Plan to charge for some types of rubbish and ask all drivers for ID at tips in Brighton and Hove

A consultation starts today seeking views on two changes the council wants to make at the city's tips.
Hove tip on Old Shoreham RoadHove tip on Old Shoreham Road
Hove tip on Old Shoreham Road

The first question Brighton and Hove City Council is asking is whether to start charging for certain types of materials that are not normal ‘household waste’ like rubble, soil, plasterboard, tyres and asbestos.

The second is whether ID checks should be carried out to ensure the people using the sites are Brighton and Hove residents.

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A council spokesman said at present the council takes non-household waste for free at its two waste and recycling sites, which are based in Wilson Avenue, Brighton, and Old Shoreham Road, Hove.

But the council said because accepting rubble, soil, plasterboard, tyres and asbestos costs the council, and therefore the taxpayer, it may now start charging for their disposal, something that other councils already do.

The council said the money charged would be ring-fenced and reinvested into Cityclean services like refuse, recycling and street cleansing.

On ID checks, the council said these currently take place for van users to ensure they are residents of the city and to ensure they are not disposing of trade waste.

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However, the council added that checks and other evidence shows people from outside the city are using the recycling sites.

"It means Brighton and Hove taxpayers are paying for the disposal of waste from non-Brighton & Hove residents," said the spokesman.

The council argued that introducing checks would save money and ensure the sites are only used by those local residents who pay for them.

The consultation starts today and ends on May 31.

On the consultation page, the council said: "We’d like to hear from any residents of Brighton and Hove, whether you’re a regular user of our recycling sites or not. We also welcome feedback from charitable or community organisations with an interest in the service."

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You can fill in the consultation survey here: https://consultations.brighton-hove.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling-and-streets/household-waste-recycling-sites/The findings will then be taken to the council’s environment, transport and sustainability committee to discuss and decide on before any further action is taken.

The city's waste and recycling sites are operated by Veolia on behalf of the council.