Local authorities in England are no longer able to charge households to leave small-scale DIY waste at recycling centres in a move aimed at boosting recycling and tacking fly-tipping.
Around a third of councils charged for the disposal of waste, such as plasterboards, bricks, and bath units, at household waste recycling centres (HWRCs).
However, residents will now no longer be required to pay any fees for disposing of small-scale DIY waste – a move local authority leaders have cautioned against.
Recycling Minister Robbie Moore said: ‘Removing charges for DIY waste at council recycling centres will help New Year home improvement projects become a reality and ensure that those disposing of waste responsibly aren’t being penalised for doing so.’
Announced in April 2022, the charging restrictions have been criticised by local authority leaders who warn it will put extra pressure on already tight budgets. The Local Government Association (LGA) has calculated that it will end up costing some councils upwards of £1m.
Commenting last September, Cllr Darren Rodwell, environment spokesperson for the LGA, said: ‘For many councils, reducing their abilities to charge for the disposal of DIY waste will lead to funding reductions that will have to be passed on to reduced waste services popular with our residents.’
‘We are urging the Government to rethink this plan; it is not a good time to be reducing waste services popular with our residents,’ he added.
