If you ask us, and many of course do, the key to encouraging more responsible and effective recycling habits lies in ensuring the process is as easy and convenient as possible. Certainly not the kind of thing that leaves the average everyday individual out of pocket.

 Unfortunately, environmental officials in Wales seem to believe that the key to enhanced recycling actually lies in doing the exact opposite. Which means that rather than allowing responsible members of the public to dispose of everyday waste at recycling centres free of charge, they are soon going to be charged for it.

As of November 1, various waste items like tiles, plasterboard, rubble, soil and tyres will be chargeable at the point of disposal.

For example, at the recycling centres of Mochdre and Abergele, it will cost members of the public £30 to leave the equivalent of a trailer load of soil or wood, along with £3 for every bag of rubble and the same charge for window frames, doors, baths and other large items.

According to the council, the measures have been necessary to avoid a reduction in the opening hours, or prevent the closure of sites altogether.

“It has not been an easy decision to introduce these charges,” said Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Roads and Facilities cllr Don Milne.

“The recycling centres are very popular with our residents. DIY and construction waste is expensive for the Council to process and we are not legally obliged to deal with it,”

“We are asking residents to help us keep the recycling centres sustainable by paying this small charge for the disposal of non-household waste, which most people only generate once in a while when renovating or remodelling their property.”

“Most of the waste that visitors bring to the recycling centres remains free of charge and we thank our residents for their commitment to recycling.”

Unsurprisingly, opposition has been extremely strong and many believe that the introduction of charges will simply result in more members of the public fly-tipping than ever before.

Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders said:

“I am absolutely opposed to the introduction of tip charges,” commented Aberconwy AM Janet Finch-Saunders.

“The consequences could be serious, such as a further increase in fly-tipping, which blight our local communities, and already costs Conwy almost £56,000 a year to clean up,”

“Residents should not be punished financially for disposing of their waste responsibly,”

“Given the concerns raised in relation to the reduction of bin collections, this really does rub salt in the wound of families who are already under pressure from a reduction in Council services.”

In any case, the new policy represents an undeniable example at the exact opposite of the kind of incentives that have been proven to make a positive difference to overall recycling rates. Whether the scheme will make much of a difference long-term remains to be seen, though the initial public response has not been particularly positive.

For more information on responsible (and 100% free) car scrapping and recycling, get in touch with the Take My Scrap Car customer service team today.