Bracknell Council is standing firm on charges and limits for recycling DIY waste at tips, saying they do not have a detrimental impact on fly‑tipping.
Last month residents challenged the cost of recycling DIY waste in Reading and Bracknell by signing a petition, but the council is unmoved.
Householders can dispose of up to 100 litres of rubble, soil, plasterboard or asbestos, or one large item (for example a bath) up to 2m x 75cm x 70cm, at household waste recycling points in Reading and Bracknell. Anything more than a bathtub‑full brought in during a single visit incurs charges.
Visitors can bring rubble on up to three occasions in four weeks; on the fourth occasion there is a charge.
Bracknell resident Dan Carter organised a petition in December, saying council tax should fund waste and recycling services. The council says charges were introduced to cover the cost of bulky recycling and to shift disposal costs away from council tax payers.
Conservative leader Cllr Gareth Barnard backed Mr Carter. Cllr Barnard said: “Introducing the charges is potentially a false economy: we know we’ve got a problem with fly tipping problem in Bracknell Forest.
“The most important thing is to remind everyone that if you get someone to taking your rubble and rubbish away – make sure they have a licence to do it.
“If someone you’ve hired dumps your rubbish, and they’re not licenced, then you’re responsible for it.”
Acting council leader Cllr Helen Purnell replied: “Without charges, the additional cost of disposing of this heavier material would fall on all council taxpayers, rather than only those generating the waste.
“We experienced a reduction in certain waste tonnages when charges were first introduced in 2016, followed by a slight increase when the free allowance was later brought in.
“The Recycling Centre service is intended for small amounts of DIY waste, and for larger quantities we advise residents to consider using a commercial waste removal service or hiring a skip.”
A report by the Waste and Resources Action Programme, which included analysis of Re3’s experience after charges began in 2016, found it is “unlikely that there is an association” between charging at recycling centres and fly‑tipping, Cllr Purnell said. “It is also important to note that most fly‑tipping is carried out by criminal groups rather than by Borough residents.”
Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter
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