Collection of large or bulky items
We provide two options for getting large or bulky items removed if you aren’t able to take your waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre:
- A free service to those that qualify for the free scheme ‘Assisted Bulky Collections’
- A great value charged service for those who do not ‘Paid Bulky Collections’
Details on both are set out below.
Free Assisted Bulky Collections
We provide a free collection for bulky items to residents if the person making the request does not have an able-bodied person living with them, and is: disabled, eligible for state pension, unable to move the items themselves or in receipt of a means tested benefit.
If you are eligible for a free collection, please call 01522 873 423 where we will confirm the collection details with you.
All items must be placed kerbside before 6.30am on the day of collection. If you are unable to put it kerbside, it must be on the boundary of your property and boundary of the public highway or footpath, and you must notify us of this. We will not collect items from inside a person’s domestic property, and we will only collect the items that are requested upon making the booking, if the items change you must notify us 48 hours before your booked collection.
If you wish to cancel your collection, please let us know as soon as possible. We collect items every Wednesday. You should allow for up to four weeks for collection, though normally we can collect sooner. You will be advised of when your collection will take place when you book. Three items can be collected at one time, and you can make one request in any three-month period.
Examples of items that can be collected include any general household furniture such as sofas, chest of drawers, wardrobes, chairs, beds, mattresses, carpets, tables, bookcases, shelves etc. As well as any electrical items, for example: washing machines, tumble dryers, cookers.
Items that cannot be collected include fridges, freezers, paint, gas cylinders, asbestos, wood, pianos, paving slabs and any DIY items such as doors, glass, baths, toilets, washbasins, windows etc.
If you have WEEE or POPs items (please see bottom of page), they will be collected by a separate vehicle but on the same day, so please expect more than one visit.
Paid Bulky Collections
Collections are on Saturdays. You will be given the date of the next available collection when you book. You will need to leave your items at the edge of your property on the morning of collection, by not later than 7am.
A points system is used to determine how much you will pay. The points are relative to the number and size of items to be collected, which you will see when you click to book.
A minimum charge of £35.50 applies and covers items worth up to a total of 6 points. Each additional point after that will be charged at £4.65 per point.
If you have WEEE or POPs items (please see bottom of page), they will be collected by a separate vehicle but on the same day, so please expect more than one visit.
Please note that, to ensure a cost-efficiency, this service operates on a minimum number of collections per week. If that number isn’t reached, we may have to rearrange your collection. We will be in touch on the previous Friday (the day before collection) if that is the case.
Other options
If you do not wish to pay for a collection, and aren’t eligible for the free service, you can take large and bulky items yourself to the Household Waste Site at Great Northern Terrace, where there is no charge for disposal.
We do not collect fridges and freezers under the Assisted Bulky Collections service, if you simply have a single fridge or freezer to be removed and do not wish to use the paid service described above, it might be lower cost to call 01522 533488. Biffa make a £20 charge and there may be a waiting list.
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) guidance
Due to regulations, the Council is required to collect separately any Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) or any material that might contain Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).
For WEEE, this is any electrical items, for example: washing machines, tumble dryers, cookers, etc.
For POPs this includes, but is not limited to: sofas, armchairs, kitchen and dining chairs (if upholstered), stools and foot stools (if upholstered), office chairs, futons, bean bags, floor and sofa cushions.