Bulky Waste Collection for Mattresses, Sofas and Furniture

Think of anything large, awkward or heavy that the household bins and a car boot cannot cope with. Furniture disposal is the most common request, followed closely by mattress removal, because a mattress is floppy, heavy and hard to carry alone. Junk removal from a spare room or garage often falls into the same visit when a few big pieces sit alongside smaller clutter.

Fridge removal is a little different from other furniture. Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases and insulation that have to go to a facility able to treat them, so they cannot simply be mixed in with general waste. Mention any fridge, freezer or large appliance when you describe the job, and we will confirm whether it can be included and how it will be handled before anything is booked.

Your local council will usually offer its own bulky waste collection. It is often the lowest cost route, but councils normally ask for items to be left outside or at the kerb, limit the number of pieces per booking and run collections on set days. Some councils charge for every collection, some include a small allowance, and the rules vary from one area to the next.

A private bulky waste removal suits people who cannot lift heavy items out of the house, need several pieces gone at once, or want to choose the day. The trade off is that you pay for the labour and the van as well as the disposal. Neither option is right for everyone, and it is worth checking your council's terms before you book anyone.

Clear a route from each item to the door so nobody has to move a bike or a stack of boxes on the way out. If a wardrobe is wedged in an alcove, empty it first; a full one is far heavier and can split as it is lifted. Mattresses should be dry, because a wet mattress is much heavier and harder to recycle.

If something might be worth selling or giving away, decide before the day. Items in good condition are set aside for reuse where possible, but the choice of what goes is always yours.