New permits and booking rules for Mid and East Antrim’s recycling centre from 19 October
Local Household Recycling Centre (HRC)
Tuesday 13 October 2026
Residents using vans as their only transport, double-axle trailers or horse boxes will need a permit before visiting Ballymena’s Waveney Road recycling centre under new rules taking effect on Monday 19 October.
The online permit and booking system will also cover Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s main household recycling centres at Sullatober in Carrickfergus and Redlands in Larne.
Residents visiting in a private car, with or without a single-axle trailer, will not need to use the new system.
Who needs a permit
The council is advising residents to apply ahead of visiting if they use any of the following:
• A van as their only means of transport
• A double-axle trailer
• A horse box
Permits are also required for commercial businesses, community groups, charitable organisations and landlords using the household recycling centres.
Free household permits and visit limits
The free household permit will be available only to Mid and East Antrim ratepayers. Each household using a van will be entitled to up to 12 visits per year, with visits booked in advance through the online system.
Requests for additional visits will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Residents and organisations can check the guidance and register through the links at www.midandeastantrim.gov.uk/HRConline
Council points to costs of outside use
The council says the changes are intended to reduce unauthorised use, particularly commercial business use, and help improve recycling services and reduce waste sent to landfill.
Rowan Moore, the council’s Director of Place, said residents were bearing the cost of people from outside Mid and East Antrim using its facilities.
He said:
“The Council has noted a steady rise in what has been termed ’Waste Tourism‘, where visitors from outside the Borough are using our household recycling facilities.
“But waste costs money – and up to now it has been Mid and East Antrim ratepayers paying the bill. The new permit system and booking platform, will allow us to manage unauthorised usage of the HRCs, meet the requirement to reduce waste going to landfill and improve the recycling services we provide to residents and businesses based in the Borough.”
Check before your next visit
The system follows the council’s announcement earlier this year of investment to modernise waste and recycling services. The council says similar arrangements operate in other council areas.
Anyone in an affected category planning to visit Waveney Road, Sullatober or Redlands from Monday 19 October should check the requirements and apply online ahead of their trip to maintain access.
