Cornwall Residents Can Now Dispose of DIY Waste at Nine Recycling Centres For Free

Cornwall residents can now dispose of a range of DIY waste at nine Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) across the Duchy, free of charge. This service, which includes the disposal of materials such as asbestos, plasterboard, soil, and rubble, has been extended following a successful six-month trial earlier this year.

Where You Can Take Your DIY Waste

The nine HWRCs where residents can take DIY waste without charge include:

• St Erth
• Falmouth
• Truro
• Newquay
• St Austell
• Saltash
• Bude
• Tintagel (until later this year)
• Connon Bridge, Liskeard

The Tintagel site will continue to accept DIY waste until later in the year, after which the service will be shifted to the Launceston HWRC once construction works are completed.

What You Can Take and How Much

Residents are allowed to dispose of up to eight bags of soil or rubble, or four sheets of plasterboard or asbestos, per week at the designated sites. Additionally, motor vehicle tyres (excluding those from commercial or agricultural vehicles) can be taken to these sites. For specific restrictions on tyre disposal, residents are encouraged to check the Cornwall Council website.

DIY waste refers to materials from home improvement projects that residents have undertaken themselves. It’s important to note that this does not include any form of commercial waste, which must be disposed of through a licensed commercial waste collector. If you hire someone to carry out work on your property, any waste generated will be considered commercial waste and will not be accepted at the HWRCs, even if you attempt to bring it yourself.

Increased Access in South East Cornwall

The decision to expand the service follows a significant 101% increase in DIY waste received during the trial period. After reviewing the trial data, Cornwall Council recognised the need to improve access to this service for residents in South East Cornwall, leading to the introduction of DIY waste disposal at Connon Bridge HWRC near Liskeard.

Councillor Carol Mould, portfolio holder for Neighbourhoods at Cornwall Council, highlighted the popularity of the service among residents and emphasised the council’s commitment to continuing this free disposal option at the trial sites.

For more detailed information on the types of waste accepted and any applicable charges for exceeding the weekly limits, visit the Cornwall Council website.

Cornwall residents are encouraged to take full advantage of this service, ensuring that DIY waste is disposed of responsibly and in accordance with local guidelines.