Rubble and building waste in Leeds: tip limits and options
Doing building work in Leeds? Here's what the council lets you leave at the tips, and your real options for the rest, checked against Leeds City Council pages on 28 October 2026.
- Free DIY waste: 4 visits a month, with two 50-litre bags or one large item (2m by 0.75m)
- More than that: a skip, a licensed company, or a fee at Kirkstall or Seacroft
- Otley tip is not taking rubble or plasterboard at the moment
- Tarmac and asphalt are never accepted
- The council's bulky collection takes no building materials
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The free allowance
Leeds counts these as DIY waste: rubble, hardcore and soil (including bricks, concrete, paving slabs, sand, gravel and roof tiles), plasterboard and plaster, ceramics like sinks, tiles and plant pots, and tyres. Free disposal is limited to 4 visits a month per household, with either two 50-litre bags or one large item no bigger than 2m by 0.75m. Tyres: four car or four motorbike tyres. Tarmac and asphalt aren't accepted at the tips at all.
If you have more
The council says to use a skip or a licensed waste company for anything over the allowance. It also offers a paid route: the waste transfer stations at Kirkstall and Seacroft charge for extra inert waste. The council's pages don't list the prices, so ask before you go. Large-scale renovation or demolition waste isn't suitable for the tips, and the trade waste rules apply to tradespeople and landlords.
Your options
| Option | Best for | Rough cost |
|---|---|---|
| Builders' waste collection | Piles or bags of rubble, loaded for you | Often £150 to £250 for a medium load, £250 to £400 for a large one |
| Skip | Longer jobs you fill as you go | Depends on size; a permit is needed if it goes on the road |
| Grab lorry | Tonnes of soil or rubble | Around £150 for a small load up to £450 to £500 for 16 tonnes |
Because the permit scheme bans box vans and long-wheelbase vans, a typical tradesperson's vehicle can't get in anyway. See the van permit guide.
Asbestos
Old garage roofs and shed sheets might contain asbestos. Don't take it to a normal tip. Householders can book an appointment at Kirkstall. See asbestos disposal in Leeds.
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