Somerset residents to be charged for using Dorset recycling centres

Somerset residents will have to pay to use Dorset’s household waste recycling centres from Monday (March 23) – and will have to book a slot in advance.

Dorset Council operates ten recycling centres across its county – with those using the facilities at Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne and Wimborne now having to book in advance.

Sherborne recycling centre, located on West Mill Lane, is regularly used by Somerset residents living in the nearby villages, including Milborne Port, Templecombe and Henstridge.

But from Monday (March 23), Somerset residents will have to pay £8.50 to use the facility – with further changes potentially being levied depending on the type and quantity of waste being disposed of at this site.

Milborne Port resident John Turner has warned that these changes will lead to longer journeys for waste disposal, with the nearest Somerset facilities being in either Castle Cary (a 26-mile round trip) or Yeovil (28 miles).

He said: “The new charges raise serious concerns about practicality and fairness.

“We question who is likely to pay £8.50 to dispose of small or low-value items, such as an almost empty rusty tin of paint, electrical appliances larger than those that fit in a plastic bag, or small amounts of unwanted wood, stone, or similar materials.

“Increased travel distances are likely to result in higher carbon emissions, additional fuel costs, and inconvenience for households attempting to responsibly dispose of waste.”

Dorset Council has confirmed that Milborne Port residents can visit the Sherborne site without booking until close of play on Sunday (March 22) – after which the new charges and booking system will come into effect.

A spokeperson said: “Only Dorset Council residents can dispose of their DIY waste for free.

“If you live outside of the Dorset Council area, you will either need to use your own local authority recycling centre or pre-book and pay for the disposal of your waste at one of ours.

“This will include a non refundable fee of £8.50 when booking your slot and an additional payment at site to dispose of your items.”

Mr Turner said that restricting access to this recycling centre could encourage residents in rural areas to fly-tip – with the cost of clearing up such incidents being borne by the taxpayer.

He said: “The policy contradicts broader sustainability goals by effectively discouraging recycling through reduced accessibility and the introduction of additional costs.

“Longer travel requirements or usage fees may lead to an increase in fly-tipping or improper waste disposal.

“A simple and practical solution has been proposed: adopting a geographic approach whereby households within a defined radius (such as postcodes located within six miles of Sherborne) would be granted free access to the recycling centre, regardless of council boundaries.

“Such an approach would reflect the realities of local geography, reduce unnecessary travel, and support environmental objectives.

“Without intervention, the burden will remain on residents who are being asked to travel further, pay more, and emit more – simply to recycle their waste responsibly.”