The Association of Charity Shops has described local authorities in Essex as “disgraceful” following their continued overcharging of charity shops for waste removal.

The ACS has cited the Controlled Waste Regulations which stipulate that local authorities can only charge for the collection of waste from a charity shop, yet the Essex authorities are including extra charges for disposal of that waste. This, said the ACS, could double the waste bill for shops in some cases.

The ACS said the overcharging has continued despite letters from DEFRA to the authorities in September 2006 and October of this year, explaining that charity shop waste is classified as ‘household waste’, and is therefore not subject to disposal charges.

David Moir, head of policy and public affairs at the ACS, said: “The government and local authorities across the country agree about how the regulations apply. But, Essex County Council continue to charge for disposal. They have been promising for six months to produce a policy paper on this, but – despite DEFRA’s very clear letter – we are still no closer to getting a statement from them. In the meantime, charity shops are being fleeced. This is disgraceful.”