Introduction

We provide free assisted and clinical collections for those who qualify. Bulky waste items can be disposed of through a charged for collection service.

Assisted collections

If you have mobility difficulties or an impairment that means you cannot carry containers to the kerbside, and there is no one in your household who can help you, we can arrange an assisted waste collection. There is no cost for this service.

Containers are collected from an agreed location outside your property, emptied and returned.

Assisted collections are reviewed periodically. However, if you no longer need an assisted waste collection you must inform us using the My Waste Services feature as soon as you would like it to stop.

Clinical collections

A free regular clinical waste collection is available for private households.

Clinical waste is any item which can cause infection or maybe hazardous to health. For this reason it needs to be disposed of separately.

Clinical waste may include:

• sharps – needles and syringes
• swabs and dressings
• empty insulin cartridges
• dialysis products
• infectious swabs or dressings

Absorbent hygiene products such as incontinence pads or sheets and colostomy bags should be double-bagged and placed into your wheeled bin.

Low Grade Waste does not require a clinical collection. All Low Grade Waste can be disposed of in your household waste.

Low grade waste includes:

• empty bedpans
• incontinence pads
• empty stoma bags
• empty urine containers
• non-infectious swabs or dressings
• other waste classed as non-infectious

Please double-bag before putting in your black sack.

We cannot collect clinical waste from businesses. Businesses need to make their own arrangements. We suggest check local directories and or our list of commercial providers.

Bulky waste collections

We can arrange for the collection of large bulky items such as furniture or domestic appliances, such as:

• Sofas and armchairs
• Tables
• Chairs
• Mattresses
• Bed frames
• White goods (for example, fridges and freezers)
• Doors (wood only)

Items can only be collected if two people are able to lift them.

Until 31 March 2025, the charge for collecting up to three bulky items is £73.40, and an extra £18.40 for each additional item. There is a maximum limit of five items per collection.

We may not be able to collect unusual items, for example old fuel tanks. Please talk to us on 0300 123 2224 before making an online booking for unusual bulky waste.

Are any of the items reusable?

We are working in partnership with British Heart Foundation to reuse bulky waste items where possible, so we now ask residents to confirm if they believe the item/s they are booking for collection are reusable.

For an item to be classed as reusable, it must meet the below conditions. Please check your items before selecting if an item is reusable.

All items:

• In good working condition
• Not damaged

Upholstered items:

• Upholstered items are items that have cushioning, padding or a fabric covering. For example: sofas, armchairs, kitchen and dining room chairs, foot stools, home office chairs, bean bags, floor and sofa cushions. This includes any part made of or containing leather, synthetic leather, other fabric, or foam.
• All items must have a fire label attached (this is a legal requirement). Please visit British Heart Foundation online for more information on fire labels.
• In good working condition
• Not damaged: free of rips, stains or any other obvious damage

See our Reuse information for details of how to donate items directly to local reuse groups who may be able to collect them from you.

Another option is to use an online marketplace for the collection of bulky waste, furniture and appliances. LoveJunk matches you to nearby licensed waste carriers and also reuse charities and is free to use.

Many large and bulky items, such as mattresses, furniture and white goods, can be taken to all recycling sites at no cost.

Some items may be charged for, see charging details here.

If you pay someone else to take away your bulky waste, whether a ‘man-with-a-van’ or a tradesperson, make sure they have a waste carrier’s licence and ask them where your waste will go. Otherwise you may be contributing to fly-tipping.

Check they are registered as a ‘waste carrier, broker or dealer’ with the Environment Agency online or by phoning 03708 506 506.

Information on how to to fight fly-tipping.

Unwanted mobility and occupational therapy equipment

If you have equipment which was loaned to you for a social need and which you did not purchase privately, please read our page Equipment to help you. You will find more information about returning loaned equipment to Medequip.

You can also get in touch with the Adult Services Customer Contact Team on 0300 123 2224 for advice on your nearest drop-off point for unwanted, loaned – but not privately purchased – mobility and occupational therapy equipment.

For recycling options for stairlifts or mobility scooters, contact Stairlift and Mobility Recycling or phone 01535 612167.

Price changes from 1 April 2025