Bulky item collections service
We provide a service for residents to get rid of bulky items, such as old furniture, to discourage careless dumping on the streets. We make over 13,000 collections each year. There is a minimum charge of £14 for this service (see full list of prices).
This service is provided for you if you live in the borough and is for your household rubbish. It is not available to businesses, property managers, landlords or other producers of commercial waste.
We will provide a collection for:
Call (020) 8871 8558 or email wasteservices@wandsworth.gov.uk to book a collection. Please note that online booking for this service will soon be available.
We do not collect:
- Anything that cannot be lifted by two people
- Bricks, soil or rubble
- Contractors rubbish (i.e. rubbish produced by a workman, such as boilers)
- Garden soil or stones
- Car batteries, engines or other car parts
- Bulky waste from businesses
Rubbish too big or too heavy for your bin
We will collect household items like furniture, fridges, freezers, mattresses and extra bags of rubbish. Charges start at £14 for four items, additional items will be charged at £5 each for collection from outside the front of your property.
Note that three standard sized sacks count as just one item.
Additional charges apply for collections from inside your property, where we will agree a time for collection:
- £62 for collection from the ground floor
- £74 for collection from the first floor or above
If you are a resident who is disabled or elderly and you live alone you do not have to pay the extra charges for collection from inside your property.
Fridges and freezers that are collected will have any harmful gases (CFCs) removed and are recycled along with other metal goods e.g. washing machines.
Collection of waste from home improvement works/DIY
A different set of charges apply for rubbish produced by home improvements/DIY work, for example, kitchen or bathroom units. We can now collect these items but higher charges apply:
- £3 per sack (maximum 25Kg)
- £11 per larger item
There is a minimum charge for this service of £53
Please note: We collect residents' rubbish only. We will not collect rubbish produced by contractors, fitters, etc.
Garden waste
As of 26th March 2007, garden waste is now collected by arrangement only, in special compostable sacks available from us. The cost for this service will be £17 for one collection of up to 20 sacks. Get more information on garden waste collection.
The most environmentally friendly way to deal with garden waste is to compost it at home. More information about home composting
Asbestos and chemicals
For a collection of household hazardous waste (e.g. asbestos, paint and household chemicals) contact the City of London on (020) 7332 3433. Get more information.
Summary of charges
| Bulky item collection service |
Minimum charge (up to four items) |
£14 |
| |
Each additional item |
£5 |
| DIY waste |
Minimum charge |
£53 |
| |
Cost per sack |
£3 |
| |
Cost per larger DIY item |
£11 |
| Additional charge for collection from inside the property* |
Ground floor |
£62 |
| |
Other floors |
£74 |
| Hazardous waste collection |
Contact The City Of London (020) 7332 3433. More information |
Free collection of limited quantities |
* Additional charges for collection from inside the property will be waived if you are elderly or disabled and live alone.
Other ways of disposing of bulky items
Bulky items can also be taken to your nearest civic amenity site. If you are going to do this in a van or other commercial vehicle you must get prior authorisation at www.wrwa.gov.uk or by calling (020) 8871 8558.
Do not pay the refuse collectors to take away extra rubbish. The collectors have no authority to take money and can be dismissed or prosecuted if they do so. You are also liable to prosecution.
If you use 'a man with van' to take away your rubbish you must check that he is a registered waste carrier. Ask for, and record, the number. If you are not sure, call the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060. You can be prosecuted for using a non-registered carrier - if they fly-tip your waste you could be held responsible.
Some private companies offer collections of a range of items and try to recycle what they can. Visit www.anyjunk.co.uk or www.weclearjunk.com for more information.
Can any of your unwanted items be reused or recycled?
Most charity shops will accept unwanted items of furniture in good condition. Not all shops will accept electrical goods.
Wandsworth Oasis, the Salvation Army and the British Heart Foundation generally do accept working electrical goods as they are able to test them for safety before resale. Furniture with soft fittings will only be acceptable if it has a fire safety label.
- The British Heart Foundation furniture and electrical stores offer free collections. Phone 0844 412 5000.
- Furniture Aid South Thames - supply affordable second hand furniture and white goods to vunerable members of the community and will collect donations for free. Phone (020) 7793 7787.
- Hounslow Furniture Recycling Project. Call (020) 8814 2225.
Or, advertise your unwanted items for free on local websites such as:
You might even find something you do want instead, for free!
More ideas about reusing and recycling household items |
