Do-it-yourself lovers will soon be able to dispose of waste from home improvement projects free of charge at Suffolk's recycling centres.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has revealed plans to abolish council charges for DIY waste in England, but a timetable has still to be set for implementation. 

This means that every county council will have to treat DIY waste the same as other household waste and collect it free of charge. 

The new legislation is hoped to stop the issue of fly-tipping. 

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DEFRA said that the future abolition of charges would only apply for DIY waste from households, and for up to four visits per four-week period, with a maximum of two 50kg rubble sacks or one large item such as a bathtub or shower screen per visit. 

Anything classified as household waste will be accepted free of charge.

Currently, Suffolk County Council charges for hardcore, rubble, soil, ceramic bathroom items, and plasterboard.  

Charges also apply to any waste arising from business and trade activity. 

A spokesperson for Suffolk County Council said on the new legislation: "In Suffolk we introduced charges in 2016 for these materials to provide better value for the taxpayer by removing the limit on what could be brought to site and only those using the service paying for it. 

"Once the government has updated the relevant legislation and announced the timescales for this policy to be implemented, the Suffolk service will comply with new requirements, but until then, it is business as usual on our sites." 

These changes complement wider action to tackle fly-tipping and waste crime, which is estimated to cost the economy £924m per year in England. 

Earlier this year, the government announced grants totalling £775,000 to help councils roll out a range of projects to crack down on fly-tipping.