Rubble is not categorised as household waste (even if it's brought to the site by a resident of the borough) so a charge for disposing of it applies.
- from 1st April 2023, disposal of rubble is charged at £5.25 per sack (no matter how full the sack is)
- the maximum sack size is 50cm x 77cm
- a maximum of 6 sacks per visit is permitted
- payment will be taken on site and can be made by debit/credit card
- rubble should be brought to the site so that the waste is contained and can be safely lifted
- please separate soil from the rubble, soil that is disposed of separately can be disposed of without a charge
Rubble includes construction and demolition materials such as:
- bricks
- cement
- ceramic bathroom suites
- clay
- concrete blocks
- gravel
- hardcore
- paving slabs
- plaster
- rubble
- sand
- slate
- stone
- tiles
The maximum sack size is 50cm x 77cm when laid flat, this is the size of a heavy duty rubble sack. You may also bring rubble to the site in other containers, such as crates or plastic boxes (up to a maximum size of 30cm x 30cm x 25 cm). Staff are trained to make approximations on the amount of waste taken to the site in other containers, in order to charge fairly.
Rubble Charging FAQs
Why is rubble now being charged for?
The introduction of rubble charging is to reclaim the costs associated with the disposal of this waste stream and to deter potential site abuse from trade and commercial businesses. This will ensure that it is only those residents that wish to use the service pay for the cost of disposal.
What is rubble?
Rubble includes construction and demolition materials such as, stone, rubble, clay, hardcore, slate, bricks, concrete blocks, paving slabs, gravel, sand, plaster/cement mix, tiles and ceramic bathroom suites.
What is the charge?
There is a charge of £5.25 for a sack that is 50cmx77cm when laid flat. This is the size of a heavy duty rubble sack. The minimum charge is £5.25 no matter how full the sack is.
How much rubble can I bring?
A maximum of 6 sacks per visit will be accepted.
Can I still bring soil?
Yes, soil is still accepted. Soil should be separated from the rubble material so it can be disposed of separately.
How do I pay?
Payment will be taken at the HRRC at the time of your visit. Payments are accepted via all major credit/debit cards. We are unable to accept cash payments on site.
Can I have a receipt?
Yes. Please let the site staff know prior to payment that you require a receipt.
Do I need to book my visit?
Yes, you will need to make a booking via the Council’s website and indicate on the booking form that you will be bringing rubble. The visit will be counted towards the fair usage policy in operation at the HRRC.
You can bring other accepted waste on your visit.
What happens during my visit?
On arrival at the HRRC, you will be directed to the rubble disposal parking bay. Once parked, the site staff will arrange for payment to be taken to dispose of the rubble, and the gate to the container will be opened to allow for disposal.
I can’t carry a full rubble bag and need to split my waste. What can I do?
Not all residents will be able carry a full 50cm x 70cm rubble sack. Our HRRC site staff will accept rubble taken to the site in other containers, such as crates or plastic boxes, these should be no larger than 30cm x 30cm x 25cm. Rubble should be brought to the site so that the waste is contained and can be safely lifted.
Staff will be trained to make approximations on the amount of waste taken to the site in other containers in order to charge fairly. This will be agreed with the resident prior to payment and disposal. In case of dispute of the charge, the site manager’s decision is final.
Will I be charged for disposal of other household materials?
No, residents can continue to use the HRRC to dispose of all other household waste free of charge.
Do other councils charge for rubble disposal?
Many councils across the country, including Bromley, Surrey, Hampshire and Essex, charge for rubble among other DIY waste at similar prices. There is no evidence to suggest a correlation between the implementation of this charge and a rise in fly tipping.
Can I dispose of rubble via other methods?
If you are having work done in their home, the tradesperson should dispose of any waste material.
If you are doing a job yourself which is likely to create a lot of rubble waste, you could consider using a mini skip or other commercial waste service.
What happens to the rubble after it’s taken to the HRRC?
The rubble is recycled into aggregate for road surfaces