Businesses will be able to dispose of waste at a recycling centre as part of a trial scheme.

Essex County Council (ECC) will be allowing trade waste to be disposed of at the centre in Springwood Drive, Braintree, from today until April 11.

Use of recycling centres is normally limited to household waste only, but businesses will be able to use the Braintree site on a ‘pay as you throw’ basis.

The trial is also being carried out at a centre in Saffron Walden.

Roger Walters, ECC cabinet member for waste and recycling, said: “The purpose of this pilot scheme is to determine whether there is demand for trade waste facilities at our recycling centres, which would be of value to local businesses while removing the costs to the county council for disposing of commercial waste.

“We hope that as many local traders as possible take advantage of this trial, and we would appreciate their feedback on the scheme.”

Traders will be charged based on the size of their vehicle and the type of waste they wish to dispose of.

If the trial is successful, the scheme will be implemented countywide.

For more information, visit essex.gov.uk/recyclingcentres