DIY Reuse

Residents can now donate bricks, slabs, tiles and other DIY materials for reuse at their local Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC)

Residents across the South London Waste Partnership (SLWP) region can now donate leftover or spare DIY materials such as bricks, slabs and tiles for reuse at their local Household Reuse and Recycling Centre (HRRC).

Each year, around 7,000 tonnes of DIY material waste is brought to the six HRRC sites managed by the SLWP, in partnership with Veolia. This includes bricks, cement, ceramic bathroom suites, concrete blocks, gravel, hardcore, paving slabs, slate, stone and bathroom or kitchen tiles. In the past, this material has been crushed and recycled into a range of construction materials such as concrete and base layers for new foundations, roads, driveways and car parks. 

But now there’s an even better option; reuse. Each of the six HRRC sites now has a dedicated area where residents can drop off small amounts of unwanted DIY materials that are in good condition. Instead of being recycled, these materials will be made available, free of charge, to fellow residents who can make good use of them. The circular economy in action!

So, whether you’re after a few tiles to put around a sink or some reclaimed bricks for a new garden feature, it’s worth taking a look next time you’re at the local HRRC. You never know what you might find!

Andrea Keys, SLWP Partnership Director, said: 

“This is a really great initiative; reuse is so important and I’m delighted that residents now have a dedicated space at their local HRRC where they can donate and pick up unwanted DIY materials. We are seeing residents bringing more rubble waste to the HRRC sites, with a 32% increase between April and October 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. It’s really important that we all work together to reduce waste and maximise reuse and recycling wherever possible. I hope this latest initiative will make a contribution to achieving that.”

Christine Stacey, Contract Manager, Veolia UK, added: 

“This project showcases the circular economy in action and benefits residents across the four South London boroughs. Residents can reduce their carbon impact by dropping off their DIY materials at the HRRC, benefiting others who can pick up their good quality materials for free. With this initiative, we’re helping to build on the current 69% recycling rate across the six HRRCs, developing our sites as hubs where the community can actively participate in reuse.”

There are six Household Reuse and Recycling Centres (HRRCs) across the SLWP region:

• Factory Lane, Fishers Farm and Purley Oaks – for residents of the London Borough of Croydon
• Kimpton Park Way – for residents of the London Borough of Sutton
• Garth Road – for residents of the London Borough of Merton
• Villiers Road – for residents of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames

This scheme is designed for residents donating small amounts of unwanted DIY materials. Larger volumes of DIY waste may be rejected. Donated DIY materials are subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.  

For more details of site locations and access arrangements (including a requirement to pre-book visits and restrictions on the volume of DIY and rubble waste that can be brought to the some of the sites) visit www.slwp.org.uk/hrrc 

Tiles at Factory Lane HRRC, Croydon, waiting for a new home.