Medway Council runs its own three household waste and recycling centres, separate from Kent County Council’s sites. The rules are different too: you must live in Medway, you must book, and each site takes slightly different items.
Medway Council can change rules and slots, so check its website before you set off. Details below were checked in October 2026. If you’d rather skip the tip runs, see our house clearance in Medway page.
The three Medway tips
| Site | Address | Vans |
|---|---|---|
| Capstone | Shawstead Road, Capstone, ME7 3JL | Small vans Wednesdays and Saturdays, Medway residents only |
| Cuxton | Sundridge Hill, Cuxton, Rochester, ME2 1LF | Small vans Wednesdays and Saturdays, Medway residents only |
| Hoath Way | Ambley Road, Gillingham, ME8 0QH | No vans |
If you search “medway tip”, “cuxton tip” or “capstone tip”, these are the sites you’ll find. Hoath Way is the one for Gillingham and Rainham, Cuxton for Strood and Rochester, and Capstone for Chatham and Walderslade.
Who can use them
Only Medway residents who pay Council Tax to Medway Council can book a Medway tip. Kent residents can no longer use them. If you live in Kent, use a Kent County Council site such as the Maidstone tip or Sittingbourne tip.
Medway residents can use a Kent tip, but pay a £10 fee per visit to Kent County Council.
Opening times and slots
The three sites are open daily, with bookable one-hour arrival slots from 8am to 4pm. Capstone is trialling 30-minute slots. Staff ask you to stagger your visit rather than all arriving at the start of a slot.
How to book
- You need a booking for every visit. Each booking allows one trip within its time slot.
- Book online on the Medway Council website. Cars can be booked up to 7 days ahead and at least 4 hours in advance.
- You’ll need your name, address, email, vehicle details and proof of address.
- No internet or email? Call Medway Council on 01634 333 333, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Phone bookings allow a maximum of two visits.
- To cancel, use the online form by 3pm the day before.
Bring a driving licence with proof of address, a Council Tax bill, a gas or electricity bill or a TV licence letter. Staff check it on arrival.
What each tip takes
All three sites take household waste only. Business waste, including from landlords, is not accepted, and recycling must be separated by material because mixed bags are turned away. They take items such as appliances, fridges and freezers, televisions, batteries, garden waste, wood, hardcore, household furniture, scrap metal and textiles.
- Capstone: the widest range. It also takes mattresses, plasterboard and tyres.
- Cuxton: takes mattresses and household furniture, along with the standard recycling streams.
- Hoath Way: does not take mattresses, car tyres or plasterboard. Use Capstone for those.
Vans and vehicles
- Cars with nine seats or fewer are accepted at all three sites.
- Small, privately owned vans are accepted only at Capstone and Cuxton, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, for Medway residents. Book a van slot up to 9 days ahead and at least 4 days in advance.
- Hoath Way does not accept vans at all.
- If you arrive in a van on a car booking, you will be turned away.
Tips for a smoother visit
- Separate recycling before you go and don’t bring mixed bags.
- Put the heavy items in last so they come out first.
- Check the Medway site before you leave, as slot rules are being trialled at Capstone.
- Not sure whether to hire a skip or a clearance firm? Read skip hire vs house clearance in Kent.
Other tips near Medway
- Maidstone tip at Allington and Tovil, for Kent residents.
- Sittingbourne tip at Milton (ME10 2QD).
- Sheerness tip on the Isle of Sheppey.
For every Kent site, see our Kent tips and recycling centres guide. Dumping waste instead of booking is fly-tipping: read our fly-tipping guide for the fines.
When a house clearance makes more sense
The booking limits, one trip per slot and van restrictions make a full house clear-out slow at a Medway tip. A property’s worth of furniture can take many trips.
Clearing a home in Chatham, Rochester, Gillingham, Strood or Rainham? We’ll take everything in one visit. See our house clearance in Medway page, our probate house clearance in Medway service, or get a free quote below. Our cost guide shows typical prices.