Household waste and recycling centres

On Wednesday 1 May we will go live with a new booking system for recycling centres in the Stirling area. You will be able to book online on this page from then. Below are a list of questions and answers regarding the system. 

What are the main benefits of a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) booking system? 

Stirling Council provides household recycling facilities for its residents at three locations and the introduction of an online booking system for Lower Polmaise and Callander brings those sites into line with the recycling centre at Balfron, where a booking system has been in operation since June 2020. 

The booking system is being introduced to ensure that only waste from Stirling Council households enters our HWRCs. A booking system allows us to eliminate commercial use of HWRCs as businesses depositing commercial waste are not permitted to use these facilities. The booking system will control use, resulting in reduced costs of the service overall and improve capacity and access for residents.  

The booking system will also allow the Council to limit traffic volume at our HWRC sites at any one time. This will ensure we do not build up long queues of traffic at peak times, which can cause frustration, and will also help reduce carbon emissions from vehicles idling whilst waiting. Our site operatives will also be able to provide clearer guidance to users of the facilities, as demand is better managed during peak times.   

When does the booking system go live? 

The booking system will go live from Wednesday 1 May 2024 and it will allow residents to book their slots at their chosen HWRC from 15 May. For visits to Lower Polmaise and Callander from 1 to 14 May inclusive, bookings are not required. Entry will not be allowed without booking on or after 15 May.

However, we understand that there will be a period required to allow residents to get used to the new system and staff will discuss requirements with anyone who visits but hasn’t booked during this period. 

How do I make a booking when the system goes live? 

The primary method of booking will be via the Council’s website on this page. Where there is no ability to access the booking system online, it will be possible to make a booking by telephone to the Council’s Contact Centre.  

Telephone: 01786404040 

Residents will be required asked to provide their name, address and vehicle registration number. You will be required to show your booking reference number and provide proof of address when visiting the HWRC site. 

Will the booking system increase fly tipping?  

A recent report from Defra (Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) concluded there was no evidence to suggest a link between implementing a booking system for HWRCs and fly tipping.  

Do I need to bring ID with me? 

Yes. When visiting our sites you will need your booking reference number and some form of identification to confirm proof of address. 

How long in advance can I book? 

Subject to availability, bookings can be made up to 14 days in advance. However, you can also book on the same day you wish to visit the site – again, subject to availability. 

What if I need to cancel or reschedule? 

Cancellations or rescheduled bookings (subject to availability) can be made online or via telephone (details above). 

Are there restrictions on the number of times I can visit in a day or even a year? 

There is no limit to the number of visits for cars. Vans and trailers will be limited to 12 bookings per year.

Will I be charged to use the site? 

Use of our HWRCs is free of charge for residents. A commercial weighbridge account can be set up at Lower Polmaise if you have business waste to dispose of.  

A list of household waste and recycling centres (HWRC) is available below. Alternatively, you can search for your nearest HWRC using our find services tool.

Balfron recycling centre

Dunkeld Court
Balfron
G63 0TE

How to get there:

Enter off the A875, Buchanan Street and Dunkeld Court junction.
You need to book a timeslot before you can visit the Balfron centre. 

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: Open 5pm, last entry 7:40pm
Saturday: Open 10am, last entry 1:30pm
Sunday: Closed

Polmaise recycling centre

Lower Polmaise Waste Management Centre
Fallin
FK7 7FG

Opening hours

Open 7 days a week.
Summer hours from 1 April to 30 September 2024: Open 8:30am, last entry 6pm.
Winter hours from 1 October 2024 to 31 March 2025: Open 8:30am, last entry 5pm

Callander recycling centre

Geisher Road
Callander
FK17 8LX

How to get there:

Enter off the A84 Stirling Road and Geisher Road junction.

Opening hours

Monday to Friday: Open 5pm, last entry 7:40pm
Saturday: Open 10am, last entry 1:30pm
Sunday: Closed

Traffic management

For safety, traffic control measures are in place at our centres. Please comply with any signage. Site attendants can guide you to the appropriate area of the centre.

Household waste only

We are unable to accept commercial waste. Drivers of commercial vehicles can bring household waste from their own homes. Verification checks are in place.

ID checks

We might ask you for proof of address on entry. Acceptable forms include a driver's licence or other photographic ID, plus a recent document that shows your address.

Children and pets

Make sure children under age 12 and pets remain in your vehicle when you visit a centre.

Permitted vehicles

Access to the following types of vehicles will be prohibited:

• any vehicle over 3.5 tonnes
• large vans, luton box vans not over 3.5tonnes but including double wheel base or raised roof
• any flatbed trailers or vehicles
• trailers with more than one axle
• any trailer towed by a vehicle other than a car, pickup or car derived van
• motorhomes
• horse boxes
• minibuses
• agricultural vehicles
• motorbikes, quadbikes, mobility scooters, bicycles or mopeds (due to health and safety on site)

For a complete list of what waste we can and cannot accept across all our sites you can use our Waste and Recycling directory.

There are skips for specific types of waste. If you’re not sure which skip to use, ask our staff for help. There may also be restrictions at some sites.

Waste we cannot accept

• any material that could contain asbestos including corrugated roofing and concrete based panels
• liquids (except engine oil and hardened household pain)
• chemicals
• fuels
• solvents
• vehicle tyres
• insulation/fibreglass

You can visit Zero Waste Scotland's website and search for items you require disposal of. 

Stirling Reuse Hub, is a project run by Transition Stirling, a Stirling-based environmental charity that finds a new home for quality items that can be re-used. They have two containers at Lower Polmaise household waste recycling centre, which take donations of good quality furniture only. Furniture must be clean and in good working order.

Unfortunately, they can not accept:

• broken or very thin glass
• upholstery that doesn’t have a permanent fire safety label
• upholstery that is ripped, torn or stained
• furniture with broken electrical components
• flat pack furniture
• MDF or chipboard furniture
• items in black bags
• any other non-furniture items

The following items can be accepted for reuse:

• book shelves, drawers, cabinets and wardrobes
• tables and chairs
• bed frames and bunk beds
• sofas, sofa beds and armchairs

For more information on the Reuse Hub, and how to donate non-furniture items, please visit Stirling Reuse Hub's website.

If you need to dispose of bulky items, we recommend you bring another person with you. Our site assistants are unable to help you carry items from your vehicle. If you’re bringing items in a container, make sure you can handle it on your own, or with help from a passenger. To help us manage visitor numbers we ask that no more than two people are outside of your vehicle at any time.

Our Household Waste and Recycling Centres are licensed for household waste only. We do not accept commercial waste.

We do accept commercial waste customers at our Polmaise Depot weighbridge. This is a chargeable service for registered account holders.

More about commercial waste services.