Quick answer
Check the opening times and whether you need to book before you load the car. Household rubbish, garden waste and most recycling are usually free, DIY waste such as rubble and plasterboard is often charged, and vans may need a permit. If you have no van or a big load in Eastbourne, a collection can be simpler.
St Philip's Avenue
Nearest site
Run by East Sussex County Council
Booking required
Booking
Everyone books a slot, even on foot
Vans Tue, Thu, Sat
Vans and trailers
Cars can visit any open day
Charged above allowance
DIY waste
Free weekly allowance first
Where the Eastbourne tip isSection titled Where%20the%20Eastbourne%20tip%20is
Eastbourne is served by the Eastbourne household waste recycling site, on St Philip's Avenue, Eastbourne, BN22 8NB. The household waste recycling sites are provided by East Sussex County Council, which is the waste disposal authority for the area.
The county council's list of recycling sites also shows Hailsham (off Station Road, BN27 2BY) and Lewes (Ham Lane, BN7 3PS). Eastbourne is the closest site for most of the town. Note that the council says it will turn you away if you try to visit different sites in the same week.
Opening timesSection titled Opening%20times
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday to Thursday | 8:30am to 4pm |
| Friday | 8:30am to 3:30pm |
| Saturday and Sunday | 8am to 12pm |
These times are taken from the Eastbourne site page. The page says special dates override the weekly hours, and it lists Christmas Eve 2026 (Thursday 24 December) as 8:30am to 1pm. Hours, last entry times and holiday closures can change, so check the page before you go.
Do you need to book?Section titled Do%20you%20need%20to%20book%3F
Yes. The council says you must book a slot to visit all household waste recycling sites in East Sussex, and that everyone must book, whether they are driving, walking or cycling.
- Book through the council's online booking system.
- You can book for the same day, or up to two weeks ahead.
- You can arrive at any time within your 30-minute slot. If you arrive late, you might not be let in.
- To cancel or change a booking, use the links in your confirmation email, or call 0345 60 80 194.
Vans, trailers and permitsSection titled Vans%2C%20trailers%20and%20permits
The council's visiting site rules cover vehicles:
- Cars can use the Eastbourne site on any open day. Vans, including hired vans, are only allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
- Vans must be under 3,500kg gross vehicle weight and must not be Luton, flatbed, tipper, cage or box style.
- Van drivers need photo ID plus a second ID showing their home address, such as a recent utility or Council Tax bill.
- Work vans cannot be used where the waste matches the business, for example garden waste in a landscaping van.
- Trailers do not need a separate booking if you have one for your car or van. At Eastbourne the maximum length (excluding the towbar) is 1.8 metres Friday to Monday and 2.4 metres Tuesday to Thursday.
- The Eastbourne page also lists a 2 metre vehicle height limit.
You must live in East Sussex and pay Council Tax to Eastbourne, Hastings, Lewes, Rother or Wealden councils, unless exempt. If asked, show one current form of ID, such as a photocard driving licence or a current-year Council Tax bill. Each booking is valid for one visit, and the council's rules page does not state a yearly visit limit. Charity waste permit holders must book and select the charity option.
What you can take for freeSection titled What%20you%20can%20take%20for%20free
The Eastbourne site page lists these as accepted free, among others:
- Cardboard and glass
- Garden waste
- Furniture
- Electrical goods
- Scrap metal
- Wood and MDF
- Paint and household batteries
- Engine oil, up to 10 litres per household per visit
- Small amounts of household chemicals in sealed, clearly labelled containers
Rubble, plasterboard and soil are also free up to a weekly allowance, covered below. The council's site page has a waste-type filter if you need to check a specific item.
What the tip charges forSection titled What%20the%20tip%20charges%20for
East Sussex gives a small free weekly allowance of some DIY waste and charges for anything above it. These figures come from the council's visiting site rules, and the allowance runs Monday to Sunday:
- Rubble and hardcore: two 50-litre bags or one item free, then £6.50 per bag or item.
- Soil: two 50-litre bags free, then £6.50 per bag.
- Plasterboard: two 50-litre bags or one 1800 x 900mm sheet free, then £6.50 per bag or sheet.
- Tyres: no free allowance, £2.70 per tyre, maximum 4 per calendar month.
- Bonded asbestos: no free allowance, £8.00 per bag or sheet, maximum 6 bags or 4 sheets per calendar month.
East Sussex County Council charges for DIY waste
Charged only above the weekly free allowance, except tyres and asbestos
Rubble and soil
Per 50-litre bag or item after two free bags a week
£6.50
Plasterboard
Per bag or sheet after the free allowance
£6.50
Tyres
Per tyre, max 4 a month
£2.70
Bonded asbestos
Per bag or sheet, max 6 bags or 4 sheets a month
£8.00
Charges and accepted materials change. Recheck the operator's official page before you load the car.
Council prices and rules change, so recheck the official page before you book.
What the tip will not takeSection titled What%20the%20tip%20will%20not%20take
- Trade or business waste, including construction and demolition waste from businesses.
- Asbestos tanks. Only bonded asbestos is accepted, and you should not break it up yourself.
- Hard plastics such as brittle plastics, child car seats, fibreglass baths and rubber hoses or matting, plus plastic pots, tubs, trays, bags and bubble wrap (these go in general waste).
- Mixed loads. The council asks you not to mix different waste types together.
These come from the Eastbourne site page and the visiting site rules. Neither says where refused items should go instead.
When it is easier to have it collectedSection titled When%20it%20is%20easier%20to%20have%20it%20collected
A collection tends to beat a tip run when you have no suitable van or time to book a slot, when vans are only allowed on three days a week, when the load is too big for one trip, when you are clearing heavy furniture or a whole room, or when you have more rubble or plasterboard than the free allowance. Eastbourne Waste Collection loads from anywhere on the property and takes mixed waste in one visit.
No van, no booking slot?
We collect mixed household rubbish, furniture and garden waste across Eastbourne, loaded from anywhere on the property, usually the same week.
Tip run or collection?
A few bags or small items and a car
Tip runA car can visit any open day, once you have booked a slot online.
You need a van or trailer for it
Collection, or plan around van daysVans are only allowed on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with ID checks.
Rubble, plasterboard or other DIY waste
Collection for larger amountsOnly two bags a week are free, then each extra bag is charged.
Heavy furniture, a full room or no time
Private collectionOne visit covers loading, transport and disposal.
Common questionsSection titled Common%20questions
Can I use the tip if I do not live in East Sussex?Section titled Can%20I%20use%20the%20tip%20if%20I%20do%20not%20live%20in%20East%20Sussex%3F
Yes, but the council charges non-East Sussex residents £8.75 per visit, taken by card on the day. You still need to book a slot. See the booking page for details.
Can I take garden waste or rubble from a DIY job?Section titled Can%20I%20take%20garden%20waste%20or%20rubble%20from%20a%20DIY%20job%3F
Garden waste is accepted free. Rubble, soil and plasterboard are free up to a weekly allowance of two 50-litre bags (or one item or sheet, for rubble and plasterboard), then charged at £6.50 per bag, per the visiting site rules. Trade waste is not allowed.
Is the tip open on bank holidays?Section titled Is%20the%20tip%20open%20on%20bank%20holidays%3F
The Eastbourne site page does not list general bank holiday arrangements. It says special dates override the weekly hours and shows Christmas Eve 2026 as 8:30am to 1pm. Check that page before you travel on any bank holiday.
Related servicesSection titled Related%20services
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