Bulky waste collections

The price for the collection and disposal of bulky waste is increasing from 1 April 2024. This change is necessary to meet increasing costs of waste management and disposal, and to meet the requirements of new legislation.

Legislation requires that we must collect all bulky waste items containing persistent organic pollutants (POPs) separately from other items.

POPs are chemical substances that do not break down in the environment. They are a danger to human health and the environment.

Examples of large household items which may contain POPs:

• sofas
• sofa beds
• armchairs
• cushioned kitchen and dining room chairs
• stools and foot stools
• home office chairs
• futons
• bean bags, floor and sofa cushions
• pushchairs
• child car seats
• electronic waste

We collect these items separately, which may be on a different day from other items that you have booked for bulky waste collection. We now need to charge for these items separately.

Charges from 1 April 2024:

So, for example, if you order 5 non-POP items and 2 POP items, the cost will be £42.70 (and we will collect them at two different times).

If you need to order more than 10 items you must make a second booking.

If you receive housing benefits, you can get up to four free bulky waste collections a year (between 1 April and 31 March). You must include your housing benefit number when booking your collection.

If you are on Universal Credit, you may qualify for free collections. But our Contact Centre must first validate your documents. You can contact them on 0208 356 6688. They will complete the form on your behalf.

You can choose your collection slot.

During the booking process, you can choose your collection slots from the available options presented to you.

On the day of collection leave your items as stated in the instructions received when booking.

We will only collect:

• items on the job ticket – we will not collect additional items
• items ordered for collection left in the agreed location (outside the building at ground level)
• items left at the correct time – items should be out and available by 6am on the day of collection
• items that are safe to collect – for example, items should not be dangerous such as nails sticking out, sharp edges, dirty or soaked mattresses
• items that allow one person to collect them – for example wood should be securely bundled together

If you do not leave your items as instructed then they may not be collected and your payment will not be refunded.

If the crew is unable to collect your items you will be notified by email. You may have to rebook your collection.

Wet items left out in the rain

We won’t collect wet items left out in the rain because the rainwater adds extra weight to the items making them too heavy to move.

You should cover the items with a plastic sheet.

If the items are wet we will not remove the items on the scheduled collection day. We will make another attempt to collect 48 hours later.

Building or DIY waste

The bulky waste collection is for household waste items. We will not collect:

• rubble
• masonry and tiles
• construction waste
• fencing

Our commercial waste service can collect these items and other DIY waste – email commercialwaste@hackney.gov.uk or call 020 8356 6683. 

Small electrical items like DVD players, computers, hair dryers and kettles

Take it to one of our recycling banks.

Hazardous waste

To arrange a collection of hazardous waste or paint, contact the Corporation of London hazardous waste collection and disposal service.

Any waste from landlords, tradesmen or businesses

Contact our commercial waste service.

Our Bulky Waste assisted collection service is available to disabled and elderly residents who cannot place items outside of their premise for collection.

If you’re booking an assisted bulky waste collection:

• we’ll only collect items stated in the booking form – no other items will be collected
• you will sign a waiver of liability form when we arrive so that we can collect the items
• items will only be collected if they are safe to handle – we will assess this at your home

Failure to follow these instructions will result in the cancellation of your assisted bulky waste collection.

This service is offered at the council’s discretion and will be monitored for misuse.

If you need to reschedule, we can move your booking to another slot if you give us at least 48 hours notice. If you leave it later than 48 hours, we can’t move it and you won’t get a refund.

You can reschedule or update your booking by emailing wasteoperations@hackney.gov.uk quoting your booking reference.

We can update all collections if you give us at least 48 hours notice.

If you give us less than 48 hours notice you will not be able to make changes or get a refund.

If you’re a paying customer you can only add or remove items within the 5 item limit as we cannot process an additional fee or refund. If you want to add more items to exceed the 5 item limit then you will need to make a second booking.

You can make changes to your booking by emailing wasteoperations@hackney.gov.uk quoting your booking reference.

We can cancel all collections if you give 48 hours notice (excluding weekends).

Do not leave it later than 48 hours otherwise you won’t be eligible for a refund.

If you are receiving a concession collection and you cancel your booking less than 48 hours before your slot, it may affect your eligibility for future concession collections.

You can cancel by emailing wasteoperations@hackney.gov.uk quoting your booking reference.

We will refund cancellations made with at least 48 hours notice (excluding weekends).

If you’re a paying customer who ordered online, email us to cancel. Then, we will contact you about the refund.

If you’re a paying customer that booked via the telephone you must request the refund by calling 020 8356 6688.