Somerset residents will now be required to pay to use Dorset’s household waste recycling centres and must book their visit in advance. Dorset Council manages ten recycling centres across the county, including locations at Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Sherborne, and Wimborne, all of which now have mandatory slot bookings for users.
The Sherborne recycling centre on West Mill Lane has long been a convenient facility for residents of nearby Somerset villages such as Milborne Port, Templecombe, and Henstridge. However, starting Monday, March 23, residents from Somerset will be charged £8.50 to access the Sherborne site, with additional fees depending on the type and amount of waste they bring.
Local resident John Turner of Milborne Port expressed serious concerns about the new policy. He pointed out that the closest recycling centres within Somerset are located much farther away—26 miles round trip to Castle Cary and 28 miles to Yeovil—significantly increasing travel time and costs.
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Turner emphasized the impracticality of the fixed charge for disposing of small or low-value waste items, such as nearly empty rusty paint cans, electrical appliances larger than what fits in a plastic bag, or small amounts of wood and stone. He warned that the increased travel distances could also lead to higher carbon emissions, fuel expenses, and general inconvenience for households committed to responsible waste disposal.
A Dorset Council spokesperson clarified that only residents within Dorset Council’s jurisdiction can dispose of DIY waste free of charge. Those living outside the area must either use their local authority’s recycling centres or pay to use Dorset facilities, including a non-refundable £8.50 booking fee plus additional on-site charges.
Turner also cautioned that these restrictions may encourage illegal dumping or fly-tipping, shifting cleanup costs to taxpayers. He highlighted that the policy conflicts with sustainability goals by reducing recycling accessibility and imposing extra costs.
To mitigate these issues, Turner proposed a geographic solution: allowing free access to recycling centres for all households within a defined radius—such as within six miles of Sherborne—regardless of council borders. This approach would better reflect local geography, reduce unnecessary travel, and support environmental objectives.
Without such adjustments, the burden will continue to fall on residents who must travel farther, pay more, and generate increased emissions just to recycle responsibly.