By DIY waste recycling fees could be scrapped under new plans
Fees for disposing of DIY waste at council recycling centres in England could be banned in a bid to reduce fly-tipping.
Currently, a third of local authorities charge up to £10 an item for disposing of paving slabs, plasterboard, bricks, and other building materials.
In 2021 more than one million fly-tipping incidents were recorded, costing local authorities almost £400m.
Ministers say they want to make it easier for people to dispose of waste.
The proposed changes are contained in a technical consultation by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs that could lead to current legislation being amended.
Back in 2015 government banned charges on local residents disposing of household rubbish at household waste centres, with the guidance stating that this includes DIY household waste.
However, some local authorities still charge for certain types of DIY material, under rules designed for construction waste.
Environment minister Jo Churchill said: “I want to make sure that recycling and the correct disposal of rubbish is free, accessible, and easy for householders. No one should be tempted to fly tip or turn to waste criminals and rogue operators.”
The government has also announced it will give grants from a £450,000 fund to 10 councils to install CCTV at fly-tipping hot-spots, to make it easier to prosecute people dumping waste illegally.
