Bulky and special
Bulky waste collection: how it works and what it costs
Anything too big for your wheelie bin, from a sofa to a washing machine, is bulky waste. You have four main options: book a council collection, take it to the tip, pass it on for reuse, or ask the retailer to take it away when you buy a new one.
Council bulky waste collections
Every council in the UK offers some kind of bulky waste collection, sometimes called a special collection or, in Scotland, a special uplift. You usually:
- Book online or by phone, listing every item.
- Pay when you book. Prices are set locally.
- Put the items out on the morning of collection, somewhere the crew can reach without coming into your home.
Use our postcode lookup to find your council’s website, then search for “bulky waste”.
What they usually take
- Sofas and armchairs, beds and mattresses
- Wardrobes, tables and other furniture
- Fridges and freezers, washing machines and cookers
- Bikes, garden furniture and carpets (rolled and tied)
What they usually refuse
- Building rubble, soil, plasterboard and bathroom suites
- Car parts and tyres
- Items too heavy for two people to lift
- Anything not listed on your booking
Upholstered furniture
Sofas, armchairs and other upholstered seating can contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from older flame retardants. In England and Wales these items have to be incinerated rather than sent to landfill or broken down for reuse in the normal way. In practice this means some councils collect them separately or charge differently, so tell the council exactly what you are booking.
Cheaper or free options
- The tip. Most household waste recycling centres accept furniture and white goods free of charge from residents. Some need a booking, and vans or trailers may need a permit. See our guide to the tip.
- Retailer take-back. Shops that sell electrical items have to offer to take back an old appliance of the same type when you buy a new one. Many charge for collecting from your home, but it is often cheaper than a council booking. Many mattress and furniture sellers offer a paid take-away service too.
- Reuse. Furniture reuse charities, community groups and online giveaway sites can take good items. Many charities need fire safety labels on upholstered furniture.
Avoid fly-tipping fines
If you pay someone to take your rubbish, check they are a registered waste carrier. In England you can search the Environment Agency’s public register. If your rubbish is found dumped, you can be fined as well as the person who dumped it. Ask for a receipt that shows where the waste is going.