Charges for Islanders disposing of larger amounts of DIY waste at the Isle of Wight’s Household Waste Recycling Centres will come into force from Monday 14th September.
Residents carrying out DIY projects will continue to be able to dispose of limited amounts of waste free of charge, with each household allowed one 50-litre rubble sack per visit, up to 4 times in any 4-week period.
Charges will only apply when that allowance is exceeded, with general household and recycling waste unaffected by the changes.
The new charges will also apply where waste is considered commercial, including waste generated through contractor-led work, major renovations or waste brought to a recycling centre by a third party.
The changes were approved as part of the Isle of Wight Council’s budget at Full Council in February 2026.
County Hall says it is facing unprecedented financial pressures as a result of rising demand, increasing contract costs and the national funding settlement.
It says the introduction of DIY waste charges is not a money-making exercise and the fees will only cover the costs of providing the service.
All visits to dispose of DIY waste must be booked online in advance. A 50-litre bag could weigh anywhere between 5kg and 50kg depending on the material being disposed of.
Light DIY waste such as plastic, insulation, packaging and empty tins is estimated to weigh between 5kg and 10kg per 50-litre bag, while wood, laminate and plasterboard could weigh between 15kg and 25kg.
A 50-litre bag containing rubble, bricks, tiles or concrete could weigh between 35kg and 45kg, rising to between 40kg and 50kg for soil, sand and gravel.
Natasha Dix, Service Director for Waste, Environment and Planning, has said:
“Most residents only generate small amounts of DIY waste and will still be able to dispose of this free of charge.
“The changes mean the cost of disposing of larger amounts of construction waste is paid by those using the service most, helping us maintain the service for all residents.”
Under the new charges, waste must be separated by type and the free allowance covers a total of 50 litres of DIY waste – not 50 litres of each material.
Waste must also be brought to the recycling centre by the resident rather than a contractor.
RUBBLE AND HARDCORE
For bricks, tiles and ceramics, up to 50 litres will remain free.
An additional 50-litre sack will cost £4, while a small load of up to 4 sacks will cost £15. A large load, equivalent to a car boot or trailer, will cost £30.
PLASTERBOARD
Up to 50 litres will be accepted free of charge.
A standard sheet measuring up to 2.4m x 1.2m will cost £5, while a half sheet or bagged equivalent will cost £3.
SOIL AND SUBSOIL
The first 50 litres will remain free, with each additional 50-litre bag costing £4.
A bulk load equivalent to a car boot will cost £25.
MIXED CONSTRUCTION WASTE
Up to 50 litres will remain free, after which each 50-litre equivalent will cost £5.
A small mixed load will cost £20 and a large mixed load will cost £35.
WOOD
Small household quantities of wood within the free allowance will remain free, while large DIY volumes will cost £10 per load.
Payment must be made before the waste is accepted, with debit and credit card payments available on site.
Residents are being advised to check the latest guidance before visiting a Household Waste Recycling Centre as charges, allowances and accepted waste types may change.
Such fees will encourage numpties to fly tip.
If you need to raise extra revenue on the island why
not rollout ISLANDWIDE PARKING PERMIT FEES