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Huge change to DIY waste rules as fees scrapped but millions STILL being turned away from local rubbish dumps
We've explained how to avoid being turned away
A MAJOR change to rubbish tip rules was introduced last year to help encourage responsible disposal and reduce fly-tipping.
But millions of people are still being turned away from local rubbish dumps, according to new research by an insurer.
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In January 2024, the previous Conservative Government abolished fees for disposing of small-scale DIY waste at council recycling centres.
Before this date, around a third of local authorities charged households to dispose of their waste at their local tip.
Since then, all councils in England must now treat DIY waste as the same as other household waste.
This is as long as it doesn't exceed two 50 litre rubble bags worth of rubbish.
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Over six million people were turned away from their local tip despite the rules changing last year, according to Churchill.
It found that some councils still refuse certain DIY materials like rubble, kitchen units, and plasterboard.
For example, Lewisham in London, won't accept what many householders would regard as DIY waste at all, including rubble, kitchen and bathroom units, soil, plasterboard or worktops.
Others councils have imposed strict limits and charge for excess.
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Government rules stipulate that councils must allow two 50 litre bags per visit.
However, individuals with excess DIY waste are subject to charges, as seen in Norfolk County Council, which charges £7 per 100 litres for DIY waste exceeding the limit.
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By contrast, Mid-Ulster council allows householders to dispose of up to 500kg of DIY waste.
Adding to the complexity, many councils now demand pre-booking (68%) and proof of address.
Some even charge those without valid ID, including the London Borough of Bromley which issues a £3 fine.
Sarah Khan, head of Churchill Home Insurance, said: "Local authority waste and recycling centres are a vital resource for households, particularly those doing DIY and home improvements.
"The government changed to rules in England to stop charging for DIY waste disposal, in an effort to reduce fly tipping.
"However, this research reveals that what many householders regard as DIY waste and are trying to dispose of at local recycling centres is not permitted or incurs significant additional charges."
AVOID BEING TURNED AWAY
Double check the rules for your local authority
Check your council's website, and if your nearest tip doesn't allow what you want to drop off check other sites in your borough as rules often vary site to site.
Take smaller loads
If you have a large amount of DIY waste to dispose of don't try to cram it all into your car in one trip. Take two 50 litre bags at a time and visit more often (but not more than once a week).
Book online and take ID (driving licence or council tax bill)
You may be refused entry or charged if you don’t prebook or have identification, and you may not be allowed into a tip outside the borough that you live in (even if it is the closest one to you).
Think twice before going in a van or with a trailer
You may be refused entry, or you may be treated as disposing of 'commercial waste' and charged.
When visiting a local recycling centre, you're most likely to be turned away with DIY waste (17%), followed closely by fridges and freezers (16%), rubble (14%), and soil or plasterboard (both 13%).
Other commonly refused items include mattresses, radiators, bathroom suites, and tyres, each ranging from 11% to 12%
Items such as kitchen units, window frames, paint, and fencing are also frequently rejected (10%).
Hazardous materials like asbestos (8%), petrol, gas, or other inflammables (8%), and chemicals or pesticides (6%) are less commonly accepted.
What can I do if I have a lot of waste to dispose of?
If you have larger items to dispose of that are not accepted by your council - which might include kitchen units, bathroom suits, window frames, carpet or plasterboard, you may need to hire a skip or pay for collection.
First, evaluate the amount of waste you have.
Donating, selling, or recycling items beforehand can significantly reduce the volume, allowing you to hire a smaller, less expensive skip.
Accurately estimating the skip size you need is crucial, as hiring one that's too small might necessitate a second skip, doubling the cost.
While, an excessively large skip means paying for unused space.
Some companies may offer discounts for booking in advance, so plan ahead.
If feasible, consider sharing a skip with neighbours to split the cost.
On average, skip hire in the UK cost around £125 – £320 per week, according to Checkatrade.
To find the best prices near you, visit checkatrade.com/blog/skip-hire-near-me.
Remember, if you're planning on putting your skip on the road, you'll also need to apply for a council permit – which costs around £15 to £60.
So, if you'd rather not have to pay the extra charge it may be worthwhile ordering a waste carrier collection instead.
Some councils may offer free bulky waste collections, but if yours doesn't you'll need to find a local firm.
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You can find local waste clearance companies in your area by visiting checkatrade.com/blog/waste-clearance-near-me.
Prices usually start from £50 per collection.
FLY-TIPPING WARNING
FLY-tipping is illegal and carries hefty penalties up to £5,000.
You are responsible for your waste's proper disposal.
If your waste is fly-tipped, even if someone else disposes of it for you, you could be fined.
You can verify that waste carriers are registered with the Environment Agency by visiting environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/index.
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