Powys residents will be required to pay for DIY waste disposal at recycling centres from April 1

From April 1, Powys residents will need to pay to dispose of DIY waste at any of the council’s five Household Recycling Centres.

Details of the charges are available on the council’s website. Charges vary depending on the material, and payments will need to be made by card at the recycling centre.

Brecon and Radnor Senedd Member James Evans, said it was “yet another charge” coming from the Liberal Democrat/Labour run council.

“To charge householders to dispose of DIY waste is an insult,” he said.

“Residents are paying more and more in council tax payments and getting less and less in return. This is not trade waste or builders’ waste.”

Mr Evans warned the charges could increase fly-tipping and discourage use of recycling centres.

He also criticised the charging structure and rules, labelling them “over-complicated”.

Some materials, such as rubble and soil, and wood and timber, allow one free bag per visit, before incurring a charge of £2.20 per bag and £4.40 per bag respectively. Whereas disposing of materials like insulation will incur a £3 charge from the first bag. Each bag can hold up to 25 litres.

The council says the charges are not intended to make a profit and have been kept as low as possible

They said the charges ensure they can keep accepting this type of waste and continue operating all five centres five days a week.

Powys County Council said booking can be done quickly and easily online or over the phone by calling: 01597 827465

Residents will be able to book their first time slot, for visits after April 1, from March 25 2025.

Mr Evans said many residents have questioned the council's ability to manage its phone line, citing difficulty contacting the local authority on various matters.

Mr Evans also argued that Powys’ rural nature and vast size are reasons not to impose the booking system.

“For some residents, the journey to the recycling centre is a 40-mile round trip,” he said.

“They could easily miss their appointment slot, due to unforeseen delays like an accident or roadworks.”

Powys County Council says the booking system will reduce congestion and queuing times, make visits easier and less time consuming, and allow staff more time to help visitors who may need advice and/or assistance on site.

 “Despite some negative publicity in other local authority areas where booking systems have recently been introduced, feedback gathered in resident’s surveys confirm residents are very happy with the system once it has settled down,” said Councillor Jackie Charlton, Cabinet Member for a Greener Powys. 

“In fact, in a recent survey by a council in North Wales, 81% of residents ranked the new booking system as excellent, and 83% are in favour of keeping it in place. 

“Change is always a challenge to begin with.  It will soon become second nature and remembering to pre-book a time slot will make your visit to the household recycling centre more efficient knowing that you have your own slot to recycle your waste with the help of the staff, if needed.”

More information and a full set of frequently asked questions can be found online: https://en.powys.gov.uk/HRC 

Of the charges for DIY waste, Councillor Charlton said; “We appreciate that charges are never welcome, but they will ensure we can continue to accept small quantities of DIY waste from our home improvements projects and continue to afford to keep all five Household Recycling Centres open five-days a week.

“The charges have not been introduced to make a profit and have been kept as low as possible.”

Together with local community groups and charities, the council is looking to introduce reuse shops at Household Recycling Centres, where space allows, in the future. You will soon be able to donate and/or buy items during your visit. All donated items will be sold to help raise money for local causes.

The introduction of a booking system and charges for DIY waste was agreed back in February 2024 as part of the council’s medium-term financial strategy 2024-2029.

In Shropshire, the Conservative-led council recently scrapped the booking requirement for cars at recycling centres, just months after it was introduced last November.

The U-turn followed feedback from residents who found the system inconvenient.

The booking system had also been opposed by Shropshire’s Liberal Democrat councillors, who launched a petition against the change.