Council Hikes Charges for Bulky Waste Collection
With councils facing increasing budget pressures, many local authorities have introduced additional charges for bulky council waste collections. Currently, only 15 councils in England offer free bulky waste collections. This service helps you dispose of large household items that cannot be disposed of through regular domestic waste collections. Proper waste disposal is crucial, as fly-tipping is a criminal offence punishable by fines of up to £50,000 or 12 months’ imprisonment. If convicted in a Crown Court, the penalty can be an unlimited fine and up to five years imprisonment. To avoid these repercussions, here’s an overview of what you can expect to pay for proper bulky waste disposal in your local area.
Enfield Council Waste Collection
The council provides a free collection of furniture and other non-electrical bulky items, depending on your postcode. If you prefer to choose a specific collection day, there is an additional fee of £19. You can schedule the removal of up to 6 items per collection.
For the removal of electrical items, there is a fee:
£54 for 1 item
£60 for 2 items
£66 for 3 items
Tower Hamlets Council Waste Collection
Each household is entitled to two free collections per calendar year, with up to five items collected per visit. Items must be manageable by two people and should be no longer than 2 meters. For any additional collections beyond the two free ones, you will need to arrange a licensed waste carrier at your own expense. This service is exclusively for Tower Hamlets residents and unavailable for business or commercial use.
Items eligible for collection include:
Appliances such as fridges and freezers
Bikes
Small electrical appliances such as TV, computers and lamps
Haringey Council Waste Collection
Household items can be collected for a fee. Eligible items for collection include:
Beds and bed frames
Bookcases
Computers and monitors
Freezers
Ovens
Below outlines the bulky item collection cost:
Number of items
Cost
1-4 items £20
5 items £30
6 items £40
7 items £50
8 items £60
9 items £70
10 (maximum) £80
Hackney Council Waste Collection
Hackney Council provides a collection service for large items from Monday to Friday. Booking a bulky waste collection typically incurs a fee. Legislation requires that all bulky waste containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs)—chemical substances that do not break down in the environment—must be collected separately from other items.
Examples of large household items which may contain POPs:
Sofas
Pushchairs
Electronic waste
Charges for these collections are outlined below:
Number of non-POP items to be collected
Total price
1 to 5 items – £21.35
6 to 10 items – £42.70
Number of POP items to be collected:
Total price
1 to 5 items – £21.35
6 to 10 items – £42.70
Barking and Dagenham Council Waste Collection
Most residents need to pay a fee for bulky waste collections. A standard collection, which includes up to 4 items, costs £35. You can add up to 4 extra items for an additional £7.50 each.
Examples of items that can be collected:
Bed base
Oven
Dishwasher
Carpet
Cabinets
Examples of items that cannot be collected:
Tyres
Chemicals
Rubble or soil
Sheds
Pallets
You must place your bulky waste items for collection within the front boundary of your property (where you put your usual weekly waste) before 6 a.m. on the day of collection. Items cannot be removed from back gardens or service alleys.
Havering Council Waste Collection
Havering provides a collection service for large items with a maximum height or length of 6 feet. Eligible items for collection include:
Furniture
Carpets/underlay
Garden furniture
Doors
Bathroom fittings
The costs are highlighted below:
For 1 to 3 items the cost is £66
For every additional item the cost is £17
Once your collection has been booked and paid for, your items should be left on the boundary of your property by 7 am on the arranged collection day.
Redbridge Council Waste Collection
All residents are entitled to one free collection per year, with a limit of 3 items per collection. Additional items will incur a charge of £14.20 each, with a maximum of 3 extra items allowed per booking. Please note that free collections do not apply to:
Commercial premises
Business premises
Builder’s waste removal
On the collection day, ensure that your items are placed in clear view in your front garden or, if you live in a flat, in the communal bin area.
Away With It offers a cost-effective alternative for items that councils do not collect. We provide a same-day collection service with no limit on the number of items, and we handle all the heavy lifting for you.
To book your collection, call us today at 0208 504 7390.
Council Waste Collection – FAQ
Can I leave old furniture on the street in the UK?
No, you should not leave old furniture on the street in the UK. Doing so can result in fines or legal action, as it may be considered fly-tipping, which is illegal. Instead, arrange for proper disposal through your local council’s collection service or hire a licensed waste carrier.
What can I do with useless furniture?
Donate: If the furniture is in decent condition, consider donating it to charities or organisations that accept furniture.
Sell: You can sell it through online marketplaces, car boot sales or local ads.
Recycle: Check if your local council offers bulky waste collection services for recycling.
Repurpose: Get creative and repurpose or upcycle the furniture into something new.
Dispose: If none of the above options work, arrange for a professional waste disposal service to handle the removal.
Useless furniture can be donated, sold, recycled, repurposed or disposed of through professional services.
Who will pick up my furniture for free in the UK?
In the UK, local councils often provide free furniture collection services, but availability varies by area. Typically, councils offer one or two free collections per year, with limits on the number of items and specific conditions. Some charities and organisations also offer free collection services for donated furniture, though this may depend on the condition of the items and their specific policies. For exact details and eligibility, check with your local council or charity organisation.
You can arrange for collection of large items with the Council but you will now pay a charge based on a points system, for example, a set of metal garden furniture is 6 points, a double wardrobe 2 points and a 3-seater settee 3 points. The service is free for residents who are in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance, are disabled or over the age of 60. The Council will not undertake house clearances or removal of builder’s waste.
Remember that for items, Councils will not collect Away With It provides a cost-effective alternative. We offer a same-day collection service, the number of items for collection is unlimited, and we do all the heavy lifting for you.
