Chargeable waste Devon

Sep 23, 2023

The following materials brought to any recycling centre in Devon are chargeable.

Please note that non-chargeable DIY waste includes wooden doors and window frames, kitchen units, construction timber and radiators etc. The deposit of these materials is restricted to 0.5 tonnes in a six month period.

Plastic window: With or without glass. Single pane window only (double charge for multiple pane plastic windows).

Plastic door or door frame: With or without glass. Single door or door frame only (double charge for double door or door + frame combined).

UPVC Window/Door Frames/Framing (with all glass, glazing, infill panels and insulation/foam removed prior to visiting site) – No charge at the following sites:

Exton Road, Pinbrook Road, Seven Brethren and Punchbowl

£5.10 each

Asbestos: bonded asbestos only (**facility not available at all sites – please see below).

Please note that asbestos must be double wrapped in tough plastic and completely sealed. Site staff will not be able to assist with loading asbestos into the skip. There is a maximum sheet size of 10ft (3m) x 4.5ft (1.5m). We will accept a maximum of 10 sheets/bags. If you have a greater quantity, other options include contacting a commercial waste company who deal with asbestos disposal.

*Plasterboard is accepted at: Exmouth, Honiton, Sidmouth, Exeter, Tiverton, Crediton, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, Ivybridge, Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot, Great Torrington, Holsworthy, Bideford, Okehampton and Tavistock. No facilities at Totnes or South Molton.

** Asbestos is accepted at: Honiton, Exeter, Tiverton, Kingsbridge, Newton Abbot, Great Torrington, Bideford, Okehampton and Tavistock. No facilities at: Exmouth, Sidmouth, Crediton, Ilfracombe, Barnstaple, South Molton, Totnes, Ivybridge or Holsworthy. Please see Asbestos disposal for more information.

Devon County Council only has a legal obligation to provide recycling centre facilities for household waste – waste arising from the day to day running of a household. Items resulting from the repair or improvement of houses, for example, DIY type waste, is classified as construction waste and there is no requirement for us to provide any service for the disposal of this material or accept it free of charge.

To avoid confusion, household waste comprises of the unwanted contents of the house and not part of the house itself.

Construction waste also includes waste created from landscaping or garden alterations such as dismantling a rockery or digging up a patio/concrete hardstanding.

In addition, vehicle tyres are not classed as household waste and therefore there is no requirement for us to accept them or accept them on a free of charge basis.

However, it is recognised that facilities are still needed for local residents to dispose of small amounts of DIY type waste and tyres, and so rather than withdrawing this service completely, we have made arrangements with site operators for this waste to be accepted for a charge.

If you are undertaking a large-scale DIY project that will generate significant volumes of waste, you should hire a skip or arrange for alternative private disposal using a suitable licensed company.

The charges payable will be based upon the quantity of material to be deposited using the rates given as an indicative guide.

Payment for bags/sheets will be whole multiples of ‘bags’ e.g. 3 x £4.00 not 2.75 x £4.00.

A "bag" is defined as "a small, plastic sand/aggregate bag from standard DIY stores that can be safely lifted by one person". A propriety rubble bag is not classed as a small bag and may incur an additional charge.

A ‘sheet of asbestos’ is a ‘small domestic roofing sheet or similar’. For the avoidance of doubt; any item which the site staff deem to contain asbestos will be treated as asbestos (regardless of any analysis or certificates that may have been obtained to state the material is asbestos free) and restrictions/charges will apply. Please note that all asbestos must be double wrapped/bagged in strong plastic. See Asbestos for further information.

Items such as a toilet pan, toilet cistern; sink, sink pedestal, concrete block etc will be charged as single items and the relevant ‘per bag’ rate will apply.

Loose waste/waste in trailers etc will be assessed by the site manager.

The site manager's decision on the actual charge to be made is final.

The charge payable will be based upon the quantity of the material to be deposited using the stated rates as an indicative guide.

Charges, inclusive of VAT, are payable directly to the site contractor. Credit/debit card payments only. Receipts will be offered.

This is a service for which payment must be made. Legal proceedings will be taken against anyone using the service or attempting to use the service without payment in full.

Your Council Tax covers the cost of collecting, recycling and disposing household waste. As DIY type waste and tyres are not classified as household waste, Devon County Council has no requirement to provide any service and if a service is provided, it should not be at cost to the general taxpayer. Overall, it is not up to Devon County Council or the general taxpayer to pay for the disposal of waste generated from home improvement or vehicle maintenance projects.

Should you not wish to use the service, other options are available: