FROM Thursday, visitors to Dorset’s household recycling centres will have to pay charges for certain waste items.

The charges on items including soil and rubble, asbestos, gas bottles and tyres have been in place in Poole since 2014, and are due to be introduced separately by Dorset Waste Partnership and Bournemouth council at the same time in their respective areas.

Bournemouth’s Millhams Recycling Centre was recently taken over by Borough of Poole.

What are the charges? 

The charges are being brought up to the same level around the county, and are as follows:

1. Hardcore and rubble, including ceramic toilets and sinks, paving slabs and tiles - £1.50 per bag or item

2. Soil - £1.50 per bag

3. Asbestos - £6 per bag or £12 per small domestic roofing sheet or similar

4. Plasterboard - £2.50 per bag or £10 per sheet

5. Tyres - £5 per tyre

6. Gas canisters, including fire extinguishers - £6 up to 10kg, £11 up to 20kg or £35 over 20kg

Asbestos waste disposal will need to be pre-booked.

What can I dispose of for free?

All other household waste, including garden waste, recyclables and general waste will still be accepted free of charge.  

Where will the charges apply?

The charges will apply at all household recycling centres including Nuffield HRC in Poole and those in Christchurch, Wimborne, Shaftesbury and Blandford.

They only apply to household waste as commercial waste must be disposed of separately.

What about Bournemouth?

The charges mentioned above will be the same at Millhams.

Can't I just put them in my rubbish bin instead?

The Dorset Waste Partnership is asking residents to refrain from putting these materials in their rubbish bin at home as it will contaminate the contents, meaning more has to be sent to landfill or for treatment.

Why are they doing it?

Councillor Tony Alford, chairman of the DWP joint committee, said: “When considering the introduction of these charges the DWP focused on materials that cost a lot of money to process but are not dropped off by most residents on a regular basis.

“Rather than remove the facility to accept these items entirely, we are providing a compromise that will maintain convenience for the public but also save money for our partner councils.

“Funds raised from these charges will allow us to process those materials without passing the cost on to the taxpayer.

Anything else do be aware of?

A new permit system for van drivers comes into effect at Millhams on September 1. You should have already received a letter inviting you to apply.