MP hopes free disposal of DIY waste cuts fly-tipping
NORTH Devon’s MP is urging people to properly dispose of DIY waste, following a change in the law.
Households will no longer have to pay to get rid of DIY waste under plans set out by the Government to change the rules that currently allows local authorities to charge for DIY waste from households.
Under the proposals, householders would not be charged to get rid of waste, including plasterboard, bricks and bath units. It is part of a fresh move to crack down on fly-tipping, which has increased since the beginning of the pandemic.
The Government banned charges on local residents disposing of household rubbish at waste centres in 2015 and since then guidance has made clear that this includes DIY household waste. However, around a third of local authorities still charge for certain types of DIY waste, using rules designed for construction waste. The changes outlined in a technical consultation published will change this rule and could save households up to £10 for an individual item – for example, a sheet of plasterboard.
Fly-tipping is a crime which blights communities, poses a risk to public health and the environment, and costs up to £392 million a year.
Local authorities dealt with 1.13 million fly-tipping incidents in 2020/21, up by 16% from 2019/20. Alongside this, a call for evidence on the use of booking systems at recycling centres will be launched – some of which were brought in when restrictions were imposed during the pandemic – amid concerns these could be making it harder for people to dispose of their waste and increasing the risk of fly-tipping.
Environment Minister Jo Churchill said: “When it comes to fly-tipping, enough is enough. These appalling incidents cost us £392 million a year and it is time to put a stop to them. We 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. Furthermore, the funding that we have announced for local authorities will help them trial innovative new projects to put a stop to fly tipping. We will learn from the successes – and replicate them.”
Selaine Saxby, Conservative MP for North Devon, said: “We need to encourage people to properly dispose of household DIY waste. There are too many incidences of fly-tipping, and it is right we remove as many financial barriers as possible to make it easy to do the right thing. By helping residents do what I am sure they want to do, it should free up council resources to enforce and punish the worst offenders.”
The day before the announcement, Ms Saxby was contacted by local constituent Lisa Mackenzie about a fly-tipping incident at Westacott, in Barnstaple.
Ms Mackenzie said: “Like many people locally, I join in on beach and town litter picks so when we see vast amounts of waste dumped by the side of roads it is depressing.
“We report it to the council who do of course get it sorted but at great cost. I do hope that people will be encouraged that more DIY waste will be allowed at the recycling centre free of charge. We all want to do our bit for the environment and our community.”