a valid booking or outside their allocated slot may be turned away.
Southampton Recycling Center Quick Facts Before You Drive
| User Question | Best Answer | Action Link |
|---|---|---|
| Where is Southampton recycling center? | City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue, Southampton, SO15 0LJ. | Open map |
| Is Southampton recycling centre open Sunday? | Yes, it is listed open 7 days a week, including Sunday, except the main Christmas/New Year closures. | Sunday hours |
| Do I need to book? | Yes. Appointments are required to visit Southampton HWRC. | Book a slot |
| What are the opening hours? | 9am-6pm Apr-Sep, 9am-5pm in March, 9am-4pm Oct-Feb. Closed 12:30-1pm daily. | Hours table |
| Can Southampton residents use Hampshire HWRCs? | Southampton residents can access Hampshire HWRCs free of charge, but booking rules still apply. | Hampshire HWRCs |
| Can I bring commercial waste? | No. HWRCs are for household waste. Commercial and trade waste needs a licensed route. | Not accepted |
Southampton Recycling Center Hours and Sunday Schedule
Southampton HWRC uses seasonal opening times. The centre is listed as open seven days a week, including Sunday, but the actual closing time changes through the year. The site also closes every day between 12:30pm and 1pm, so avoid arriving close to that period.
| Period | Monday-Sunday Hours | Daily Closure | Resident Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 April to 30 September | 9:00am-6:00pm | Closed 12:30pm-1:00pm | Longer summer opening. Still book before visiting. |
| 1 March to 31 March | 9:00am-5:00pm | Closed 12:30pm-1:00pm | March has a middle seasonal schedule. |
| 1 October to 28 February | 9:00am-4:00pm | Closed 12:30pm-1:00pm | Winter closing is earlier, so book and arrive early. |
| Christmas/New Year closures | Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day | Not applicable | Check festive updates before making a holiday trip. |
Southampton Recycling Center Sunday Schedule
Sunday follows the same seasonal opening pattern. That means Sunday is normally 9am-6pm from April to September, 9am-5pm in March, and 9am-4pm from October to February. The daily 12:30pm-1pm closure still applies on Sunday.
Booking Rules for Southampton HWRC
You must book an appointment before visiting Southampton HWRC. Bookings can usually be made up to one week in advance, and same-day appointments depend on availability. The booking is tied to your chosen site, vehicle and time slot.
Residents may attend only once during their booked time slot. If you arrive without a valid booking, or outside your allocated slot, you may be turned away. This rule matters most on weekends, bank-holiday periods, school holidays and sunny DIY/garden-clearance days.
If you are using a van, pick-up, large vehicle or trailer, check whether you need a permit. If you are using a hired van, you may need to show the hire agreement on arrival, and the hire period rules can apply. Cyclists can book a time slot, while pedestrian access is limited to specific arrangements at some HWRCs.
Southampton Recycling Center Address, Map and Local Access
The official address is Southampton HWRC, City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue, Southampton, SO15 0LJ. Locally, people may call it Southampton tip, Millbrook tip, City Depot recycling centre or Southampton Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Map note: Use the map for directions only. The final word on appointment rules, closure notices, hours and accepted items is the official Southampton/Hampshire HWRC page.
Accepted Items at Southampton Recycling Center
Southampton HWRC accepts many household items that cannot easily go in normal kerbside bins. The exact container and handling instructions can vary on site, so follow staff direction and sort your load before arrival.
| Item Type | Accepted / Usually Handled | How to Prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Cardboard | Large cardboard boxes and packaging. | Flatten boxes first. Put small paper and magazines in kerbside recycling where suitable. |
| Batteries | Household batteries and car batteries. | Keep batteries separate. Never put batteries in your home recycling bin due to fire risk. |
| Electrical items | Electrical equipment, appliances, mobile phones, vapes and e-cigarettes. | Remove personal data from devices. Keep cables and batteries safe. |
| Furniture and bulky items | Furniture, mattresses, bedding, carpets, wood and upholstered domestic seating. | Check whether bulky collection is easier if you cannot lift or transport items safely. |
| Garden waste | Garden waste and real Christmas trees. | Keep soil, rubble and garden waste separate. Avoid mixed black bags. |
| DIY and home improvement | Rubble, soil, sinks, toilets, baths, plasterboard and wallpaper may be handled under DIY rules. | Check allowance and chargeable waste rules before loading large amounts. |
| Hazardous household materials | Paint, light bulbs, household chemicals, fire extinguishers, printer cartridges and engine oil may have specific containers. | Keep lids tight, do not mix liquids, and ask site staff where to place them. |
| Textiles | Clothing and textiles. | Bag clean textiles separately where possible. Use textile banks if that is easier. |
Cardboard Recycling in Southampton
Large cardboard boxes can be recycled at Southampton HWRC, but you should flatten them before arriving. Small paper, newspapers and magazines may belong in your home recycling bin instead, so do not make a tip trip for small household paper unless you are already going with other accepted items.
Electrical Recycling in Southampton
Electrical items, mobile phones, vapes and appliances should be handled carefully. Anything with a battery, plug or cable can create problems if it is put in the wrong bin. Before recycling phones, computers or tablets, remove personal data and memory cards.
Items Not Accepted or Not Suitable for Southampton HWRC
Not everything can go to Southampton HWRC. Some materials need a special licensed site, police advice, a retailer take-back service, clinical waste route, commercial waste carrier or separate disposal scheme. If you are unsure, check the official item list before booking.
DIY Waste, Rubble, Plasterboard and Chargeable Waste
Southampton HWRC can handle some household DIY materials, but DIY waste is more restricted than ordinary recycling. Rubble, soil, plasterboard, bathroom fixtures, sinks, toilets and similar materials may be subject to quantity limits, booking rules or chargeable waste rules.
Do not load a van full of renovation waste assuming it will be accepted like normal household recycling. If the waste came from a builder, business, landlord job or commercial project, it may count as trade waste rather than household waste.
Southampton Home Recycling vs Southampton HWRC
For normal weekly recycling, Southampton residents should not automatically drive to the HWRC. Southampton’s home recycling list focuses on six main items: paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tins, empty aerosols and plastic bottles. Even if a package says “recyclable,” it may not be accepted in Southampton’s kerbside system.
| Material | Best First Option | When HWRC May Help |
|---|---|---|
| Paper and small cardboard | Home recycling bin if accepted and clean. | Use HWRC for large cardboard loads or packaging after a move. |
| Aluminium cans and tins | Home recycling bin. | HWRC usually not needed for normal cans. |
| Empty aerosols | Home recycling if empty and accepted. | Ask council guidance for non-empty or hazardous containers. |
| Plastic bottles | Home recycling bin. | Do not assume all plastic packaging is accepted. |
| Glass bottles and jars | Use Southampton glass box or recycling banks where applicable. | Do not put glass into the wrong container. |
| Batteries and electricals | Do not put in normal recycling bin. | Use HWRC, retailer take-back or approved electrical recycling route. |
Glass, Textiles and Local Recycling Banks in Southampton
Some useful recycling options are not the HWRC and not your normal home recycling bin. Southampton has recycling banks for certain materials such as glass, textiles and other local collection streams. These are useful if your item is small, clean and accepted at the bank.
If a recycling bank is full, do not leave items beside it. Leaving bags, bottles or textiles next to a full bank can be treated as fly-tipping. Use another bank, wait for it to be emptied, or use the official reporting route.
Electricals, Batteries, Vapes and Fire Risk
Batteries, vapes, phones, laptops and small electricals can cause fires when placed in the wrong bin or crushed inside waste machinery. Southampton HWRC lists batteries, car batteries, mobile phones, vapes and electrical equipment among handled item categories, but you should keep them separate and follow staff instructions.
Before taking phones, laptops, tablets, hard drives or smart devices, erase personal data, remove SIM or memory cards where possible, sign out of accounts, and back up anything important. A recycling site manages the material; it does not guarantee your personal data is protected.
Bulky Waste: When Collection May Be Easier Than the Tip
If you cannot safely lift or transport furniture, mattresses, white goods or heavy household items, a bulky waste collection may be safer than visiting the recycling centre. Southampton bulky waste collections are separate from HWRC visits and have their own booking and collection rules.
Bulky waste collections usually take place during a daytime collection window. Put items out only as instructed by the council. If an item is not presented correctly or was not out when the crew came, the crew may not return.
Nearby Recycling Centres Around Southampton
Southampton residents can also use Hampshire HWRCs free of charge, but a booking is still required and each site may have different layout or item restrictions. Nearby options can be helpful if Southampton slots are full or if a specific material is accepted at another site.
| Nearby Option | Why It May Help | Check Before You Go |
|---|---|---|
| Marchwood HWRC | Useful for west Southampton and Waterside-area residents. | Booking, access layout, item restrictions and seasonal hours. |
| Netley HWRC | Useful for east/southampton-water side journeys and some materials not accepted at Southampton. | Booking, asbestos rules, vehicle access and accepted items. |
| Hedge End HWRC | Useful for east Southampton, Bitterne, Thornhill and motorway-side trips. | Booking, site layout and item rules. |
| Eastleigh HWRC | Useful for north Southampton and airport-side residents. | Booking, item restrictions and vehicle rules. |
Before-You-Go Checklist for Southampton Recycling Center
- Book your slot first. Use the official HWRC booking system and save your confirmation before loading the car.
- Check the season and Sunday hours. Remember: Apr-Sep 9am-6pm, March 9am-5pm, Oct-Feb 9am-4pm, with 12:30-1pm closure every day.
- Sort your waste at home. Separate cardboard, wood, metal, electricals, batteries, garden waste, rubble, paint and textiles before you arrive.
- Keep dangerous items separate. Do not mix chemicals. Keep lids tight. Keep batteries, vapes and electricals away from paper/cardboard.
- Check vehicle rules. Vans, pick-ups, trailers and hire vehicles may need permits or proof such as hire paperwork.
- Use home recycling where possible. Paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tins, empty aerosols and plastic bottles may be easier through home recycling.
- Do not bring trade waste. Business, builder, landlord or commercial waste needs a proper licensed route.
Official Southampton Recycling Links
Frequently Asked Questions About Southampton Recycling Center
Where is Southampton recycling center?
Southampton Household Waste Recycling Centre is at City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue, Southampton, SO15 0LJ.
Is Southampton recycling centre open on Sunday?
Yes. Southampton HWRC is listed as open 7 days a week, including Sunday, except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Sunday uses the same seasonal hours and daily 12:30pm-1pm closure.
What are Southampton recycling centre opening hours?
The centre is listed as 9am-6pm from 1 April to 30 September, 9am-5pm from 1 March to 31 March, and 9am-4pm from 1 October to 28 February. It closes from 12:30pm to 1pm every day.
Do I need to book Southampton tip?
Yes. Appointments are required to visit Southampton HWRC. You may be turned away if you arrive without a valid booking or outside your allocated time slot.
Can Southampton residents use Hampshire recycling centres?
Yes. Southampton residents can access Hampshire HWRCs free of charge, but booking, vehicle and site rules still apply.
What can I take to Southampton recycling centre?
Common accepted categories include large cardboard, batteries, car batteries, electrical equipment, mobile phones, garden waste, furniture, wood, textiles, paint, light bulbs, rubble, soil, plasterboard, mattresses and other household materials, subject to site rules.
Can I take cardboard to Southampton recycling centre?
Yes. Large cardboard boxes and packaging can be recycled at Southampton HWRC. Flatten boxes before visiting. Smaller paper and cardboard may be suitable for home recycling.
Can I take batteries or electrical items?
Yes, Southampton HWRC lists household batteries, car batteries, electrical equipment, mobile phones and vapes among handled item categories. Keep them separate and never place batteries in the normal recycling bin.
Can I take asbestos to Southampton HWRC?
No. Cement-bonded asbestos is only accepted at specific licensed Hampshire HWRCs, not Southampton. Other types of asbestos are not accepted through normal HWRC routes.
Does Southampton recycling centre accept commercial waste?
No. Southampton HWRC is for household waste. Trade, commercial, builder or business waste needs a licensed commercial waste route.
What can I recycle at home in Southampton?
Southampton home recycling focuses on six main items: paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tins, empty aerosols and plastic bottles. Other items may need a glass box, recycling bank, HWRC or specialist route.
Is Recycling-Centre.org the official Southampton recycling website?
No. Recycling-Centre.org is an independent guide. Always verify bookings, opening hours, closures, accepted items and vehicle rules with Southampton City Council or Hampshire County Council before visiting.
Final Local Summary
For most household waste and larger recycling needs in Southampton, use Southampton HWRC at City Depot and Recycling Park, First Avenue, SO15 0LJ. The centre is listed as open seven days a week, including Sunday, but you must book first and avoid the daily 12:30pm-1pm closure.
Use your home recycling bin first for everyday accepted items such as paper, cardboard, aluminium cans, tins, empty aerosols and plastic bottles. Use the HWRC for larger or special household items such as large cardboard, batteries, electricals, garden waste, furniture, paint, wood, rubble, soil and similar materials. Do not bring trade waste, ammunition, explosives, unapproved asbestos, medical waste or unsafe materials.