Temporary Closure of Aylesbury Household Recycling Centre
Information from Buckinghamshire Council – Temporary Closure of Aylesbury Household Recycling Centre
Temporary closure for up to 16 weeks from 2nd September 2026 to allow for essential maintenance
What is happening?
Aylesbury Household Recycling Centre (HRC) will be closing for up to 16 weeks from Wednesday 2nd September 2026. The site is due to reopen again before the end of December 2026. The closure is for essential drainage works to be carried out to ensure the site remains legally compliant.
The construction works include installing new pipes, tanks, manholes and other drainage equipment, including a new connection to the public foul sewer in Rabans Lane. Hardstanding will need to be repaired or replaced, allowing time for the new concrete and tarmac to harden, before returning the containers and preparing the site for reopening. Due to the size and layout of the Aylesbury site, and to accommodate space and access for works, it is not possible to keep the site partially open to do the works or to coordinate works outside of HRC opening hours.
When is it happening?
The site will close to the public from 2nd September until the end of December 2026 (exact date to be confirmed).
It is anticipated that the works will take up to 16 weeks to complete. The site is anticipated to reopen before the post-Christmas busy period and if works progress well with no unforeseen issues then it is possible that the site will open earlier. The reopening date will be communicated to residents as soon as it is confirmed.
Why is it needed?
Without these repairs the site would be in breach of its environmental permit and the Environment Agency could take enforcement action and close the site (there will be procedural process to go through). Clean and dirty waters the site generates must be separated and dirty waters must be managed in a specific way (trade effluent discharge consent issued by the water company).
Are there alternatives to closing the site completely?
Due to the size and layout of the Aylesbury site all containers and some infrastructure need to be removed from the site to allow space and access for the works. Large excavations on both levels are required. Therefore, it would not be possible to have a partial site open or works to be undertaken out of hours. Without a drainage system working (critical component of the site) the site cannot be used for waste use.
What can residents do with their waste while Aylesbury is closed?
Residents who currently use Aylesbury HRC will be advised to use Aston Clinton HRC which a much larger site and is open 7 days a week. Aston Clinton is only 6 miles from the Aylesbury HRC site. Aylesbury staff with be transferred to Aston Clinton to support additional site visits. Residents to the north of Aylesbury may find that the Buckingham HRC site is closer. Residents that do not wish to travel to another site will be advised to bring forward or delay work that will require use of HRCs until after the closure.
Due to the close proximity of alternative sites, it is not anticipated that any further mitigation will be required for the closure period.
What is being done to inform people?
We appreciate a temporary closure can be disruptive, especially if visitors are not aware beforehand. We have put in place several measures to try and communicate the changes in advance, such as:
• Meet and greet staff to advise all visitors and provide business cards with further information from July onwards
• Temporary signs and displays on site providing QR code for information
• Updated website including FAQ
• Updated Google listing
• Social media posts – targeted to local area
• Briefing note and drop in sessions for Town and Parish Councils & Buckinghamshire Council Councillors.
Once the site is closed signs will be displayed outside the gates to advise of the closure, the reopening date (once confirmed) and details of Aston Clinton recycling centres as the nearest alternatives.