Taking construction waste to recycling sites
Each month, each household can bring up to eight 50 litre sacks of construction and demolition waste to a recycling site free of charge. This can be spread over multiple visits. For example, two visits bringing 4 bags each time, or a single visit bringing 8 bags.
Only DIY waste from your own home can be brought. Waste from a business is not allowed.
Construction and demolition materials 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, but these must be put in hardcore skips.
You may wish to phone your local recycling site ahead of your visit to check they can accept the waste.
Book your visit or pay for additional allowance
You need to pre-book any 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 for additional waste
- Asbestos £17.10 per sheet
- Plasterboard £5.80 per sheet
- Hardcore £5 per bag
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 it needs to be recycled separately to protect the environment. You also might be able to sell or give it away for reuse.
How take plaster to 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 these 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 these 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 take asbestos to a recycling site
Securely double bag or wrap the asbestos in plastic and seal it before taking it for disposal. Use clear, industrial grade heavy-duty plastic if possible. There must be no holes, rips or tears in the containment or it will be refused.
When you arrive at the recycle site, do the following:
- Tell the staff you have asbestos.
- Show them your receipt and the amount of asbestos.
- Follow their directions to the correct container
- Place the wrapped asbestos (including 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.
- Wear a breathing mask.
- Do not break, drill, scrub or saw the asbestos.
- Do not not break up large sheets.
Find more information on Personal Protective Equipment (including Respiratory Protective Equipment). For asbestos removal advice see the Health and Safety Executive website.
Storage heaters
Storage heaters can contain asbestos. They 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.