Disposing of plaster and plasterboard products at household waste recycling centres

Gypsum based products cannot be accepted through

  • general waste skips or rubble skips at Household Waste Recycling Centres 
  • bulk household waste collections (no building waste is accepted in bulk waste)

Gypsum based waste must be collected and disposed of separately.

What are gypsum based products?

  • Plaster – plaster generally comes in two main types: gypsum based and cement based. Gypsum based is used indoors and cement based is used outdoors. Only gypsum based plaster is included in this advice. 
  • Plasterboard – Plasterboard is a flat seam of gypsum, sandwiched between stiff lining paper, commonly grey or ivory in colour and is often found in timber-framed buildings, loft conversions, stud-partitions and ceilings.

How can I dispose of gypsum-based products?

You can dispose of gypsum-based products at the following household waste recycling centres.

  • Bowling Back Lane HWRC, Bowling Back Lane, Bradford, BD4 8SZ (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, Saturday, 9am to 3pm, Sunday, 10am to 3pm)
  • Keighley HWRC, Royd Ings Way, Keighley, BD21 4BZ (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, Saturday, 8am to 3pm, Sunday, 10am to 3pm)

For the household waste recycling centre to accept your plasterboard, it should be free from:

  • asbestos 
  • foam 
  • metal 
  • polystyrene 
  • rubble 
  • tiles 
  • wood

You may be refused disposal if a site operative deems your waste to be contaminated and unacceptable.

How much does it cost to dispose of gypsum-based products?

Plasterboard and gypsum related products may be charged at £152 per tonne, with a minimum charge of £15.