Fees for disposing of DIY waste could be abolished as part of the fight against fly-tipping

The Covid pandemic has seen fly-tipping cases rise by 16% year-on-year and councils could scrap some waste disposal fees under new proposals

Home improvement disposal fees could be scrapped as part of a crackdown on fly-tipping.

It follows an explosion of crime during the pandemic.

Councils handled 1.13million incidents in 2020/21, up 16% on the previous year, and it’s costing taxpayers up to £392million a year.

Now council charges of up to £10 for take away items such as plasterboard, bricks and baths could end under new Government proposals.

Environment Secretary Jo Churchill said: “When it comes to fly-tipping, enough is enough. These appalling incidents are costing us £392m a year and it is time to put an end to them.

“I want to make sure that recycling and proper disposal of rubbish is free, accessible and easy for households. No one should be tempted to approach or approach criminals and scoundrels.

“In addition, the funding we announced today for local authorities will help them pilot innovative new projects to stop the dump.

“We will learn from the successes – and repeat them.”

Ministers also want to look into booking centers at recycling plants, fearing they could make waste disposal more difficult.

Some town halls in England will receive grants to tackle flytipping through test projects including CCTV to target hotspots.

In 2015, fees for the disposal of waste at domestic refuse depots were banned.

But it’s estimated that a third of municipalities still charge for some types of home improvement waste.

Environmental Services Association (ESA) Executive Director Jacob Hayler said: “There is no one-size-fits-all solution to tackling the scourge of fly-tipping, so we are delighted that the Government is announcing today a range of new relief measures to deter this deeply anti-social criminal behaviour.

Marcus Gover, chief executive of the charity WRAP, also welcomed the move.

He said: “Minimising waste is key to this and the introduction of fly-tipping reduction grants across England and Wales is necessary to help prevent the ongoing environmental costs of this illegal activity.”