On 11 February 2026, the Cabinet Panel approved plans to introduce a new E-pass system and enhance options on how waste generated from DIY is managed at Recycling Centres across the county.

With access restrictions already in place in many neighbouring local authority areas and with rising service costs, these changes will prioritise access for residents, strengthen controls to prevent misuse, and provide an improved option to pay for disposal of DIY waste.

The plans are set to be implemented gradually from spring 2026 when residents will need to apply for an E‑pass to access the centres. The process will be quick to register and there would be no need for residents to book a specific day or time of arrival like in some other areas. Updated DIY waste arrangements will allow residents to pay for any material above the ‘free’ legal limits, rather than being refused access at the centres.

The feedback gathered through consultation on these proposals showed strong positive support from 67% of residents for the E-pass and 65% of residents positively supported a new option to pay for excess DIY waste, instead of refusing to accept the material.

Cllr Paul Zukowskyj, Executive Member for Environment, Transport and Growth at Hertfordshire County Council, said:
‘The plans were agreed yesterday as part of the Council’s wider programme to manage rising service pressures across the Recycling Centre network which has been receiving more waste, more visits, and an increase in operating costs each year. We know how important the service is to residents and, back in the summer of last year, we scrapped proposals to introduce a booking system and reduce the days of operation at four of our centres. The plans approved yesterday were options that residents supported as part of a public consultation we ran last year and will provide better controls on waste that should not be entering our Recycling Centres, meaning we can prioritise use by Hertfordshire residents. We’re also providing an improved offer for residents who need to dispose of waste from DIY work at their homes by allowing them to pay a small charge, rather than turning away quantities that are higher than the current lawful limits. We believe that these changes will improve the customer experience for Hertfordshire residents as well as helping contribute to the wider council savings required.’

Further communication to ensure residents understand what the E‑pass is, how to register, and what the updated DIY waste policy means will be provided as part of the phased roll out from the spring.

Hertfordshire County Council

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