Bulky Waste Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the bulky waste collection service?
- How do I order a bulky waste collection?
- Is the bulky waste collection service free of charge?
- Are there any situations where a free collection would not be allowed?
- What sort of items does the bulky waste service collect?
- Can I recycle any household items, instead of using the bulky waste collection service?
- How can I get rid of my unwanted computer equipment? Can the bulky waste service collect it?
- How many household items can you take in one collection?
- Are there any items that the bulky waste collection service does not collect? Repeat of previous ‘Are there any situations where a free collection would not be allowed?’
- I have an old wardrobe that is really heavy – will the bulky waste service collect it?
- How quickly can I get my items collected?
- Can I book a specific appointment time?
- Where and when should I leave my items for collection?
- My property’s entrance is hidden from the street/you can only access my property with a gerda key. Can I leave special instructions for the bulky waste service, so that they can find the items I have left out?
- I cannot carry the items I want collected out to the street. Will the bulky waste service collect them from inside my property?
- How do you make sure that you have collected the right items?
- What happens if I order a collection and forget to leave the items out?
- Why weren’t the items I left out collected?
- What happens to the items you collect?
What is the bulky waste collection service?
The bulky waste collection service collects household items that you no longer want.
How do I order a bulky waste collection?
You can order a bulky waste collection online or over the phone, by calling the Hackney Contact Centre on 020 8356 6688.
Is the bulky waste collection service free of charge?
Yes, each residential property in Hackney is entitled to receive up to 4 free collections per year (1 April – 31 March).
Are there any situations where a free collection would not be allowed?
Yes, you will not be able to use the bulky waste collection service if:
- If you are a commercial business, a tradesman or a landlord
- You are carrying out a refurbishment or building project
- You are clearing a garden, or pruning trees or shrubs
- You want to get rid of hazardous waste
- You want to get rid of a lot of waste
- Your property has already received more than four collections in a year
Please contact the Hackney Commercial Waste Service on 020 8356 6683.
What sort of items does the bulky waste service collect?
The service will collect any household item that you would normally take when you move, such as chairs, tables, refrigerators, desks, beds and sofas.
The service will also collect single items from bathrooms (e.g. a bath or a sink) and kitchens (e.g. a cooker, or a cupboard).
Can I recycle any household items, instead of using the bulky waste collection service?
Yes. There are organisations that will collect and re-use a range of good quality furniture, including wardrobes, display units, chests of drawers, three- piece suites and double beds. Here are two organisations you can contact:
How can I get rid of my unwanted computer equipment? Can the bulky waste service collect it?
The bulky waste service cannot collect computer equipment – but there are organisations that recycle computers. Here are two organisations you can contact:
How many household items can you take in one collection?
You can order up to 5 items per collection.
Are there any items that the bulky waste collection service does not collect? Repeat of previous ‘Are there any situations where a free collection would not be allowed?’
Yes, the service does not usually collect items that come from building work or from re-furbishing your property. Your builder is responsible for taking these items away. Examples of items that the service does not collect includes:
- Old kitchen units
- Bathroom suites
- Flooring
- Tiles
- Garden waste
- Fencing
- Brick rubble or other builders’ waste.
The service does not collect hazardous waste. Please contact the Corporation of London Hazardous Waste service on 020 7332 3433, or the Hackney Commercial Waste Service 028 8356 6683, to organise for hazardous waste to be collected.
I have an old wardrobe that is really heavy – will the bulky waste service collect it?
Yes, but please tell us that this item is very heavy when you book the collection with us.
How quickly can I get my items collected?
If you book a collection by 2pm from Monday to Friday, the service should be able to collect your items within 24 hours. If you book a collection after 2pm from Monday to Friday, your items should be collected within 48 hours after. The bulky waste service does not operate at weekends.
Can I book a specific appointment time?
No, but you can book a specific day. Book a bulky waste collection online.
Where and when should I leave my items for collection?
You need to make sure that all the items you want the bulky waste service to collect are put out by 7am on the day of collection. You should leave your items at street level.
- If you have a garden or yard, please leave your items there, making sure that the service can get in to collect the items.
- If your property fronts straight onto the street and you do not have a garden or yard, you can leave the items on the street N.B. please do not put out items on the street any earlier than the night before your collection date.
If you live on an estate, you can leave your items in the communal storage area or bin chamber of your estate.
My property’s entrance is hidden from the street/you can only access my property with a gerda key. Can I leave special instructions for the bulky waste service, so that they can find the items I have left out?
Yes, when you order your collection, you will be asked whether you want to provide the bulky waste service with any special instructions to help them find and collect the correct items. This should include information about any special access arrangements (e.g. gerda keys, swipe cards etc).
I cannot carry the items I want collected out to the street. Will the bulky waste service collect them from inside my property?
If you are an old age pensioner, or you are registered disabled, you can request an ‘assisted collection’, which is where the bulky waste service collect the items from within your property. You can book an assisted bulky waste collection online.
How do you make sure that you have collected the right items?
When you book a collection, you will be asked to provide some information about each item that you want collected and this will be passed to the collection crew.
What happens if I order a collection and forget to leave the items out?
If we visit your property, but there are no items for us to collect, this will still count towards the maximum of 4 collections per year and you will still need to book another collection. Book a bulky waste collection online.
Why weren’t the items I left out collected?
There could be several reasons for this, such as:
- The bulky waste service couldn’t find your items.
- The bulky waste service couldn’t access the area where you left your items for collection.
- You missed off some items when you ordered the collection.
If the bulky waste service cannot make a collection, they will normally put a card through your letterbox to explain why. Your request is then handed to the Waste Operations Administration Team, who will reschedule your collection with you. In some cases, you may be asked to call the Hackney Contact Centre on 020 8356 6688, to discuss your collection.
What happens to the items you collect?
The bulky waste service takes all the items it collects to the Waste Transfer Station (WTS) at Milfields Refuse Depot. Here the items are sorted and any that are suitable for recycling are separated and placed in recycling containers. This waste is then sent to North London Waste Authority (NLWA) or other specialist contractors for recycling. Electrical items are dealt with under the Waste Electircal and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations.
Page updated: 30 Nov 2009