Changes to DIY Waste Disposal

A message from the County Council about Household DIY Changes 

In response to new Government legislation, from 1st February Northumberland households can now dispose of limited DIY waste for free at our Northumberland Household Waste Recovery Centres (HWRC).

From this date site users will need a pre-booked permit to dispose of their DIY waste at our HWRCs, to help us manage DIY waste disposal smoothly.

Households that are taking in other non-DIY waste such as general household waste, garden waste, old furniture etc to the HWRCs are not affected by the new permit arrangements.

The booking system is being introduced to manage these new DIY waste limits which are in line with the requirements of the new Controlled Waste Regulations 2023.

A permit can be requested via www.northumberland.gov.uk/waste or through the contact centre on 0345 600 6400.

The pre-booked permit allows free disposal of DIY waste up to 100 litres – that’s about two typical 50 litre builders’ rubble sacks, or one item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm (ie the size of a shower screen). If the site user needs to dispose of more DIY waste than the allocated free allowance, then they can simply ‘Pay as You Throw’ for any additional DIY waste above the free amount using the existing tariff.

Each household can have four visits with a permit to dispose of their DIY waste in any four-week period.

Prominent site signage is in place at each HWRC informing site users of the new DIY permit requirements from 1st February 2024.

Information has also been issued to the local media and a comprehensive social media campaign will include a DIY waste explainer video and an update in the News Section of the Council website.

Useful links:

Information leaflet (please scroll to DIY Waste Section): https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Waste/Tip.aspx#householdwastepermits

Permit booking system: https://wastepermitss.northumberland.gov.uk/selfservice/Permit.aspx