The Churches’ Legislation Advisory Service have updated their guidance on waste collection for churches and under what circumstances charges may apply.
In short, waste from places of religious worship is regarded as domestic waste, and authorities with waste collection duties must collect it and may not charge for its collection or disposal. This provision also applies to buildings used in connection with the conduct of public religious worship— such as an office or church hall. However, if a church hires out these buildings to other groups not connected with the conduct of religious worship, that would be regarded as a commercial activity and any waste arising from such use would be commercial waste— for which a charge for both collection and disposal can be made.
Many PCCs make it a condition of hiring the facilities that the hirer is responsible for removing any waste associated with their event or activity, reducing the likelihood that such charges could be incurred.
Legal references: Paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the Controlled Waste Regulations 2012, paragraph 11 of Schedule 5 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and paragraph 11(1)(b) and (2) of Schedule 5 to the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
[Source: CLAS— 2 December 2024]