Kent recycling centres to introduce £10 charge for non-residents while Dartford permit scheme set to end

Published: 08:28, 20 February 2023

Updated: 15:02, 20 February 2023

A new charge is set to be brought in at recycling centres in Kent.

From April, anyone who lives outside the county will have to stump up £10 to dump waste at its 19 tips.

A new charge is to be brought in across Kent's recycling centres for non-residents. Picture: Paul Amos

This includes residents in Medway who are looking to book into a Kent County Council (KCC)-run dump to dispose of their rubbish.

The cost, which KCC is bringing in at the start of April, is to be paid by card on arrival at the tips.

In better news for some, however, Dartford residents have been informed they will no longer need to show a permit or proof of residency to use the recycling centre in Old Rochester Way.

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The Dartford permit scheme, which has been in place for more than 25 years, will end on April 1, with the recycling centre managed through the same booking system as the others.

A spokesperson for Kent County Council said: "From April 1, 2023, non-Kent residents who use any of our 19 Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), will be required to pay £10 to visit.

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A number of changes are being made at the end of March

"By non-Kent residents we mean any resident that does not pay council tax to one of the district, borough or city councils in the county.

"This also means Medway residents will be required to pay the £10 fee.

"When you use our booking system, non-Kent residents will be told they have to pay £10 per visit/booking on arrival at the HWRC site.

"This information will also be included on the confirmation emails. Our staff will request payment when you arrive and we reserve the right to request proof of residency."

Meanwhile, Medway Council has announced that at the end of March an agreement allowing Kent residents to use its three recycling centres will end, following the end of an agreement with KCC to reimburse the cost of Kent residents using the sites.

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A spokesperson for the council said that the centres had seen an average of 44,000 visits from Kent residents during 2021 and 2022.

Cllr Phil Filmer, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Waste Services, said: “Medway provides an excellent waste and recycling service, including free weekly household collections. Medway’s three household waste and recycling centres accept a variety of items people no longer need, and the booking system helps manage demand for this service.

“Thousands of Kent residents had been choosing to use Medway’s household waste and recycling centres, and the agreement with Kent County Council ensured that costs were reimbursed so Medway taxpayers did not pick up the bill.

"However, now this agreement has come to an end Kent residents will no longer be able to access our three sites. From 31 March, only residents who pay council tax to Medway Council will be able to book a trip to a Medway tip.”

The centres where non-Kent residents will need to pay to dump rubbish are: