Van Permit Scheme

What is the Van Permit Scheme?

Vans and trailers must have a permit to enable them to visit the Household Recycling Centre. 

Permits can only be issued to residents of Torfaen. The site attendant will check your Permit when you arrive at the site, as well as your proof of address, for instance a recent utility bill, to ensure the waste is from your home.

Why have permits?

The permits are intended to stop illegal use of the site for disposal of trade waste and by residents outside the Borough. If you bring your waste to the site in a commercial type vehicle, or with a trailer without a permit, you will not be allowed to tip your waste.

How do I get a permit?

Request a van/trailer Permit

There is an administration charge of £10 for each van and trailer permit.

The site is open 7 days a week and access is available for vehicles with a permit between 10.00am and 3.00pm

Do I have to apply for a permit for every visit?

Each permit covers one visit to the site. Each household can apply for up to 12 permits per year.

Which vehicles require a permit?

Vehicles that do not require a permit

• Cars (other than those which fall into the below categories)
• SUVs and 4x4 (excluding those which fall into the below categories)
• People carriers (up to 7 seats, only rear row folded)
• Disability-adapted vehicles within site size and weight limits
• Small Campervans (must be less than 5 metres and be fully fitted and used as a campervan)

Vehicles that require a permit

• Vans (≤3.5t, ≤5m length, ≤2.2m height)
• Car-derived vans (e.g., VW Caddy, Ford Transit Connect)
• Combi vans
• Pick-ups (e.g., Ford Ranger, VW Amarok)
• Minibuses (e.g., Mercedes Sprinter, within size limits)
• Vehicles with permanently removed rear seats and/or blanked out rear/side windows
• Cars with trailers (≤1.8m length)

Vehicles that are not allowed on site

• Vehicles exceeding 5m length or 2.2m height.
• Vehicles over 3.5t
• Commercial vehicles
• Large/long-wheeled base campervans (exceeding 5 metres in length)
• Campervans that no longer have their internal fixtures and fittings
• Tippers, Flat bed, box vehicles, horseboxes, caravans, motorhomes, tractors
• Cars with trailers >1.8m length

What if I hire/borrow a vehicle to dispose of household waste at short notice?

You still need a permit before you can use the site. When you apply for a permit, you will be asked for details of the vehicle you will be driving and for how long you intend to use it. Permits cannot be issued at the Household Recycling Centre. For hired vehicles, you will need to take your Hire Agreement (as well as proof of ID) with you to identify that you are the hirer of the vehicle. 

Is there a limit to how much waste I can bring to the Household Recycling Centre?

Yes, you can only bring up to one tonne of waste per visit to the site. Overweight vehicles may be turned away.

Large quantities of rubble and construction/demolition waste are not considered to be household waste and will not be accepted.

If you have large quantities of construction / demolition waste, we advise you to use a skip service or waste contractor.

Rubble and soil must be contained in suitable bags or containers.

Can I apply for a permit for trades people working on my house?

No. Applications cannot be made on behalf of other people such as trades people employed by you to undertake work. This waste must be paid for – if you tip trade waste at the site without paying, you are breaking the law.

When is the Household Recycling Centre open?

Visit the Household Recycling Centre page for details of openings times and items accepted at the site. 

Last Modified: 30/10/2025 Back to top