Disposal of large household items (bulky waste)
Questions and answers
How much will it cost?
The current charge for a standard collection is £37.00 or £30.00 if you receive at least 80% Council Tax Support. To get this concession you will need to enter your Council Tax Support reference number and upload a copy of your letter as evidence.
Why has the price increased?
The council’s fees and charges are reviewed and increased annually as part of the Councils budget setting process.
I can’t afford a collection what can I do?
Most large items such as furniture, white goods and electrical appliances can be re-used with the help of local charities or online auction, freecycle or market place sites. You can see if the item is useful to someone else first or items can be taken to the HWRC free of charge.
Can I get a refund if I no longer need the collection?
Payment is required at the time of booking and once booked, the charge is non-refundable. This includes if we have attempted to collect the items but were unable to do so because they failed to meet the criteria. If the collection date no longer suits you then the booking can be rescheduled for a later date.
Why can only one item of seating be collected per standard collection?
As a result of changes in legislation and new instruction from the Environment Agency upholstered domestic seating items must to be collected and treated differently once they become waste, to avoid the escape of ‘persistent organic pollutants’ (POPs). The costs to the Council have increased significantly in order to ensure compliance and this is reflected in the collection charge structure. For smaller items such as dining chairs and stools, up to 6 can be classed as one item.
What is upholstered domestic seating?
'Upholstered’ items includes those with any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam
‘Domestic seating’ includes any item of seating from households, for example, sofas, sofa beds, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, stools and foot stools, home office chairs, futons, bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
Why do I have to cover any damaged seating?
If the item is damaged, the tear or exposed filling must be covered and taped before we can collect the item in order to prevent the escape of ‘POPs’.
Will you collect from inside my property?
No we will not collect from inside your property, this includes the back garden, garage or shed.
When and where do I leave my items for collection?
At the time of booking you will select a collection day suitable for you and you can reschedule your collection, if needed, up to six days before the scheduled collection date.
Items must be left at the property boundary, where your waste and recycling containers are collected from, by 7.30am on the collection day. If this is at the rear of the property you must tell us the road they are to be collected from.
I want to change the items being collected, can I?
We will only collect items that are listed on the booking form. Mattresses and upholstered domestic seating cannot be changed for any other items.
If you have booked up to three qualifying items, you can change any of the three items for a different three qualifying items, up to six days before the scheduled collection date. After this time changes cannot be made.