Charges introduced for building type waste at council recycling sites

From the beginning of next month (Monday 5 February), people looking to dispose of certain types of household rubbish at their local waste sorting site in Leeds will need to pay a charge.

The charge will only be made for items not considered to be regular household waste, such as rubble, plasterboard, soil and also tyres. Other waste can still be disposed of in the same way, with the existing permit scheme remaining in place.

The introduction of these charges was agreed in February 2017 as part of the council’s budget proposals for 2017/18, and will contribute toward the high costs of waste disposal, helping other council services to be safeguarded.

Unusually for local authorities, Leeds has not previously charged for these types of waste. Many councils across the country already charge, including a number of Leeds’ neighbouring authorities.

Payments will be made at the sites by debit or credit card using a secure card payment machine. Examples of materials for which charges will apply are as follows:

• Ceramics (e.g. toilet, cistern, bidet, sink, shower tray), Belfast-style sink, ceramic wall/floor tiles, earthenware drains and sewer pipes)

• Rubble, hardcore and soil (e.g. slates and roof tiles, sand, gravel, pebbles and stones, soil and clay, cement, mortar and rendering, concrete, tarmac, breeze blocks and bricks, paving slabs)

• Plasterboard and gypsum-related products (e.g. plasterboard sheets, ceiling roses, bags of plaster, coving)

• Tyres

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council executive board member for sustainability and environment said:

“With further financial pressures on the council year on year, the decision to bring Leeds in line with other local authorities and start charging for non-standard household waste at our sorting sites means we will be able to continue to offer this service.

“The council will make no profit whatsoever from the new charges. This will instead provide a reduction in our high waste disposal costs, and will enable other essential services to be protected.”

A guide to the scheme, including the pricing structure and further information, will be available in the guide to waste disposal charges. This can be found on the council's website at www.leeds.gov.uk/recycling or at any of its household waste recycling sites.

Winter opening times are now in operation at sites, which are open 7 days a week, 8am-4pm.

For media enquiries please contact:

Catherine Lindley, Leeds City Council press office (0113)

email: catherine.lindley@leeds.gov.uk

ENDS