Cut waste cost with free small adverts

Concerned about waste costs in mid-Somerset? No need; here is myeasy guide to recycle and save.

First, remember that most do not pay: all 14 Recycling Centresare free to enter so only four additional Community Recycling Siteshave entrance fees of Pounds 2 or less, while only four materialshave charges at all facilities: tyres, gas bottles, soil andhardcore.

If you usually use a Community Recycling Site, its low entry feemeans an alternative will almost certainly cost you more in fuel.Top tip: accumulate materials or share a trip.

Charges for four materials not classed as household waste, fromPounds 2.90 for a bag of soil or hardcore to Pounds 3.30 for a tyreand Pounds 6 for a gas bottle, represent the end of past council taxsubsidies, but it is easy to spend less.

To return empty gas bottles free to the firm that sold them thereis a useful list of companies, their brands, and contact numbers atsomer setwaste.gov.uk.

For tyres, alternative uses include stacks for growing potatoes,kids' garden swings, and as protective "bumpers" in garages. Tyrefitters usually take worn tyres for a fee to cover their disposalcosts.

Soil and hardcore initially looks more difficult for cost cuttingbut even here there are options, not forgetting that hardcore'sdefinition is "anything arising from construction, demolition orDIY, such as stone, rubble, clay, concrete, ceramics, porcelain,asphalt or similar construction materials". Flower pots and cerealbowls are free, paving slabs and broken tiles are not.

If you produce soil from garden work or rubble from a buildingproject, you could save by hiring a skip or using a service likeHippobag, but plenty of other gardeners and DIYers will collect yourwaste if it is free.

As well as letting people know through village notice boards,garden clubs and online Freecycle groups, this newspaper and othersin Somerset offer free classified adverts for cheap or free items.Rules vary - internet entries for some, official forms for others -so pick up a paper and save.

PS: Until Friday, May 6, kerbside collections move back one dayexcept for Thursday, April 28 (services on Saturday, April 30 andthe royal wedding Friday, April 29 (services Sunday, May 1).

Nick Cater is senior communications officer at Somerset WastePartnership, which manages waste and recycling services on behalf ofall local authorities in Somerset. www.somerset waste.gov.uk.