1. General

1.1 What is the van and trailer permit scheme?
1.2 Why am I not allowed to take construction waste in a van or trailer?
1.3 Can I have a permit for a hire van? I won't know the registration number until I pick it up.
1.4 What if I move house or buy a new van?

2. Permits

2.1 Will I have to pay for a permit?
2.2 How can I get a permit?
2.3 Who can apply for a permit?
2.4 I have hired a Man and Van to get rid of my rubbish - can he have a permit?
2.5 How many times can I use a permit?
2.6 What if I lose my permit number?
2.7 Why do I have to agree to terms and conditions to get a permit?

3. Vehicles

3.1 Which vehicles need a permit?
3.2 Which vehicles do not need a permit?
3.3 Which vehicles are not accepted at the CRCs?
3.4 My only vehicle is a trade van - can I still have a permit?

1. General

1.1 What is the van and trailer permit scheme?

Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) are provided for you to dispose of your own household waste and recycling. Trade waste must be taken to transfer stations where it can be weighed and paid for. Unfortunately due to the high cost of waste disposal, rogue traders try to access the CRCs and dispose of their waste for free. This means that Surrey residents may be paying for waste they should not be paying for.

The majority of trade waste is delivered to CRCs in commercial type vehicles such as vans and large trailers. As trade waste is not accepted at CRCs, vans and large trailers will have to apply for permits to ensure only household waste is brought to the sites.

The permit scheme will allow access for residents who use a commercial type vehicle or trailer to dispose of their own household waste. Preventing traders from entering the sites will also reduce onsite congestion and make visits to the sites quicker.

1.2 Why am I not allowed to take construction waste in a van or trailer?

Surrey County Council has a responsiblity to dispose of residents household waste free of charge. Construction waste is not household waste and therefore the sites do not have to accept it. However we do recognise that you will generate a small amount of construction waste from time to time. For this reason we will accept small amounts if brought to the site in a car only. Construction waste brought to the sites in a van or trailer will be redirected to a transfer station with a weighbridge where the waste can be weighed and a charge can be made for it.

1.3 Can I have a permit for a hire van? I won't know the registration number until I pick it up.

As you are using a hire van, you do not need to know the vehicles registration in advance. When you apply online if you select 'hire vehicle' in the 'type of vehicle' field, you can then leave the 'vehicle registration' field blank. When you go to the local communty recycling centre you may be asked for proof that it is a hire vehicle, so please bring both your permit and your hire van documentation.

1.4 What if I move house or buy a new van?

If you move or change your vehicle, please call 03456 009 009 to have your existing details updated. Please do not create another permit. Your details have already been submitted, so any new applications will fail.

2. Permits

2.1 Will I have to pay for a permit?

No. Permits are free if you wish to dispose of/recycle your own household waste using a van or pickup up to a transit size, or towing a trailer.

2.2 How can I get a permit?

You can apply for permits via the SCC website or by contacting SCC by telephone on 03456 009 009.

2.3 Who can apply for a permit?

Only residents who live within the administrative boundary of Surrey may apply for a permit. This means you have to live in one of the 11 Surrey districts or boroughs. You cannot have a permit if you live in London or one of the surrounding counties or boroughs. The permit allows access to the CRC in a van, pickup or towing a trailer. The permit is for the disposal or recycling of your household waste only. The CRCs do not accept trade waste. Therefore businesses may not apply for permits. Businesses may use any of the four transfer stations where waste can be weighed and paid for.

2.4 I have hired a Man and Van to get rid of my rubbish - can he have a permit?

No. As soon as you give your rubbish to another person or company and pay for them to take it away, it becomes trade waste and cannot be taken to the CRCs (Tips) for free. Trade waste must be taken to a transfer station where the waste can be weighed and paid for.

2.5 How many times can I use a permit?

There is no limit on how many times you can use your permit. However, to prevent use of the sites by businesses, your visits and the type of waste you bring will be recorded and monitored. Any abuse of the van permit scheme will result in your permit being cancelled.

2.6 What if I lose my permit number?

If you lose your permit number you can retrieve it on the lost permit number page or by calling 03456 009 009.

2.7 Why do I have to agree to terms and conditions to get a permit?

Agreeing to the terms and conditions indicates to us that you are only going to bring your own household waste to the sites. Not agreeing to them suggests that you might want to bring trade waste to the sites and try to tip it for free.

3. Vehicles

3.1 Which vehicles need a permit?

Any van up to transit size, pick-ups up to transit size, and any vehicle pulling a trailer.

3.2 Which vehicles do not need a permit?

No permit will be needed for cars, people carriers, large 4x4 cars or camper vans.

3.3 Which vehicles are not accepted at the CRCs?

Any vehicle larger than transit size (lorries, tippers) can cause problems at some smaller sites. Please call SITA Surrey on 01306 748300 for advice on larger vehicles.

3.4 My only vehicle is a trade van - can I still have a permit?

Yes, but only to bring your own household waste. You will not be allowed to dispose of trade or construction waste for free. The type of waste you bring will be recorded and your visits will be monitored to prevent abuse of the scheme by traders.