What is bulky waste?

We have resumed the collection of fridge, freezers and other similar cooling equipment. However, we advise you to request that your supplier take your old appliance away when you order a new one.

A maximum of three fridges or freezers (no parts removed) can be requested on each collection.

The way you dispose of some seating items may have changed. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemicals found in items which can cause damage to the environment if they are not disposed of responsibly.

These are mainly a problem in upholstered domestic seating items, including:

• Sofas
• Sofa beds
• Armchairs
• Kitchen and dining room chairs
• Stools and foot stools
• Home office chairs
• Futons
• Bean bags, floor, and sofa cushions

What does this mean for you?

The new compliance procedures mean we must collect items containing POPs separately from other bulky waste items.

This means if you book a collection with us that contains one or more ‘POPs item’ (like a sofa) and a ‘non-POPs item’ (like a fridge), we will collect them at different times on the same day.

If these items are ripped or damaged, we can only collect them if any damage is sealed with tape or plastic, and covered. Otherwise, the item or items will not be collected and you will not be eligible for a refund.

Please follow the steps below to ensure your item is ready for bulky waste collection:

• Keep items from the list above separate from other bulk waste items when putting them out for collection
• Put items out for collection as close to your scheduled collection date as possible, and keep them dry
• Cover items with a waterproof cover to keep them dry. We cannot collect them if they become too wet and heavy to move
• Ensure items are kept whole, where feasible
• Declare any damaged item when booking
• Contain any damaged parts, such as rips or tears, through sealing an area with tape or bagging an item

If your items are in good condition and there are no rips, tears, or other damage to the fabric, please consider donating them to local charities.

If you are disposing of any of these items at an HWRC, items containing POPs must be disposed of separately from items that do not contain POPs. Staff at HWRCs are happy to help you when you arrive with your items.

For more information on POPs, visit Persistent Organic Pollutants in waste upholstered domestic seating.

Mattresses must be covered with a waterproof cover to keep them dry. We cannot collect them if they become too wet and heavy to move.

There are some items we are unable to collect. These include:

• Items that are too heavy for two people to move and lift safely, such as a piano or a shed
• Items that are over three metres in length
• Dangerous waste such as asbestos
• Items that are covered in mould
• Waste left in your home after building works or repairs
• Laminated floorboards or kitchen worktops
• Window frames, panes of glass, external doors, or conservatories
• Fencing, gates, greenhouses, sheds, or petrol lawn mowers
• Planks of wood
• Tyres, wheels, gas canisters, car batteries, parts or engines
• Items that still contain their batteries
• Mobility scooters
• Supermarket shopping trolleys
• Garage doors
• Commercial fridges, freezers, or cookers
• Commercial grab-bags, such as Hippo bags
• Other Hazardous waste

Before booking your bulky waste collection, you will need to know whether your items are large or standard. For the full list of items we will collect and their size classification, see What size is my Bulky Waste item?

If your item is not on either of these lists and to arrange a quote for special collection, please contact us.