Gloucestershire County Council is considering introducing new charges for household DIY waste at its recycling centres, sparking a potential shift in how residents dispose of construction and renovation debris.
Currently, residents can bring DIY and construction waste from their own homes free of charge to one of the county’s five Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). These centres accept materials such as rubble, soil, wood, and plasterboard, provided the waste originates from the resident’s primary property within Gloucestershire. Waste from secondary properties like holiday homes or rental units is not eligible.
Under newly proposed plans, the council aims to cap the amount of DIY waste accepted for free. Residents could dispose of up to two 50-litre bags of rubble-type waste or one item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 750mm without charge, with a maximum of four visits permitted within a four-week period. Any excess waste beyond these limits or additional visits would incur a fee. It’s important to note that commercial waste from contractors is not accepted at these centres and would remain excluded under the proposed rules.
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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 council stresses that no final decisions have been made yet. The proposal will undergo a full review before being presented to the council’s Cabinet. If approved, revenues generated from the charges would be reinvested into improving local services and enhancing facilities at the recycling centres. Planned upgrades include a user-friendly booking and payment system, which has already reduced queuing times considerably, offering mostly same-day or next-day bookings.
The council will continue to monitor the impact of any changes carefully, tracking customer feedback, waste volumes, recycling rates, and other factors to ensure the system operates effectively and benefits residents.
Residents will be provided detailed information ahead of any implementation to help them understand the new process.
Gloucestershire’s five Household Recycling Centres are located across the county to serve its communities efficiently.