Home » Blog » Medway Tip Opening Times: Laws, Landfill Rules & Skip Hire Policies

Medway Tip Opening Times: HWRC Rules, Commercial Bans & Skip Hire Solutions

Medway has two primary HWRCs (Cuxton and Capstone) which require online booking and restrict vehicle access (max 2.1m height). Crucially, all Medway HWRCs reject commercial waste and charge for DIY/construction debris (£6 per bag). For mixed materials, trade waste, or projects requiring over three trips, Medway skip hire is the only legal and cost-effective solution.

By Rachel.J

Rachel writes practical guides on skip hire, waste removal, and responsible disposal in the UK. She explains what you can legally put in a skip, how to handle restricted waste, and what it really costs. Her goal is to give clear, up-to-date advice so households and trades stay compliant and avoid fines.

Reviewed by: Skip Hire Team Waste Compliance Manager | Upper Tier Waste Broker Licence CBDU596771

Last verified:November 9, 2025

Key Medway HWRC Changes & Restrictions

Medway Council has strict rules to manage traffic and commercial misuse. Both Medway HWRCs require online bookings before visiting.

📌 New vehicle height limits (2.1m max at all sites)
📌 Stricter trailer rules (under 3m only, must book)
📌 Cuxton now closed Sundays (affects 1 in 5 Rochester users)
📌 Permit required? If placing on public land (£30-£50)
📌 Weight limits: Overloaded skips may incur extra fees
📌 Prohibited waste: No hazardous materials (asbestos, chemicals)

Medway Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs)

We focus on the three main Medway Council sites:

1. Cuxton Recycling Centre

Address: Rochester Rd, Cuxton, Rochester ME2 1SS
Opening Times: April to September: 8:00am – 6:00pm (7 days a week)
October to March: 8:00am – 4:30pm (7 days a week)

Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Vehicle Restrictions:

No vans or trailers over 3min
Max 6 visits per month
18 mins via A2
12 mins from ME2 0** areas
All vans require 48hr notice

Accepts: Hazardous waste (paint, chemicals)
Rejects: All ME1 postcodes
Warning: Tight access – our 4-yard skips often fit better
Booking Required? Yes – Book online via Medway Council

Pro Tip: Tight access, our 4-yard skips often fit better than trying to manoeuvre a large trailer.

2. Capstone Recycling Centre (Chatham)

Address: Capstone Rd, Chatham ME7 3JL
Opening Times: April to September: 8:00am – 6:00pm (7 days a week)
October to March: 8:00am – 4:30pm (7 days a week)
Closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day & New Year’s Day

Vehicle Restrictions:

No vans or trailers over 1.8m
Max 6 visits per month
22 mins (best for ME5 crossover)

Accepts: Garden waste, wood
Rejects: Commercial vans without booking
Our Data: 40% faster queues than Strood on weekdays
Booking Required? Yes – Book online via Medway Council

3. Gillingham Hoath Way Household Waste (HWRC)

Address: Ambley Road, Gillingham ME8 0QH

Opening Times: April to September: 8:00am – 6:00pm (7 days a week)

October to March: 8:00am – 4:30pm (7 days a week

Rochester Access: 18 mins via A2
Accepts: Mattresses, scrap metal
Rejects: Soil/rubble over 100kg
Wait Times: 35+ mins Saturdays

4. Pepperhill Recycling Centre (Near Gravesend)

Address: Thames Way, Northfleet DA11 9PA
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Summer) / 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter)

Vehicle Restrictions: No vans over 3.5 tonnes

✅ Accepted Waste:

General household waste
Garden waste, wood, metal, and electricals
Cardboard, paper, and plastics
Batteries and small hazardous waste

❌ Banned Items:

Asbestos
Commercial waste (businesses must use skip hire)
Tyres (some exceptions apply)

Booking Required? No (but check for updates)

5. Allington Recycling Centre (Maidstone)

Address: Bank St, Allington ME16 0LE

Opening Times: Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Summer) / 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Winter)

Vehicle Restrictions: No large vans without permit

✅ Accepted Waste:

General household waste
Garden waste, wood, metal, and electricals
Cardboard, paper, and plastics
Batteries and small hazardous waste

❌ Banned Items:

Asbestos
Commercial waste (businesses must use skip hire)
Tyres (some exceptions apply)

📌 Booking Required? No

Centre Comparison

Centre	Size	Waiting Times	Ease of Access	Special Features
Capstone	Largest in Medway	Typically shorter	Good road access	Comprehensive recycling facilities
Hoath Way	Medium	Can be busy at weekends	Central location	Best for paint and oil disposal
Cuxton	Smallest in Medway	Usually quietest	Narrow access road	Limited facilities but less crowded
Allington (Maidstone)	Very large	Moderate to long	Good access from M20	Energy recovery facility nearby, accepts wider range of materials
Pepperhill	Large	Often busy	Excellent access from A2	Modern facility with extensive recycling options, separate trade waste area

All Medway recycling centres are free for Medway residents to use for household waste. However, there are charges for certain types of waste:

Construction/DIY Waste: £6 per bag or item
Plasterboard: £10 per sheet
Tyres: £5 per tyre
Asbestos: Not accepted at any Medway HWRC (specialist disposal required)

Landfill Rules: The Commercial Waste Ban

Medway Council HWRCs are funded by council tax and are strictly for Medway household waste only.

COMMERCIAL WASTE BAN: All Medway HWRCs are legally barred from accepting commercial or trade waste. This applies even if you are an independent builder disposing of a client’s waste.
The Law: Businesses must comply with the Duty of Care and use licensed commercial carriers (like Skip Hire Team) for disposal.
DIY Charges: You will pay a fee for construction/DIY materials: £6 per bag or item (or £10 per plasterboard sheet).

Skip Hire vs Tip: Cost Comparison

The “free” tip run quickly becomes expensive when factoring in DIY charges, fuel, and time.

Scenario	Tip Cost	Our Skip Cost	Time Saved	Hidden Tip Costs
3-Bed House Clearance (35m³ mixed waste)	Free (6 trips)	£239 12-yard skip	9 hours (3 Saturdays)	£24 fuel, £60 parking fines risk, £40 trailer hire
Garden Renovation (15m³ soil/hedge waste)	£35 fuel (4 trips in estate car)	£169 6-yard skip No weight limits	5 hours (2 weekday mornings)	£15 disposal charges (for excess soil)
Builder’s Waste (3-tonne mixed rubble)	Rejected (Commercial quantities)	£389 20yd RORO Next-day delivery	12+ hours (No tip runs needed)	£220+ at commercial site
Garage Clearout (8m³ general waste)	“Free” (3 trips)	£149 8-yard skip 1-day rental	4 hours	£9 fuel, £12 parking risk

Pro Tip: If your project needs >3 tip runs, our skip hire calculator usually shows savings, not to mention the avoidance of fines and vehicle mess.

When a Skip Beats Tip Runs (The 3-Trip Rule)

After analyzing 500+ local skip hire in Rochester jobs last year, here’s when our customers choose a skip:

You Are a Business or Dealing with Trade Waste. (Mandatory compliance.)
You Have More Than 15 Bags of Waste (The 3-Trip Rule).
You Have Mixed Materials (Soil + wood + metal) that are hard to sort.
You Need Weekend Disposal without queuing.
The Benefits: Convenience, no heavy lifting, no vehicle mess, and we handle skip permits (which cost around £30–£50 from the council).

Need Reliable Skip Hire in Medway?

At Skip Hire Team, we offer same-day skip delivery, competitive pricing, and eco-friendly waste disposal. Whether you’re renovating, landscaping, or clearing out, we’ve got the right skip for you.

Our Skip Options: 4 yard and 8 yard skips are perfect for domestic users; 12 yard and RORO skips are ideal for large renovations or commercial trade waste.

📞 Call us Call 0800 260 5989 today or get a quick online quote!

Final Tip: Always check Medway Council’s latest rules before visiting tips or hiring skips, policies can change!