The authority said that a survey of its 10 household waste recycling centres had found that 19 per cent of visitors were commercial users, who deposited up to 30 per cent of the waste collected.
Cabinet member for the environment, Jim Wade, said: “The county council has to pay 13 in tax for each tonne of rubbish taken to landfill sites from the centres.
It seems unfair that almost a third of that waste comes from traders, and it’s not right that public money should be used to dispose of rubbish from private businesses.”
Large-scale DIY rubbish is not considered household waste, even if it has come from a householder working on his or her own home, the council has warned.
Those arriving with more than half a tonne of DIY waste will be directed to other facilities where a charge is made.
Vans and commercial vehicles will be banned from the centres, and height barriers used.
The council said that taking in trade waste gave it a significant financial burden and raised legal questions with regard to licences.
Register for free to comment