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Charges at HWRCs

We have charged for the disposal of the following items at our 18 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) since 3 June 2019:

  • breeze blocks, bricks, cement, concrete and drain pipes
  • ceramic bathroom and kitchen items (baths, bidets, cisterns, shower trays, sinks, toilet pans, wash basins)
  • flagstones, granite, marble, paving slabs
  • hardcore, rubble, gravel, rocks, stones
  • plasterboard
  • sand
  • soil
  • tiles (ceramic, clay, slate)
  • tyres (charged for since 2012).

We are required to provide a place for Kent residents to deposit household waste free of charge. However, the types of waste listed above are not classified as household waste and we can therefore choose not to accept this material, to put limits on the amount we accept and/or charge to accept it.

Due to an increased amount of waste from household alterations and building works being brought to our centres, we can no longer afford to accept this waste free of charge. Other local authorities have also introduced a charging policy, which impacts on our sites.

We’ve introduced these charges to recover the cost of dealing with these types of non-household waste while still offering a disposal service. The charges are intended to help us achieve critical savings while still maintaining a comprehensive service for residents.

Charges for non-Kent residents

From 1 April 2023, non-Kent residents who use any of our 19 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), will be required to pay £10 to visit. By non-Kent residents we mean any resident that does not pay Council Tax to a Kent council.

Find out more about charges for non-Kent residents.

Free disposal

The disposal of all other materials will remain free of charge, including general household waste or ‘green’ garden waste. Other categories of DIY waste such as kitchen units, non-ceramic sinks and baths and doors may still be brought to the HWRCs free of charge.

Charges

For all chargeable materials, there are no discounts and the decision of the site staff is final.

Soil, sand and rubble (including ceramic bathroom and kitchen items)

Includes: breeze blocks, bricks, cement, concrete, drain pipes, ceramic bathroom and kitchen items (baths, bidets, cisterns, shower trays, sinks, toilet pans, wash basins), flagstones, granite, gravel, hardcore, marble, paving slabs, rocks, rubble, sand, soil, stones and tiles (ceramic, clay, slate).

£5 per bag or item (bag up to the size of a standard black sack), limited to 5 bags (or equivalent) per day.

Ideally the waste should be brought in bags for ease of disposal, but loose material can be accepted.

These materials must be placed in the soil, rubble and hardcore recycling area.

Before disposing of tiles with plasterboard on, please separate them. If this is not possible, please talk to a member of staff.

Plasterboard

£7.50 per bag or sheet of plasterboard (bag up to the size of a standard black sack).

Plasterboard must be placed in the designated plasterboard recycling area.

Tyres

£3 per tyre (car and motorbike tyres), limited to 5 tyres per day. Commercial tyres will not be accepted.

Tyres must be placed in the designated recycling area.

We have charged for domestic tyres since 2012.

Payments

All payments must be made on site via debit or credit card. No cash or cheques will be accepted.

If you cannot pay, you will not be allowed to dispose of your materials.

Enforcement action may be taken against anyone disposing of chargeable waste without payment.

You can request a VAT receipt by asking a member of the site staff.

Large quantities of waste

The HWRCs are not designed to accept large quantities of soil, rubble, hardcore or associated materials from home renovations. For any larger quantities of this type of waste, please consider hiring a skip, skip bag or using a commercial waste contractor.

Vehicle restrictions

If you take waste to any of our sites using a restricted vehicle (van, pickup or large vehicle) you will require a valid vehicle voucher for each site visit.

Business waste

HWRCs are only to be used to dispose of waste from a resident’s own property. As long as staff are satisfied that the waste has come from your own home and it is not business waste, you will be able to use the HWRC.

Any tradespeople producing waste as part of their business will be redirected to one of our waste transfer stations.

Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is a criminal offence which can carry an unlimited fine or a 5 year prison sentence and should not be considered as an alternative to paying to dispose of your waste legally.

We understand that making changes to our services raises concerns about the potential increase of fly-tipping. However, there is no clear evidence from other councils who charge for waste disposal that shows there is a link between charging at HWRCs and fly-tipping.