Clear out clutter the right way

After the festive season, managing large, bulky waste responsibly is more important than ever.

Councils don’t collect large household items during regular waste collection rounds. Instead, you’ll need to either dispose of these items yourself or request a bulk item collection.

When bulky waste is left in communal areas, including bin stores and storage sheds, TCH must arrange its collection and disposal – a service that incurs significant costs.

We’ve received a lot of feedback in the last year regarding bulk waste and the costs of recharging. We’ve listened to you and are taking steps to improve signage and train our contractors to ensure bulk refuse is recharged to the correct areas.

We will always try to work out who has left bulk waste so they can be charged for its removal. However, it’s often impossible to identify who left the waste and so these fees must unfortunately be charged to all residents in the block.

To prevent this, we would urge everyone to take responsibility for disposing of their bulky waste properly. This article explains the help available to dispose of bulk items.

What is considered Bulk waste?

Not sure what qualifies as bulk waste? Here’s a quick guide:

Examples of accepted Items:

• Furniture: Sofas, chairs, tables, and wardrobes.
• Appliances: Washing machines, dishwashers, and fridges (check if the council collects these, as rules may vary).
• Other Household Items: Mattresses, carpets, or large mirrors.

What’s not accepted:

• Hazardous materials: Paint, chemicals, or asbestos.
• Construction waste: Bricks, rubble, or large renovation debris.
• Small general waste items: Things that can fit in your regular bin or recycling bags.

If you’re unsure about specific items, check your local council’s guidelines.

Disposing of bulk items yourself

If you prefer to handle it independently:

• Who can do this? Anyone can take bulk or household items to their local waste and recycling centre.
• Cost: This is generally a free service for most items.
• How to prepare: Some centres may require booking a slot before visiting, so double-check online.
• Locations: Find your nearest household waste and recycling site below:
  • Kent Residents
  • East Sussex Residents
  • Surrey Residents

Need help disposing of Bulk items?

If managing bulk waste on your own isn’t an option, you can arrange a collection through your local council.

While this service usually involves a fee, it allows you to schedule the collection of multiple items at once, making it convenient and efficient. Residents who receive certain benefits may also qualify for one free bulk collection every 90 days. This includes individuals on the Band 1 Council Tax Reduction Scheme (working age) or the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (non-working age). To apply, you’ll need to provide your National Insurance number and benefit reference number.

For more details, visit your local council’s website, or if you’re unsure which council covers your area, you can find out here.

Avoid rogue waste removal services

Thinking of hiring a private company? Protect yourself from scams:

• Only use companies with a waste carrier’s license.
• Ask for a waste transfer note and receipt.

Unlicensed services might illegally dump your waste, leading to fines for you as the homeowner.

Recycling electronics: Devices that deserve a new life

Got unwanted mobiles, tablets, or laptops? Don’t throw them out! Many schemes in your area can recycle or repurpose them:

• Recycling in Kent
• Recycling in West Sussex