Banish your bulky items

Spring is often seen as a great time to have a clear out for the arrival of a new season. But sometimes disposing of our unwanted items isn’t as simple as putting them into the recycling or general waste bin.

Bulkier items, such as furniture or white goods like fridges, can be difficult to dispose of, especially if you don’t have access to a larger vehicle. We’ve put a helpful guide of what services may be available to you, meaning you can have a successful spring clean, and help the environment too.

Be careful  

There are businesses that offer to take your bulkier items away for a cost. Whilst many of these are legitimate and carry a license and will dispose of your waste correctly, some don’t and will dump it illegally.  

This is known as fly-tipping, and if you can be linked back to your waste, you may face action against you and even a fine. Don’t let your good intentions get you into trouble. 

Donate

Do you have unwanted items, such as furniture, that could still be used by someone else?  

There are some great ways you can donate furniture, to give them a new lease of life and create space in your home.

Organisations such as the British Heart Foundation offer free collection appointments for bulky items, for example furniture. To see if you can book a collection in your area, and to find out more on what they can and cannot collect, head to the British Heart Foundations website.

Local authority collections  

All local authorities offer some form of bulky waste collections. Depending on where you live will depend on the service they provide. Some offer free collections whereas others will charge per item or per group of items.  

Head to your local authority’s website to see what service they can provide you:

North Tyneside Council

South Tyneside Council

Newcastle City Council

Northumberland County Council

Sunderland City Council

Middlesbrough Council

North Yorkshire Council

Some local authorities, like Newcastle City Council also offer free collections for small electrical items, which can usually be difficult to dispose of.  

Recycling centres 

Or more commonly known as “the tip” is your one stop shop for recycling household waste.

There are often multiple centres in local authorities, meaning they are accessible for most people who have transport. The centres offer a multitude of recycling points including for electricals and garden waste.  

It’s always best to check your local recycling centre, as opening times, and whether you need to book your visit, can vary.