Rubble and building waste in Bristol: tip charges and options
Doing building work in Bristol? Here's what the tips charge and your options for the rest, checked against Bristol City Council and Bristol Waste Company pages on 30 October 2026.
- About 100 litres of rubble or soil is free per visit, then £3 per bag or item
- Clean plasterboard is £5 a sheet or bag, and £9 with other materials attached
- Wood, metal, plastic windows, doors and guttering, insulation and most tyres are free
- The free allowance is one load a week, for up to four weeks
- Business and construction waste from a job is not allowed
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The free allowance
The Bristol Waste Company says each household can bring one load a week, for up to four weeks, of either up to 100 litres of loose waste such as rubble or soil (two 50-litre rubble bags), or one bulky or fitted item such as a sink or pedestal, no bigger than 2m by 0.75m by 0.7m. The council's page puts the same limit as a maximum of four visits in 28 days. You still need a tip booking slot, and a van needs a van permit.
Charges
| Waste | Charge |
|---|---|
| Rubble and soil, over the allowance | £3 per bag or item |
| Sanitary ware (sinks, toilets) | £2.50 per bag |
| Clean plasterboard | £5 per sheet or bag |
| Plasterboard with other materials attached | £9 per bag (the council page says per sheet or bag) |
| Bonded asbestos | £11 per bag or sheet |
You can pay for charged waste when you book your slot, and the Bristol Waste Company says you cannot pay for part of a bag. If you bring more than you booked, you can pay by card at the centre. Rubble and soil are refused if they are mixed with other materials. The council's own page also mentions a small free allowance per visit (one item of sanitary ware, and one sheet of plasterboard or asbestos), while the Bristol Waste Company page describes the allowance as loose waste or one bulky item. They are not worded the same, so check what you will be charged when you book.
What is free
The Bristol Waste Company lists wood, metal, plastic windows and doors, plastic pipes and guttering, insulation, roofing felt and sheets and most tyres as free. Commercial and agricultural tyres are not. The council limits tyres to a maximum of 4, and says more than that may be challenged.
Trade and builders
The council says it is illegal to bring business, trade or construction waste to the recycling centres, and only household waste is accepted. Waste a builder produces on your job is normally theirs to remove, so check their quote covers it. Business waste goes to a commercial transfer station.
Your options
| Option | Best for | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Builders' waste collection | Bags or piles of rubble, loaded for you | Often £150 to £250 for a medium load, £250 to £400 for a large one |
| Skip | Longer jobs you fill as you go | Depends on size; a permit is needed if it goes on the road |
| Grab lorry | Tonnes of soil or rubble | Around £150 for a small load up to £450 to £500 for 16 tonnes |
Asbestos
Bristol accepts cement-bonded asbestos in small amounts, double wrapped and sealed. Read asbestos disposal in Bristol before you touch any.
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