What the law says (England)
Since 31 December 2023, DIY waste that a householder brings to the tip counts as household waste, which councils can't charge for, but only where:
- it comes from construction or demolition work you did yourself at your own home;
- you didn't pay anyone to do the work;
- each visit is less than 100 litres and fits in two 50 litre bags, or is one item no larger than 2000mm x 750mm x 700mm; and
- you make no more than four such visits in any four weeks, per household.
Above those limits, councils can charge. Many do, and the amounts vary a lot: see rubble, plasterboard and soil.
The rule comes from the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2023, which changed entry 9 in Schedule 1 to the Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012. Despite the name, it only applies in England.
Wales
The 2023 change doesn't apply in Wales, so each Welsh council sets its own rules. Choose your council above to see what it says.
Waste from a builder
If you paid someone to do the work, the waste is theirs to deal with as trade waste. Most council tips won't take it, or charge trade rates.
This checker tells you what the regulations say. Your council decides how it applies them at the gate, so check its page before you go.