Tel:0161 766 3330
Open Mon-Fri 9.30am-3.30pm
What is Bulky Waste?
We aren't talking about your partner slobbing away on the sofa eating all the snacks...we are talking about the other kind of bulky waste!
Whenever there is a property clear out, moving homeowners or businesses renovating, bulky waste is created.
Bulky waste is exactly what it means, bulky items that are far too big to fit in your household bin and cannot be reused or recycled...this could be anything from household items such as Fridges, Mattresses, TVs, Tables, Sofas and other soft furnishings, all the way to office equipment like swivel chairs and desks.
But, how do you dispose of bulky waste items?
In this blog we will be covering all things bulky. How to dispose of those awkward bulky items & the best, different options for you when you choose it is time to get rid of bulky waste....
Let's skip right to it!
If you find yourself sat on old bulky furniture and other large items that you need to dispose of, what is the best way to get rid of them?
There are a number of options that are available to household and businesses across the UK...have a browse below and pick the best option that suits your current waste needs.
Every local council should and most likely will offer a bulky waste collection service. These are mainly for large bulky items such as Sofas, Fridges, Wardrobes etc.
These collections aren't for free though, there is a fee to be paid for them to come and collect.
Another sticking point with this service is that, as it is the council and not a private waste business, it can take up-to 2-3 weeks for the council to collect your waste, which can cause a problem if you need a fast turnaround or are sick of the sight of your old large waste items stacking up outside,
You can check whether your local council offers bulky waste collection here: https://www.gov.uk/collection-large-waste-items
Picture your local tip.
These tips and recycling centres are only available for households. This means that traders and businesses cannot take commercial waste to be tipped there.
Private waste collectors like ourselves offer a wide number of waste related collections from Bulky waste & Bin Collections all the way to Specialised Hazardous Waste collection.
We at Busy Bins pride ourselves on our service and carbon footprint. You will find that most private waste collectors really focus their energy on providing the best possible service for their customer.
Private waste collectors can be a convenient option for individuals or businesses with large amounts of waste or specific disposal requirements for specific waste needs.
We don't like to brag, but we always make sure that all waste collected is taken to a waste to energy facility where it is transferred into energy.
We would recommend using these companies for one off collections, office renovations, or household clear-outs, but of course, we are biased!!
Charities such as Oxfam, Shelter, British Heart Foundation & Salvation Army...are great places to donate any old bulky items. It is crucial to check that your old item still has a fire label attached to it, otherwise the charity cannot collect this.
Fire labels certify that the item you are donating meets safety standards. You will find these labels on items such as furniture, mattresses and electrical equipment.
If your items are still in working order and you are trying to stay as sustainable as possible or just want a bit of quick cash, wonga or reddies...why not look to sell or donate your old items.
There are plenty of sites out there which offer you the chance to sell or donate. Here are some of the most popular:
FB Marketplace: Zuckerberg has a hold on us, and your old items may be no different. Place these for sale for cheap cheap or advertise for free locally around Greater Manchester or your area to someone who needs it.
Freecycle: These are a not for profit organisation that encourages neighbours, friends and communities to share items with each other for free. This is great way of sharing unwanted items, whilst knowing they are going to good home.
Freegle: Another similar concept to Freecycle, This platform also allows users to offer items out that they no longer have a need for. Users can post listings for items they wish to give away or search for items they need, fostering a culture of sharing.
Ebay/Gumtree: We all know what Ebay is, but if you don't...it is basically a platform with which you can buy and sell goods freely. Ebay do take a small fee for every purchase.
Shpock: The same as Ebay. You can place your items online for sale or purchase products. Fun fact, Shpock stands for Shop In Your Pocket. Don't say we never teach you anything!
You will see them dotted across towns and cities, safely storing heaps of waste at a time, Skip hire is very popular. It's popular because it's easy and it keeps things tidy.
Skips are ideal if you need to arrange a bulky waste collection for a large amount of various bulky items. They are the go to renovations and clear outs. From a full size house clear out right down to a small bathroom renovation.
Just like us, skips come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with each skip being ideal for different sized projects. The most common skip sizes are:
Mini Skip 2-3 yards: Estimated cost to hire: £70 - £130.
Midi Skip - 4-6 yards: Estimated cost to hire: £180 - £220.
Builder's skip 8-10 yards: Estimated cost to hire: £290 - £350.
Maxi Skip 12 yards - Estimated cost to hire: £350 - £550.
A cheaper, but smaller alternative to skip hire. These are ideal if space is limited & you are having a smaller clear out, or have some bricks that need removing from upgrading your garden wall.
They are very similar to hiring a skip, in that the waste management company will come and pickup the skip bag once you inform them that it has been filled.
Skip bags can usually hold the following:
Small Skip Bag: 2 washing machines worth of large waste.
Medium Skip Bag: 3 washing machines worth of household bulky waste.
Large Skip Bag: 9-10 washing machines of bulky household waste.
Manufacturers such as Sony, Currys etc offer take-back programs for their products, allowing you to return your items for recycling.
For example, when buying a new appliance, such as a refrigerator or washing machine, the retailer may offer to take back your old appliance for recycling or disposal. By participating in retailer take-back schemes, you can ensure that your bulky items are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner.
Your Options
Local Tip
Council Collection
Private Waste Collection
Skip Hire
You don't have to sleep on the answer to this one. It is a resounding YES!
Any of your local tips & recycling centres, would be happy to take in your old, worn out mattresses.
Don't worry about those stains, nobody is judging you!
The experts recommend changing your mattress every 7-10 years!
This also all depends on the quality of your mattress to start with.
If it's an air mattress, please reevaluate your life. They aren't real beds.
Again, this should last around 7-10 years. You will start to notice a mattress is on it's way out, if you can start feeling the springs more (We don't mean anything rude by that as well, so you can relax)
If it is an air mattress it will approximately last 3 hours and 50 mins before you need to wake the neighbours up pumping it up at 4am in the morning.
Many mattresses are recyclable & local councils provide places and centres where these can be taken to be recycled.
Manchester local recycling centres can be found here: https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/recycling-guide/mattresses/
One things for certain, fly tipping is the first one on the list!
To reduce the risk of being caught fly-tipping always make sure to use a registered waste carrier to collect your waste.
Also, never ever burn your mattress, as this is illegal due to the harmful pollutants that will be released into the air.
Ensure that your waste disposal is always carried out safely!
Your Options
Local Tip
Council Collection
Private Waste Collection
Skip Hire
You can indeed!
Tips & recycling centres have the know how when it comes to the best way to dispose of a fridge.
Metal - The outer casing is usually made of metal.
Plastic - Every fridge is made with some elements of plastic. For instance, there is usually a plastic insert in the fridge door.
Glass - Some fridges will have glass inserts at the bottom for fruit and veg,
Insulation Materials - This helps to trap the cold air in the fridge keeping it cool.
Refrigeration Components - Electrical components to regulate the temperature, compressors, coils and fluids for the fridge.
A fridge should usually last around 10-15 years. Nearly as long as that leftover lasagne.
You can recycle a fridge, but, this needs to be done responsibly by using a registered waste carrier or taking this to your local recycling centre.
Fridges are classed as WEEE, otherwise known as e-waste. This is because of the electrical items found inside.
The fridge also contains metals, plastic and glass which can be widely recycled.
How not to Dispose of an Old Fridge
No Burning!
No Land filling!
No Fly-Tipping!
Any of the above options are a big no go! Fridges have hazardous materials inside, so this needs to be disposed of properly and in the correct way. Some fridge items cannot be reused or recycled.
Ensure that you always use a registered private waste contractor for your rubbish when it comes to fridges, or drop this at your local tip.
Figuring out how to get rid of bulky waste doesn't have to be back-breaking work!
By taking trips to the tip, or using a certified waste carrier, waste and recycling your bulky items can become a lighter load.
At Busy Bins. we operate a collect as you pay service for any items, large, small or down right stinky, so you can sleep easy knowing that you won't be sitting on that pile of junk for long.
Here are a few more reasons why you should use us for your next bulky waste collection.
So come and take part in the service with a smile. Don't just take our word for it though, throughout our 7 years of being in business, we have received over 800 verified customers reviews who have rated us 4.9 out of 5 on our service.
We are so proud of them!
To have a peek out our reviews, click here: https://busybins.co.uk/reviews
To book your next waste collection, contact us today at: www.busybins.co.uk
To read our privacy policy CLICK HERE
