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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.