Buckinghamshire County Council have introduced a new permit scheme at its household waste recycling centres, that will be required for commercial vehicles, people on foot, or those with large trailers (up to 1.8m x 1.2m maximum). The permit will be valid for a 31-day period from issue and in addition the quantity of DIY waste will be limited to up to 6 items per permit.
The use of household waste recycling centres here and elsewhere in the UK has been difficult to control as traders are often lurking and seeking free disposal of their industrial or commercial wastes. The sites are strictly reserved for household wastes unless there is a specified scheme for trade use. The costs to council tax payers can be substantial.
The down side is that restrictions on use of these sites may encourage fly-tipping, through which the cost of clearance often falls back on the council concerned or other parties. This means that a council has to bear a collection charge as well as a disposal charge to remove fly-tipped material.
In the case of Buckinghamshire, residents using a private car, 4x4 or MPV will not need a permit to take DIY items of waste to the sites. Height barriers are in place during the week, but these have been permanently raised while the sites are open making it easier for residents with high-sided vehicles to bring their waste and materials for recycling.
There are 9 HWRCs in Buckinghamshire of which 3, at Amersham, Aylesbury and High Wycombe, accept trade wastes.
The permits will be easily obtainable and free, but will have to be applied for some three working days in advance of any trip to allow for the post.
Spokesman for Waste
Patricia Birchley, lead spokesman for waste, said:
"The new rules will make it much easier for most people legally bringing their waste to these sites. They will, however, mean that people renovating their homes or gardens need to plan ahead a little. 
"Traders, though, will find it much harder - especially if we begin phase two later this year. This will involve Automatic Number Plate recognition equipment on site which can monitor activity. This will generally be helpful for planning the overall service, but also mean we would be able to track patterns of illegal dumping by traders and prosecute them."
Purpose of the Scheme
The purpose of the scheme is twofold aiming to:
- discourage illegal dumping of trade waste at household waste recycling centres which costs the taxpayer in excess of £400,000 a year, and
- address concerns raised by site users regarding restricted access for large vehicles during the week which has resulted in queues at the weekend
A second phase of the scheme will follow next year, with the introduction of vehicle licence plate recognition cameras so traders who frequently visit sites to illegally dump waste can be identified and dealt with - this could take the form of a letter reminding them that they must pay for disposing of their waste or, for persistent offenders, a criminal prosecution.
More information can be found at www.buckscc.gov.uk/wastepermit, or by phoning 01296 387828.