About construction and waste disposal

Each calendar month every household can bring up to eight, 50 litre sacks of construction and demolition waste to a recycling site free of charge. This includes asbestos, plasterboard, hardcore and rubble from household DIY projects (or equivalent 2m sheets of asbestos or plasterboard). For example, two visits bringing 4 bags each time, or a single visit bringing 8 bags.

DIY waste must have been produced by the householder, waste produced by a trade is not included in the allowance.

Construction and demolition materials (hardcore) include:

• Asbestos
• Bricks and concrete
• Clay
• Plasterboard
• Rubble
• Sinks, tiles and toilets made from ceramics or porcelain
• Stone

There is no charge for crockery or clay flowerpots, although we ask for these to be put in hardcore skips.

Residents may wish to phone their local recycling site ahead of their visit to check they can accept the waste.

Book your visit or pay for additional allowance

Households need to pre-book their trips to dispose of this DIY waste, please let us know

• the amount of material you are disposing (up to eight 50 litre sacks per month)
• the number of times you will need to visit (up to 4 visits per month)

Charges and payment

Each calendar month every household can bring up to eight, 50 litre sacks (or equivalent 2m sheets of asbestos or plasterboard) free of charge to a recycling site over a maximum of four visits in a month.

Charges for additional waste

• Asbestos £17.10 per sheet
• Plasterboard £5.80 per sheet
• Hardcore £5 per bag

You need to pre-book your trip to dispose of this DIY waste, we need to know:

• the amount of material you are disposing (up to eight 50 litre sacks per month)
• the number of times you will need to visit (up to 4 visits per month)

Plasterboard disposal

Plasterboard and plaster are gypsum-based materials used in building and construction works. It is not an unsafe material to handle or transport but needs to be recycled separately to cut toxic pollution. You also might be able to sell or give it away for reuse.

How to present it at a recycling site

Plasterboard and plaster waste should be free from contamination before you take it to the recycling centre. Remove all wood, masonry, tiles, fixings and dispose of these separately. Charges may apply.

You can recycle plasterboard or plaster at the following recycling sites.

• Bridgwater (Saltlands) recycling centre
• Chard recycling centre
• Crewkerne recycling centre
• Dulverton recycling centre
• Frome recycling centre
• Highbridge recycling centre
• Street recycling centre
• Taunton (Priorswood) recycling centre
• Wells (Dulcote) recycling centre
• Williton recycling centre
• Yeovil recycling centre

Asbestos disposal

Asbestos can give off harmful dust particles and fibres, so must be handled with care. Cement bonded, sheet asbestos and asbestos containing materials from the home can be taken to the following recycling sites for disposal.

• Bridgwater (Saltlands) recycling centre
• Frome recycling centre
• Highbridge recycling centre
• Minehead recycling centre
• Street recycling centre
• Taunton (Priorswood) recycling centre
• Yeovil recycling centre

Site staff are unable to help unload asbestos under any circumstances because of its hazardous nature.

Various everyday items can contain asbestos, including:

• Vinyl (Marley) floor tiles and textured (Aertex) ceiling tiles
• Insulation materials, such as airing-cupboard doors, fire doors and oven doors
• Roofing materials, soffits, gutters and drains
• Iron rests on old-fashioned ironing boards and fire blankets
• Asbestos insulation boards, fire surrounds and domestic flues
• Cement products and cold water cisterns

How to present it at a recycling site

Securely double bag or wrap the asbestos in plastic (preferably clear plastic) and seal before taking it for disposal. Industrial grade heavy-duty plastic can be used. There must be no holes, rips or tears in the containment or it will be refused.

When you arrive at the recycle site, let staff know you have asbestos. They will check your receipt and quantity before directing you to the correct container. Place the wrapped asbestos (containing safety clothing and cleaning cloths) in the container.

We will only accept material that is completely contained.

If you are unable to take bonded asbestos or a storage heater to one of the designated recycling sites, you can arrange for an asbestos collection from your home for a fee. You can read about asbestos collection here.

Safety advice

Use gloves, cover exposed skin by wearing disposable overalls and wear suitable respiratory protection. Find more information on Personal Protective Equipment (including Respiratory Protective Equipment). For asbestos removal advice see the Health and Safety Executive website.

Do not break, drill, scrub or saw the asbestos. You should not break up large sheets.

Storage heaters

There are seven designated recycling centres that accept cement bonded/sheet asbestos and storage heaters (which can contain asbestos).

Storage heaters should not be broken up and also need to be double bagged or wrapped (preferably in clear plastic) and sealed when taken for disposal. Storage heaters can be disposed of for free within the same limits as asbestos (for example one storage heater = four sack/sheets).

If you need to dismantle a non-asbestos storage heater which contains bricks, there will be a charge to dispose of the bricks. View the on-site charges price list.

Any storage heater that cannot be identified as asbestos free must be treated as hazardous waste and paid for before depositing in the hazardous container.

Commercial or trade waste

Commercial or trade asbestos cannot be disposed of at any recycling site. Businesses must make arrangements with a commercial waste management company. If you have commercial asbestos or a large amount for disposal, contact the Asbestos Removal Contractors Association or arrange with a commercial waste management company.

A list of registered carriers can be obtained from the Environment Agency.