CRC Trade Access Permit FAQs
What is a Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Trade Access Permit?
A CRC Trade Access Permit enables businesses to deposit their waste at our Community Recycling Centres.
Our Community Recycling Centre (CRC) Trade Access Permit only covers waste and recycling produced by the permit holder and cannot be used by Waste Management Companies to dispose of 3rd party waste. (Waste management companies are defined as companies that as part of their core activities collect commercial or household waste either in a skip or refuse collection vehicle or any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.)
Businesses without a permit will not be allowed to deposit waste at Community Recycling Centres.
Refer to the “How much waste am I permitted to dispose of and what are the load sizes?” section below to find out more about the volumes of waste which can be disposed of under this permit system.
How does the permit work?
- Customers buy a permit book containing 5 or 10 tickets online or by contacting Customer Advice and Support on 0300 100 1800 or visiting one of our Library/Contact Centres.
- Permit books are bought dependant on the waste type and load size you wish to deposit.
- Permit books must be taken with you whenever you visit our sites to dispose of your waste, failure to do so will result in you being turned away.
- Upon arrival on site, make yourself known to the site attendant and they will examine your waste to ensure it corresponds to the permit type and load size of your tickets.
- One ticket must be torn from the book for every load you deposit, signed by both the visitor and site attendant.
- The tickets will constitute a Waste Transfer Note for the purposes of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Section 34 (Duty of Care). You should retain top part of your ticket booklet for your records and keep them for at least two years. This is required to fulfill your duty of care.
- Some specific items under the Electrical Household Clearance Permit are classified as Hazardous Waste. You will need to provide a ‘Special Waste Consignment Note (SWCN)’ for each visit that you bring these items in. See below section for further information on this.
What types of permits do you offer?
We offer four types of CRC Trade Access Permits with differing load size options:
The Recycling Permit
Allows businesses to dispose of Dry, mixed recyclables such as paper, cardboard, cans and plastics (in line with the current kerbside collection service), scrap metal, green waste and wood. Tickets are available in small, medium and large load size.
The Recycling and General Waste Permit
Allows businesses to dispose of Green waste, *rubble, soil and stones, general waste; dry mixed recyclables such as paper, cardboard, cans and plastics (in line with the current kerbside collection service), scrap metal, and wood. Tickets are available in small, medium and large load size. Please note disposal of rubble & soil is limited to the equivalent of a small load size per day.
The Charity Disposing of Donated Household Goods Permit
Allows disposal of donated household items charities could not reuse or recycle in their shop, wood (i.e. furniture), scrap metal, general waste and domestic WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment – computers, white goods, fluorescent tubes & light bulbs, TVs, monitors etc.) batteries, books, CDs, and textiles. Tickets are available in small, medium and large load size.
The Electrical Household Clearance Permit
Allows businesses carrying out house clearances to dispose of domestic WEEE (Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment – computers, white goods, TV’s, monitors, small electrical items etc.) obtained during house clearances. Tickets are available in small load size. One ticket will allow disposal of one large electrical item, Fridge, Freezer, Fridge Freezer, Cooker, Dishwasher, Washing machine or multiple small electrical items. Tickets are available in small load size only.
How much waste am I permitted to dispose of and what are the load sizes?
Permits for Recycling Waste, Recycling and General Waste and Charity disposing of donated Household Goods can be bought in small, medium and large load sizes:
We have a maximum limit of one large load per customer per day.
Electrical Household Clearance Permits are only available in small load sizes.
One ticket will allow disposal of multiple small electrical items or one large electrical item, for example a fridge, freezer, fridge freezer, cooker, dishwasher or washing machine.
Selkirk CRC will accept small load sizes only.
Information on the permit sizes is show below. When we refer to sack sizes we consider a sack to be a 30 litre hessian sack, or waste of an equivalent volume. An image of such a sack is shown at the end of this section. Our site attendants will use their judgement to determine load size.
1. Small – Equivalent of 1-4 sacks – Small Car Load
2. Medium – Equivalent of 5-9 sacks – Estate Car, Car derived Van and 4 x 4
3. Large – Equivalent of 10-15 sacks – Large and small panel vans, Microvans and Mini Vans & Transit vans not exceeding 3.5 tons GVW. Sack Size
Size is based on our hessian sack designed to hold 30 litres.
What happens if I have more waste than my permit allows?
We have a maximum limit of one large load per customer per day. If you have a small or medium permit and have a larger load than you anticipated you can use multiple tickets as follows:
- 2 x small tickets can be used to cover a medium load.
- 3 x small tickets can be used to cover a large load.
- 2 x medium tickets can be used to cover a large load.
You are not permitted to use two large tickets to cover a full van and also a trailer.
Any additional waste will be turned away at the CRC. Abuse of the permit load sizes may result in Permits being revoked.
How much are the permits for 2025/26?
Recycling Permit
Small load - £8.40 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £42.00
Medium load - £12.60 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £63.00
Large load - £15.80 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £79.00)
Recycling and General waste permit.
Small load – £15.60 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £78.00)
Medium load - £27.40 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £137.00)
Large load - £37.80 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £189.00)
Charity disposing of donated Household Goods permit
Small load - £2.80 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £14.00)
Medium load - £5.20 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £26.00)
Large load - £8.00 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £40.00)
Electrical Household Clearance items permit.
Small load - £2.80 per ticket (minimum purchase 5 tickets - £14.00)
How do I apply?
You can apply for a trade permit online, by visiting one of our Contact Centres to use their computer or by telephoning Customer Advice and Support on 0300 100 1800.
View the full list of Contact centre opening times.
When applying for a permit, you will need:
- Your Waste Carriers Licence or Professional Transporter and Carrier of Waste registration number
- Your business’s relevant Standard Industry Classification (SIC) codes
- A credit/debit card
Further details about SIC codes and Waste Carrier’s Licences/Professional Registration are below.
What is a Waste Carrier’s Licence or Professional Transporter and Carrier of Waste, and how do I register?
Businesses are required to register with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) either as a Waste Carrier or a Professional Transporter and Carrier of Waste to enable them to transport waste.
Registration as a Professional Transporter and Carrier of Waste is free, and a Waste Carriers Licence costs (at the time of print) £261 for a period of 3 years.
Many of the businesses using the Community Recycling Centre Trade Access Scheme will be eligible to register under the free category of a Professional Transporter and Carrier of Waste.
View further information on registering.
Or contact SEPA direct on:
- Contact telephone number: 0300 099 6699
- Address in the Scottish Borders: Burnbrae, Mossilee Road, Galashiels, TD1 1NF. T: 01896 754797
Once registered you will receive a registration number which you can use in your application for the Community Recycling Centre Trade Access Permit.
What is a Standard Industry Classification (SIC) code and where do I find it?
The Standard Industry Classification (SIC) is a list of codes that describes the nature of your company’s business.
A list of these can be found here. If you are registered with Companies House you will have allocated a SIC code to your business through this process.
he hazardous waste items which are accepted at our Community Recycling Centres under the Electrical Household Clearance Permit are as follows (no other hazardous wastes are accepted):
- Fluorescent Tubes and low energy- excluding LED
- Cathode ray tube (CRT), flatscreen (plasma or LCD) TVs
- Laptop computers, tablets, and mobile phones with screens
- Fridges & freezers
- White goods (eg washing machines, dishwashers and tumble driers) with hazardous components
- Mixed batteries – Unsorted (excludes vehicle batteries)
SWCNs are priced at £ each and can be purchased from any the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) offices or via SEPA’s website.
Address in the Scottish Borders: Burnbrae, Mossilee Road, Galashiels, TD1 1NF. T: 01896 754797
How long are the permits awarded for?
One year from date of issue.
How long does it take to receive my permit?
On receipt of payment your permit will be posted out to you within 5 working days.
Can I cancel my permit?
No, permits are non refundable
What size is the permit?
The permit booklet is A5 sized and will be produced in ticket form (in books of 5 or 10); they are printed with a hologram for security.
Where is my nearest Community recycling Centre?
Currently we have 7 Recycling centres accepting trade waste permits, these are: Duns, Eyemouth, Galashiels, Hawick, Kelso, Eshiels (Peebles) and Selkirk.
Selkirk CRC will accept a ‘Small’ load size only.
View exact CRC locations in the Scottish Borders.
When can I visit the CRC/when can I use my permit?
When sites are open, trade access hours are:
Summer opening hours
Monday – Friday
Access times: 10.00am – 1.15pm and 2pm – 4.45pm.
Saturdays
Access times: 9.00am – 1.15pm
Trade access will not be permitted on Sundays and Saturday afternoons.
During the summer, all sites will operate with one late night opening.
Access times: 10.00am – 1.15pm and 2pm – 6.45pm
- Duns – Tuesday
- Eshiels – Monday
- Eyemouth – Monday
- Galashiels – Monday
- Hawick – Monday
- Kelso – Wednesday
- Selkirk – Tuesday
Winter opening hours
Monday – Friday
Access times: 9.00am – 1.15pm and 2pm – 4.45pm
Saturday
Access times: 9am – 1.15pm
Trade access will not be permitted on Sundays and Saturday afternoons.
Sites will be closed from 1.15pm to 2pm for a lunch break.
Trade vehicles will not be allowed access to CRCs out with these times.
- Site Closure Days
- Duns – Thursday
- Eshiels – Wednesday
- Eyemouth – Tuesday and Friday
- Galashiels – Tuesday
- Hawick – Wednesday
- Kelso – Monday
- Selkirk – Monday and Friday
Note: If you are accessing the site using a trailer or large van, you must make a booking using our online booking form or by called 0300 100 1800.
How many vehicles can I purchase a permit for
Up to 4 vehicles can be registered per permit.
What vehicles will be permitted/not permitted?
The permits are only available for vehicles up to and including a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 3.5 tonnes.
Acceptable vehicles: Car, estate Car , car based van, micro/minivan, pick up/flatbed small panel van, transit van, 4x4
Not permitted: Horseboxes, vehicles over 3.5 tonnes (gross vehicle weight), agricultural vehicles (tractors), motorhomes, tippers or tail-lifts, caravans or horse trailers.
Can I change my vehicle/what if I’m temporarily using a hired vehicle when my vehicle is off the road
Permits are only valid for the vehicles registered against them at point of sale. If you temporarily have a hired vehicle you can use your existing permit as long you bring along your hire vehicle documentation and show this to the CRC operator when you come to site.
What items will not be accepted under the Trade Access Permit?
Only the wastes specified for each permit will be accepted.
With the exception of the Electrical Household Clearance Permit where some of the accepted electrical items are hazardous, no hazardous waste is accepted under these permits. Examples of hazardous waste include asbestos, clinical waste and chemicals.
If you are bringing in general waste you must always comply with the provisions of the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003 when disposing of waste under this permit. Therefore you must comply fully with the schedule “Meeting the Landfill (Scotland) Regulations 2003”.
We do not accept any liquid waste under the permit.
Waste upholstered domestic seating
From the 15th July 2024 traders/businesses will be required to transport WUDS to Easter Langlee Waste Transfer Station.
WUDS will not be accepted at any other Council waste facility.
On arrival at Easter Langlee Waste Transfer Station, you will be required to report to the weighbridge, following which you will be directed to tip at the WUDS bay.
WUDS must be transported separately to the Waste Transfer Station in line with SEPA guidance and must not be mixed with other waste. Waste that is mixed will be charged at the WUDS rate, so it is in the interest of customers to separate the WUDS.
Can the accepted items under the permit(s) change?
We reserve the right to amend the list of materials that the permit allows you to recycle, upon giving not less than 14 days notice. Businesses will be emailed with any changes.
Where do I dispose of large quantities of waste?
If your business has a large quantity of waste that is over the daily limit of a CRC then you should either arrange for a kerbside collection or dispose of your waste at the weighbridge facility, they will be charged separately each time that they use these services.
See further information on the services we offer.
What are the Terms and Conditions of the Permit?
Find the Terms and Conditions of the Permit.
What happens if my Permit is Lost/Damaged/Stolen?
Unfortunately permits are non refundable.
Who do I contact if I have been turned away at my local Community Recycling Centre?
If you have been turned away from a site please contact the Trade Waste team on the details provided below.
My business is based outwith the Scottish Borders, can I apply for a permit?
Permits are intended for businesses registered in the Scottish Borders area, however companies carrying out work in our area can purchase a permit by contacting us to discuss.
What is a Duty of Care – Waste Transfer Note?
As a business, you have a legal responsibility and duty of care to ensure that you produce, store, transport and dispose of your business waste without harming the environment. You are responsible for your waste until you have transferred it to an authorised person. You must segregate, store and transport your waste appropriately and securely, making sure that you do not cause any pollution or harm to human health and check that your waste is transported and handled by people or businesses that are authorised to do so.
The Duty of Care legislation requires that all transfers of waste are appropriately recorded – in the form of a Waste Transfer Note - in order to assist in tracking movements of waste. The permit and attached tickets constitute a Waste Transfer Note for Duty of Care purposes.
Can someone borrow my permit if they are another business and/or a friend of mine?
No - The permit acts as a duty of care and permission to access the CRC only for the business that has purchased it.
I have not received my permit, what’s happened?
If you contact Trade Waste on 0300 100 1800 we will look into this for you.
I want to contact the Trade Waste Team direct?
Trade Waste, Neighbourhood Services, Council Headquarters, Newtown St Boswells TS6 0SA
Tel: 01835 825 111
Email: tradewaste@scotborders.gov.uk
www.scotborders.gov.uk/tradepermits