Edinburgh tips: booking, rules and what they take
Here's how Edinburgh's three recycling centres work, checked against City of Edinburgh Council pages on 30 October 2026.
- Three tips: Seafield (EH6 7LW), Sighthill (EH11 4EA) and Craigmillar (EH16 4TB)
- Open seven days a week, by appointment only. Slots are 30 minutes
- Edinburgh residents only. Your vehicle registration is checked at the gate
- Vans and trailers get three slots a day: 11am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm. No vans at Craigmillar
- Closed on 25 and 26 December 2026 and 1 and 2 January 2027
Rubbish to shift in Edinburgh?
If the tip is a hassle, a licensed Edinburgh company can collect from your home.
Free, no obligation. We share your details only with waste companies that can help. See our privacy policy.
Edinburgh's tips
| Tip | Postcode | Vans and trailers? | On foot? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seafield | EH6 7LW | Yes, 3 van slots a day | Yes |
| Sighthill | EH11 4EA | Yes, 3 van slots a day | Yes |
| Craigmillar | EH16 4TB | No vans | Suspended |
The council page gives no opening hours for the three sites. It says they are normally open seven days a week for booked slots only, and that bad weather or an emergency can close a site at short notice. You see the available times when you book.
Booking
Only Edinburgh residents can book, and only booked vehicles are let in. Appointments last 30 minutes and you should arrive no later than 10 minutes before the end of your visit. Same-day appointments are often free because of cancellations. Without a booking you cannot get in. See the tip booking guide.
On foot or by bike
The council says you do not need to book if you come on foot or by pedal bike with small amounts of material. At Craigmillar pedestrian access is currently suspended for safety reasons.
Vehicles
Residents can use domestic vehicles and short-term hire vehicles. A van or trailer must book one of three half-hour slots a day, and vans are not allowed at Craigmillar. Liveried vans, Luton vans, horse boxes, flat-bed tipper style vehicles and anything over 3.5 tonnes are not allowed. See the van and trailer rules guide.
What they take
| Item | Rule on the council pages |
|---|---|
| Bricks, rubble and loose soil | Accepted. No weight limit is given on the page |
| Mattresses, carpet, wood, metal, textiles | Accepted |
| Large appliances, domestic fridges and freezers, TVs and small electricals | Accepted |
| Tyres | Accepted. No limit is given on the page |
| Garden waste | Accepted |
| Paint pots | Only if the paint is dried out with sand, sawdust or cat litter until solid |
| Gas bottles | Accepted if empty |
| Asbestos, fuels, fireworks, firearms, poisons, trade waste | Not accepted |
The council cannot take items for re-use at the sites. Charges are not mentioned on the pages we checked.
Trade waste
Commercial, trade or business waste is not allowed, and staff can refuse entry to anyone who cannot show the right documents or who they suspect of bringing business waste.
No tip trip? A licensed company can collect: rubbish removal, single items, builders' waste or house clearance.
Tip not an option?
A licensed Edinburgh company can collect from your home, with no appointment to book.
Get free quotes