New approach to excess DIY waste at recycling centres will protect services and support residents

No final decision has been made. The proposal will be subject to full scrutiny and will then go to Cabinet for a decision. 

Under the plans, small amounts of DIY waste – such as rubble, soil and fixtures from home projects – would still be accepted free of charge. Charges would only apply beyond these amounts when residents bring larger excess quantities, in line with government guidance. 

The free allowance is up to 2 x 50 litre rubble type bags per visit or a single article of waste no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 750mm, and a maximum of 4 visits within a 4-week period. Charges can be made if DIY waste exceeds the above during any one visit, or if a visit exceeds more than 4 times in a four-week period. This applies to homeowner waste only, not commercial waste which is not accepted at HRCs.    

The changes are designed to make the service more efficient and financially sustainable, while keeping it accessible for everyday use. 

Cllr Ashley Bowkett, Cabinet Member for Nature, Climate and Waste Reduction, said: “Most residents only produce small amounts of DIY waste, and under the proposals that will continue to be free to dispose of. This approach is about fairness – ensuring those using the service the most contribute to the cost, while protecting it for everyone. 

“We recognise this would be a significant change for some residents, but similar approaches are already in place across many other parts of the country.” 

The new system is expected to generate income that would be reinvested into local services, helping to meet the council’s budget commitments without reducing provision. It would also support improvements at recycling centres, including a new, easy-to-use booking and payment system. The booking system has almost completely removed the need to queue, and in most cases a same day or next day booking is available. The system has also improved the readiness of HRCs for managing waste from across the county. 

A simple and clear approach, informed by how similar schemes operate elsewhere and aligned with national guidance, has been central to the council’s planning. 

Importantly, there is no evidence that introducing charges for larger volumes of DIY waste leads to increased fly-tipping. Research supports this, showing that the vast majority of fly-tipping is linked to illegal waste operators rather than householders. 

If approved, the council would continue to monitor the impact of the changes closely, including customer feedback, waste levels, recycling performance, and any wider effects, to make sure the system works well for residents. 

Further information would be shared ahead of any implementation to help residents understand how the system would work.