Van Permit System at Recycling Centres
You need a permit if you wish to bring household waste
into the Recycling Centres in a van or large trailer.
What is the Van Permit System?
You need a permit to show as you enter the site if you want to
bring household waste into our Recycling Centres in any van, small
lorry or large trailer. This includes small service vans, estate
vans, transit-style vans, box vans, pick-ups, flat-beds, whether
they are sign-written or not.
Trailers with a container size that is 1.8m long x 1.2 m wide x
0.5m deep or larger, will require a permit to use any of the
Household Waste Recycling Centres. In addition trailers larger than
8ft long x 4.6ft wide cannot use Bath or Welton HWRC sites due to
health and safety restrictions.
You need to apply for a permit by completing and sending in
the form (online or by printing and sending in using
the links on the right hand column). It will be valid for 12
visits after which you will need to apply for a new permit (see
downloadable renewal form on the right, please note that renewals
may NOT be completed via the online form).
We process applications and issue a permit or a letter
detailing a query on your application within 10 working days
of receipt. No permit will be needed for cars, people
carriers, large 4x4 cars, camper vans, small trailers - smaller
than 1.8m long by 1.2m wide (approximately 6ft by 4ft).
There are also new limits on the amount of some types of DIY
waste that can be recycled or disposed of at the Recycling Centres
which apply even if you have a Van Permit. For more
information see our
Construction & Demolition Waste limits page.
Why has this been introduced?
The Council’s Recycling Centres are provided for the residents
of Bath & North East Somerset to dispose of household waste
only, free of charge.
We want to encourage residents to recycle as much waste as
possible by separating it into the appropriate site containers such
as metal, wood and rubble and this needs to be made as easy as
possible.
The van permit scheme is a measure to deter illegal use
of the sites by traders for the following reasons:
- To control costs to Council Tax payers - It costs the
Council to recycle or dispose of the waste which should be paid for
by the trader. Council tax payers would otherwise be subsidising
this illegal activity.
- To reduce congestion - It contributes to congestion on
the sites and can create ill-feeling with staff and an unpleasant
atmosphere for site users.
- To improve health & safety - By reducing the impacts
from the manoeuvring of large vehicles and handling of loose
waste.
Van Permit systems have been shown to be effective and fair
through other local authorities’ experience, nationwide.
How does the scheme work?
- There will be one permit issued free of charge per household
within Bath & North East Somerset upon application.
- It will be vehicle specific and non transferable.
- You will need to show the permit to the site staff on every
visit and details of your visit, including the type of waste you
bring in, may be logged.
- The permit will be valid for 12 visits. You will then need to
re-apply for a new permit, by writing in or returning a
renewal/replacement request form with the original permit
enclosed.
What if the van you use belongs to someone else?
- If you are not the owner of the vehicle (for example, if you
have the use of a company van), the owner will need to provide a
letter confirming their permission for you to use it. You will need
to send this in with your permit application form.
What about hiring a van?
- If you need to bring a large quantity of household waste (other
than
DIY waste, which is subject to a limit on quantity) to the
sites in a hire vehicle, you should bring the van hire agreement
and proof of residency such as your Council Tax bill or a Utility
bill.
What if you move house, change your van, damage or lose your
permit?
- We will update a change of address, new vehicle details or
replace damaged permits, if you return the existing one with a
written explanation.
- We will replace a lost permit on written request. Replacement
permits will be issued for 6 visits only to enable the system to be
monitored.
- You can use a renewal/replacement request form that is
available at the Recycling Centres, or for download from the
'Related Documents' section at the top of this page.
- The Council reserves the right to seek further explanation and
may withhold replacement.
Bath & North East Somerset is committed to providing
services to the public which are efficient, effective and
courteous. We will seek to ensure that our service provision
reflects this commitment consistently for everyone.
Violence, aggression, threatening behaviour or harassment
towards Council employees is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated. No employee should be required to accept it as a part of
their job. Incidents will be recorded and investigated.
Traders can dispose of their waste at the Council’s
Weighbridge sites at Bath and Midsomer Norton.
Up-to-date information on the opening hours and
current charges is available
here. Other trade waste disposal facilities can be found via
the internet, telephone directories or the Environment Agency on
08708 506 506.
How will this system be monitored?
- We give full authority and backing to our site attendants to
inspect the permits and the type of waste in the vehicle and the
details may be logged on a database.
- The site attendants may refuse entry if the permit is not shown
on request or take further action if they suspect the waste is not
household waste.
- There are further formal procedures which will be followed as
necessary, part of which may entail a visit by a Council Officer to
the home where the waste is generated.
- Replacement of lost permits will only be issued for 6 visits
then residents will be required to apply for a renewal.
This helps us to monitor any abuse of the system.
- The Council reserves the right to investigate permit use and,
if necessary, to withdraw individual permits in case of misuse or
abuse.
- If needs be, you may make a complaint through the Council’s
complaint process, via the website or Council
Connect.
