You don't have to book at ours.

I was sawing wood because my workshop is full. We need to build a bigger one, perhaps a project for 2024.

And, of course, stop with the stupid "only use the council you're with" ruling that can make such things impossible to use.

When I was in Beds, my closest tip was 8 miles away, but in the realm of Milton Keynes Council. The next closest (10 miles) was *also* in the realm of yet another council.

So once they got strict on who can use each one, I instead had to travel about 20 miles to Dunstable to use one that was in the realm of my own council.

How that is "better" is utterly beyond me, to be honest.

And, as you say, then they complain that more fly-tipping is happening. (And also costs them far more than simply allowing anyone to use any tip)

Lyle - yes, absolutely.

Can't you just say you live at a local address or you've just moved and haven't got the new paperwork yet?

Some sites require a council tax bill.

There are several LAs that use ANPR to clock all users and also monitor frequency of visits.

Just thinking - do any councils still provide refuse facilities themselves or are they now all contracted out to eg Suez or Veoila?

The whole recycling ruleset is completely unintelligible.

Debster,

Where I was, the councils in question were using ANPR plus DVLA database for vehicle-owner addresses, so it was harder to do. (If one had a hire car for the weekend it was possible to piss them about, though)

The ones who require booking do something similar - you've got to give the reg and address, and then they check it against DVLA records. (As I understand it, anyway)

It's been a while since I had need to go to our Reuse and Recycling but I used to just rock up in the car during opening hours, no questions asked. Our London borough comes under the North London Waste Authority and I think I can use neighbouring boroughs facilities (only I wouldn't as they're further away). I think it's only people with vans or trailers who get checked.
But when my daughter lived in Herts I took her to their locality facility a couple of times. Quite a trek and mobbed with a long queue.
As you say, no wonder people either fly tip or use dodgy contractors.

To Lyle, it's probably a matter of which councils pay for them. Tim's local recycling centre in Reading, which was huge, fabulous, took everything including broken glass and paint (which was given to people in need if still usable) used to be open to all, funded by Reading council and a next door one. Then the next door council withdrew its funding contribution. It was understandable that it was then said that only Reading residents could use it. Anything with your proof of address would do, but you also had to have proof of identity.
You don't need an appointment in Norfolk but you do in Suffolk. I've burned a lot of stuff for Alex's family as the tip will take so little at a time. But it makes for jolly firework parties.