DIY waste

What is DIY waste?

DIY waste, or construction and demolition waste, is rubbish created by building or renovation work.

DIY waste includes:

• hardcore, rubble or bricks
• paving slabs
• plasterboard
• roofing materials
• soil or turf
• baths, toilets or basins
• parts of central heating systems
• tiles
• doors, windows and frames
• kitchen units and wardrobes
• shed or fence panels
• laminate flooring
• timber, MDF or hardboard
• paint

By law, DIY waste is classified as industrial waste. However, we accept small amounts of personal household DIY waste for free at our household waste and recycling centres.

What counts as small amounts of DIY waste is explained below. If you plan a project that will create a lot of waste, try to reduce this or reuse as much as possible.

If you wish to deliver commercial or industrial waste, including large amounts of DIY waste from your home, or are not a borough resident, contact Cory Environmental Ltd:

• telephone: 020 8871 3924

to check trade waste opening times and current charges.

DIY waste: small amounts

If you have a small amount of DIY waste, take it to the Smugglers Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre.

What we accept and how to deliver it

We accept:

• by car: small amounts of DIY waste can be taken to the Smugglers Way Household Waste and Recycling Centre by car, free of charge
• by van: residents can dispose of small amounts of DIY waste for free when delivering it in a van. This can be up to 100 litres of waste or one large item no bigger than 2m x 0.75m x 0.7m, such as a bath, one door or one kitchen unit.
  Only one free delivery is allowed per week. Residents must pre-book and show valid ID when they arrive.

You can bring the waste in any bag or container you can carry. Staff will visually check waste delivered by van to make sure limits above are followed and to prevent commercial traders from using the service.

If you bring more than the allowed amount, you will be charged based on the weight of the extra DIY waste delivered.

DIY waste: large amounts

The council does not accept large amounts of DIY waste. This:

• helps control costs for Council Tax payers, as construction and demolition waste is heavy and expensive to process

• prevents illegal use of public tips by traders

• reduces congestion, as large volumes of DIY waste take longer to unload than household or recyclable waste

• improves health and safety by reducing large vehicles on site and the potential dangerous handing of construction and demolition waste

If someone else is doing the work on your home

Your builder is legally responsible for getting rid of any waste created by their work. Before hiring them:

• ask how they will recycle or dispose of waste
• check disposal costs are included in their quote

If someone removes rubbish for you, whether paid or unpaid, you are responsible for checking that they have a valid waste carrier licence.

If they fly-tip your waste, you could receive a fine ranging from £1,000 fixed penalty notice, to an unlimited amount if the case goes to court. Fly-tipping can also lead to a prison sentence of up to five years.

You can check a contractor’s licence on the government's Public Registers Online.