From Wednesday 14 January 2026 you will need to book in advance to visit Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) in Oxfordshire, including the nearby site in Alkerton.

See here for more details of how to book a visit online.

If you can’t book online, you can book by phone on 01865 519800.

Bookings can be made up to two weeks in advance and up to 30 minutes before a visit (subject to availability).

You will need to select a site, the type of waste you are bringing and the date and time of your visit. When you visit you will be asked for your booking number and proof of address, such as a driving licence, utility bill or council tax bill, to show you are an Oxfordshire resident and are eligible to use the HWRCs for free (excluding DIY Waste charges).

OCC are also asking people to sort all the recycling within their waste, ideally before they arrive at an HWRC, to help speed up their visit and maximise recycling.

See here for general advice on visiting an HWRC.

Residents who live outside Oxfordshire

OCC sites are still open to people who live outside of Oxfordshire; however, from 14 January 2026 they will need to pay £15 per visit to use one of the seven Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Changes to van and trailer e-permits

OCC are also making a few changes to the van and trailer permit scheme:

• The number of visits allowed per permit holder will be reduced from 12 to 10 per year.
• All trailers will need a permit and must be no longer than 2.4 metres to be allowed on site.
• Horseboxes and horsebox vans will no longer be allowed at HWRCs.
• Vehicles or trailers with ramps and / or tipping mechanisms will not be allowed. This restriction does not apply to specially adapted vehicles to assist customers with disabilities, and current arrangements for those vehicle types are not changing.
• Vehicles registered to businesses, used for work, or displaying business branding/signage will not be allowed. If you do not have another vehicle in your household, you can apply to be considered for an exception. We may request further information and exemptions are granted at the sole discretion of the council.
• If someone currently has a van or trailer permit and still needs one, they will need to reapply. All existing permit holders will receive an email with clear instructions on how to reapply.