Issue - meetings

Surrey County Council (SCC) as the statutory Waste Disposal Authority (WDA) is responsible for the provision of Community Recycling Centres (CRC). These are currently operated by our contractor SUEZ.

The types of waste that a WDA must accept free of charge at its community recycling centres is set out in the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012. These regulations make it clear that the WDA does not have to accept ‘waste from construction or demolition works including preparatory works’ even if this arises from domestic premises.  To this end, on 1 September 2016, SCC introduced charges for construction waste at its community recycling centres.

However, on 18 June 2023, the Government announced it will be changing the law to require WDAs to accept small amounts of construction waste from residents free of charge, such waste arising from DIY construction activities by the resident. It is proposed to mirror this exactly in Surrey and implement the change on 1 September 2023.

The Cabinet Member approved the proposed changes to the Council’s policy for the acceptance of construction waste at its community recycling centres to enable residents to bring small amounts of construction waste from do-it–yourself activities free of charge in accordance with the changes to the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012 as proposed by Government.