Mendip residents will no longer have to pay to get rid of DIY waste as part of a Government scheme crack down on fly-tipping.

At the moment, in some areas – including Somerset – there is a charge for DIY waste for households at recycling sites. But under the new proposals, household DIYers would not be charged to get rid of waste including plasterboards, bricks and bath units. In Somerset, the recycling centres are run by Somerset Waste Partnership, on behalf of Somerset County Council.

The Government banned backdoor charges on local residents disposing of household rubbish at household waste centres in 2015 and since then guidance has made clear that this includes DIY household waste.

However, around a third of Local Authorities still charge for certain types of DIY waste, using rules designed for construction waste. The changes outlined in a technical consultation published today will change this rule. Currently, it costs £4.70 to dispose of a sheet of plasterboard at recycling centres in Somerset. Soil and hardcore – which includes stone, rubble, clay, bricks and concrete, as well as sinks, tiles and toilets made from ceramics or porcelain – is free for up to one carrier bag per week, but then it is £4.10 per bag (including part), £21 for a small van or small single-axle trailer of waste, and £42.10 for a medium van or medium single-axle trailer.

Fly-tipping is a crime which blights communities, poses a risk to public health and the environment, and costs up to £392 million a year. The problem has increased since the start of the pandemic. Local authorities dealt with 1.13 million fly-tipping incidents in 2020/21, up by 16% from 2019/20.

Alongside this, a call for evidence on the use of booking systems at recycling centres will be launched today – some of which were brought in when restrictions were imposed during the pandemic – amid concerns these could be making it harder for people to dispose of their waste and increasing the risk of fly-tipping.

Environment Minister Jo Churchill said: "When it comes to fly-tipping, enough is enough. These appalling incidents cost us £392 million a year and it is time to put a stop to them.

"I want to make sure that recycling and the correct disposal of rubbish is free, accessible and easy for householders. No one should be tempted to fly tip or turn to waste criminals and rogue operators.

There were more than 60,000 fly-tipping incidents with construction, demolition and excavation material in 2020/21, an increase of 18% from 2019/20.