Bulky waste charges FAQs

The purpose of this webpage is to answer any questions there might be regarding the charges for bulky waste collections starting on October 7, 2019.

What do I have to pay?

To help cover the cost of arranging the collections there is a £25 charge for each three items. For example: up to three items = £25, up to 6 items = £50, up to 9 items = £75. Maximum number of items per order is nine.

Please note: a three-piece suite will count as three items, as will furniture that comes in several parts such as corner sofas or bed, headboard and mattress these will also be counted as individual items.

There are no concessions available and no refunds are issued however in cases of exceptional hardship the charges can be waived. Read the full Terms and Conditions.

Why do I have to pay?

As local government funding becomes increasingly challenging we must look at new ways to fund frontline services. Nearly every other authority in the country charges for bulky waste collections and to ensure we can keep delivering a high-quality service we feel the time is right to introduce a reasonable charge.

I pay my Council Tax, why do I have to pay for this service?

The collection of domestic waste is governed by the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Controlled Waste regulations 1992. Under regulation 4 of the Controlled Waste Regulations, the Council can charge for the collection of certain materials which include:

• Any article of waste which exceeds 25 kilograms in weight.
• Any article of waste which does not fit, or cannot be fitted into: a receptacle for household waste provided in accordance with section 46; or where no such receptacle is provided, a cylindrical container 750 millimetres in diameter and 1 metre in length.

Are you making a profit by charging?

The Council will not make any profit from the charges – all the money received will go to fund the service being provided.

The current bulky waste service costs around £105,000 to operate and introducing the charge will generate around £60,000 a year.

Can I complain or appeal against the charging for collection of unwanted items?

No, as the decision to charge for the service and policy change was democratically made we cannot accept any complaints or appeals. We will only accept formal complaints if the service has failed to implement the agreed policy correctly.

What if I can’t afford it?

If you genuinely cannot afford to pay the charge, the Council may be able to waive the charge under its Exceptional Hardship Criteria. The charge will only be waived in exceptional cases and you will be expected to provide documentation to support your application.