HOUSEHOLD recycling centres in Dorset and Bournemouth are to start charging for the disposal of certain waste items.

From September 1, hardcore and rubble, soil, plasterboard, cement bonded asbestos, tyres and gas bottles, including fire extinguishers, will incur a charge varying between £1.50 and £35 per bag/item for disposal at sites administered by the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP).

The plans bring Dorset in line with Borough of Poole, which has charged for disposing of these materials since November 2014.

Bournemouth council has also announced the introduction of charges for “non-household waste” starting next month, as well as a new permit system for van drivers. Its Millhams Recycling Centre was recently taken over by Poole council.

DWP said that, with the exception of asbestos, there will no longer be a limit on the quantity of these materials that can be brought on site, although the waste strictly cannot come from commercial activity.

Asbestos waste disposal will need to be pre-booked.

Councillor Tony Alford, chairman of the DWP joint committee, said: “When considering the introduction of these charges the DWP focused on materials that cost a lot of money to process but are not dropped off by most residents on a regular basis.

“Rather than remove the facility to accept these items entirely, we are providing a compromise that will maintain convenience for the public but also save money for our partner councils.

“Funds raised from these charges will allow us to process those materials without passing the cost on to the taxpayer.

“We will also be keeping a close eye on reports of fly-tipping, although we do not anticipate any long term changes as a result of these charges being introduced.”

The partnership said local authorities have no legal obligation to deal with materials which do not come from the day-to-day running of a household, and that disposal of stipulated materials is “very expensive”.

A spokesman said: “These new charges have already been introduced at most other household recycling centres across the South West.

“The money raised will go directly toward the cost of processing these items, helping make savings for council tax payers in Dorset.”

Also, the DWP is asking residents to refrain from putting these materials in their rubbish bin at home as it will contaminate the contents, meaning more has to be sent to landfill or for treatment.

Further details on the charges (including prices) can be found at dorsetforyou.com/hrc-charges.