DIY Waste Limits
Limits on the amount of some types of DIY waste that can be
disposed of free of charge have been introduced. Please
read on for further details.
A permit is also be needed to bring any waste to a Recycling
Centre in a van or large trailer.
Find out more about the Van Permit system.
Why are there limits on some types of Construction &
Demolition waste being?
These limits are part of a package of changes which aim to
improve the sites for users and to increase the amount of waste
recovered for recycling. The reasons have introduced these limits
are:-
- To control costs to Council Tax payers –
Construction & Demolition waste tends to be particularly heavy
material. As waste disposal and processing are paid for by weight
there would be a significant burden passed on to all Council Tax
payers.
- To prevent illegal use of the sites by traders – waste
from works of construction and demolition is not household waste
and illegal use of sites is a significant problem which these
limits are designed to control.
- To reduce congestion – large volumes of DIY waste
delivered loose to site take much longer to unload than ordinary
household and recyclable wastes.
- To improve health & safety – by reducing the impacts
from the manoeuvring of large vehicles and handling of loose
waste.
What is Construction & Demolition Waste?
Waste that is generated through building or renovation work.
Most of this type of waste is hardcore or rubble - small pieces of
stone or rock used for building - or material left over after
demolition (of a driveway, wall, garage, roof repairs etc).
The Council’s Recycling Centres are provided for the residents
of Bath & North East Somerset to dispose of household waste
only, free of charge.
Under waste legislation, this type of waste is classed as
industrial waste even if it is generated at home, which means that
the Council does not have a duty to provide a free disposal point
for such waste.
Examples of such materials are:
- Fencing Panels
- Hardcore/rubble/bricks
- Concrete slabs
- Plasterboard
- Roofing materials
- Soil
How much can be brought in?
The Council is not imposing an outright ban on all Construction
& Demolition waste as we recognise that households do have a
legitimate need to dispose of some of these types of materials.
Areas are therefore provided at our Recycling Centres for the
disposal, free of charge, of reasonable quantities of this sort of
waste.
We will accept free of charge 1 cubic metre in volume which
equates approximately 10 black sacks, or an average sized family
car-boot or small trailer full. This will apply per project when
you are doing some small-scale DIY-type work on your own home.
A trailer less than 1.8m long x 1.2m wide x 0.5m
deep (approximately 6ft x 4ft) is classed as a “small trailer”
for the purposes of this scheme.
If you have more waste than this please read on for other ways
to recycle or dispose of it.
Please note that a permit is needed to bring any
household waste, including this limited quantity of Construction
& Demolition waste, in any sort of van or large trailer – for
further information, see the
Van Permit System.
What should you do?
When you arrive at the Recycling Centre, please ask a site
attendant to direct you to the correct area if you are unsure and
unfamiliar with the site layout. If you bag up your material in
small amounts before coming to the site, it will make the transfer
of your waste from your car quicker and easier.
If you require assistance please see a site attendant, or if you
can, give the site advance notice of your visit, by contacting the
Action Line.
What happens to the waste?
We recycle as much of the waste as possible including metal,
wood and rubble. Remaining waste is disposed of to landfill so
please help to recycle by separating your waste into appropriate
containers. Further information on what happens to
the recycling
and the remaining waste
is also available.
How do you dispose of more waste?
If you have more than the limit then you can:
- Bring it to the Council’s weighbridge sites at Bath and
Midsomer Norton. (Chargeable service adjacent to the Recycling
Centres, open weekdays, more information on the waste transfer
station charges is available here.)
- Hire a skip through a skip company.
- Look on the internet or in your local telephone directories
under ‘waste disposal’.
- Contact a private company that offers waste disposal
services.
- Ask at DIY stores, builders merchants, garden centres and hire
centres about buying a skip bag.
Hippobag
is one ‘skipbag’ style waste solution available in major
DIY outlets, and Hippo also recycle a large
proportion of the waste collected.
- Contact The Environment Agency on 08708 506 506 for advice and
information.
What if someone else is doing the work on your home?
We advise that before home improvements are carried out by a
contractor, you check what their plans are for the recycling or
disposal of waste and the cost included in their quote. It is their
legal responsibility to arrange for appropriate disposal of ALL
waste that is generated as a result of their business
activity.
How will these limits be monitored?
We give full authority and backing to our site attendants to
question and if necessary refuse to accept loads as follows:
- Where more than a reasonable amount is being brought in.
- Waste which they believe to be from commercial or industrial
origins.
There are further formal procedures which will be followed as
necessary, part of which may entail a visit by a Council Officer to
the home where the waste is generated.
If needs be, you may make a complaint through the Council’s
complaint process, via the website or Action Line.
Bath & North East Somerset is committed to providing
services to the public which are efficient, effective and
courteous. We will seek to ensure that our service provision
reflects this commitment consistently for everyone.
Violence, aggression, threatening behaviour or harassment
towards Council employees is unacceptable and will not be
tolerated. No employee should be required to accept it as a part of
their job. Incidents will be recorded and investigated.
