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Disposal of bulky items

If you have to dispose of a bulky item like an old sofa, fridge or cooker, you have a legal duty of care to should ensure it is done safely. Otherwise it could cause accidents or harm the environment or human health. Find out your options for getting rid of large items.

Who to contact

If you are a householder, your council is obliged to provide a collection service for bulky items. However, they may charge for this service. Alternatively, you can take your appliance to your local recycling centre for recycling, recovery or disposal free-of-charge. Help your local authority by ensuring that any applicances or bulky items are emptied and / or cleaned if appropriate before you send it for disposal.

If you pass any waste onto someone else, your are duty bound to ensure that they are authorised to take it. This means that they must be either a council or are council employed, or, a properly licenced private waste operator or are registered as a waste carrier. If local traders offer to collect and dispose of your appliance, you must check that they intend to dispose of it in accordance with the law.

In some areas, local traders or charities may accept appliances if they are in good working order - again check your local telephone directory for details. Remember fly-tipping is illegal. Dumped refrigerators and freezers pose a real hazard to small children or pets who may be harmed or become trapped inside.

Report waste crime

Dumping or burning waste where it's not allowed, or allowing others to do so, is a criminal offence. You can find out more about waste crime and how you can report it in the following link:

More useful links