HWRCs

Our HWRCs (Household Waste Recycling Centres) are available to all Blackburn with Darwen residents who wish to dispose of any waste which may not fit into your regular bins at home.

This might be excess, uncommon waste and / or larger bulkier items, such as:

Asbestos (Blackburn only)

Bicycles

Carpets

Electrical items (including batteries and vapes)

Fridges, freezers and other large household items

Gas Bottles

Hardcore materials (including soil, rubble, bricks, tiles etc)

Mattresses

Scrap Metal

Textiles

Tyres

Wood

Our site opening times:

Blackburn HWRC

George Street West, BB2 1PQ

Open every day except Wednesdays

1 April – 30 September: 8am – 7pm

1 October to 31 March 8am to 5pm

Darwen HWRC

Spring Vale Road, BB3 2ES

Open every day except Tuesdays 

1 April – 30 September: 8am – 7pm

1 October to 31 March 8am to 5pm

To access either of our sites, you will need to prove you live in the borough.

To do this, you can show:

  • your current Council tax bill

  • your current utility, mortgage, bank or credit card statement

  • a photo ID with your address (such as passport or driving license)

  • a van / DIY permit

Soon, we will opening a new reuse shop at our Blackburn site!

Find good deals on many different items, or donate something which someone else may enjoy.

Keep an eye on the website and our social medias for more updates.

Check if you need any permits before you arrive at the HWRCs:

Hoping to use your van, pickup or trailer?

You need a permit for that. Click this box to apply.

This link will take you to an external website.

Hoping to dispose of any DIY / construction waste?

You need a permit for that. Click this box to apply.

This link will take you to an external website.

Recent sampling at our Household Waste Recycling Centres has shown that a large amount of material in black bags is actually clean and easily recyclable waste such as paper, cardboard, glass, cans and plastics.

To help increase recycling, we are introducing quick checks on black bags at our sites.

This means our team may ask to check your black bags to separate any items that can be recycled, helping us to keep these valuable materials from going to waste and reducing contamination.

We understand residents want their visit to be quick and easy.

By sorting your waste before you travel and keeping recyclable items separate, you will avoid the need for a bag check and help us recycle even more.

Together, we can reduce waste, protect your environment and save money for important council services.

Thank you for supporting a cleaner and greener Blackburn with Darwen.

 

 

  • Why are you checking black bags?

    We have found that many black bags contain clean, recyclable items such as paper, glass, cans and plastics. Checking bags helps make sure these valuable materials are recycled instead of being thrown away.

  • Will this make my visit take longer?

    It’s usually very quick. You can help keep things moving by separating recyclables before you set off.

  • What should I separate out?

    Cardboard, paper, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and containers, metal tins and cans and any other materials accepted for recycling at our centres.

  • What if my waste is messy?

    We will only separate items that are clean and suitable to recycle. General waste or items that cannot be recycled will still be disposed of as normal.

  • What if I already sort my waste?

    Thank you! If recyclable items are already separated, there will be no need to check inside your bags.

  • Which sites are doing this?

    Black bag checks are currently taking place at Blackburn and Darwen Household Waste Recycling Centres.

  • How does this help the environment?

    Recycling saves resources, reduces items going to waste and supports a cleaner, greener Blackburn with Darwen.