Bulky Rubbish Collection

A bulky waste collection is for large household items too big for your standard bins, such as furniture, appliances, or mattresses. Before booking, consider donating usable items to local charities, Freecycle (freecycle.org), or Preloved (preloved.co.uk) many offer free pickups.

We offer a convenient service to collect large household items that don’t fit in your regular bins. Follow these steps to book your bulky waste collection online or by phone. You’ll need an East Herts My Account to book online, which lets you manage your booking easily.

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Book a bulky waste collection

Before you start

  • You must sign in or create an East Herts MyAccount to book a bulky waste collection.
  • Only start the form when you are ready. You will have 10 minutes to complete and submit it.

Get everything ready

  • Write down the items you want collected
    Include short, clear descriptions (for example, “small sofa with torn fabric” or “wooden wardrobe, taken apart”).
    This helps our crews understand what they will be collecting.
  • Have any photos ready
    Keep them somewhere easy to find on your phone or computer.
  • Know the date you want your collection
    Check your calendar before you start.
  • Have your debit or credit card ready
    You will need to pay when you book.

If time on your form runs out

  • You will not be able to book or pay.
  • Your answers will not be saved.
  • You will need to start the form again.

 

Important Booking Information

  • List each item separately: For example, a three-piece suite should be listed as one sofa and two chairs.
  • Unlisted items: If your item isn’t shown, select the closest match and use the Item Description box to provide details.
  • Collection types: Bookings must be for either:
    • Soft furnishings only, or
    • A mix of non-soft bulky items and electrical goods.

Option 1: Book Online

  1. Log in or register for East Herts My Account.
  2. Link your property to confirm your address using your UPRN.
  3. Visit the bulky waste section and list all items for collection, noting if any are upholstered.
  4. Pay securely with a credit or debit card.
  5. Confirm your booking and note your collection date (book up to 5 weeks in advance; slots released daily).

 

 

 

Option 2: Book by Phone

If you cannot book online:

  1. Call 01279 655261 and select “Refuse and Recycling.”
  2. Provide:
    • A list of items, specifying if any are upholstered.
    • The location of items if not at the front of your property.
    • A credit or debit card for payment (you’ll be transferred to an automated payment line).

Note: Phone bookings may take longer to process. Use My Account for a faster service.

What You’ll Need to Book

  • A debit or credit card for payment.
  • A complete list of items for collection (e.g., “2-seater sofa, fridge, dining table”).
  • Confirmation of a clear, unobstructed route from the collection point to the road.

We collect a wide range of household items, grouped as follows:

Soft Furnishings (Upholstered Items)

  • Sofas (2-seater, 3-seater, corner units)
  • Armchairs and cushioned chairs
  • Footstools and pouffes
  • Sofa beds
  • Headboards
  • Upholstered dining chairs
  • Cushions

White Goods (Large Appliances)

  • Fridges and freezers (must be empty)
  • Washing machines
  • Tumble dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Cookers and ovens
  • Microwaves

Electrical Items (Small Appliances)

  • Televisions and monitors
  • Vacuum cleaners
  • Stereos and speakers
  • Lamps
  • Kettles and toasters
  • IT equipment (e.g., printers, desktop towers, scanners, monitors)

Other Bulky Household Items

  • Wardrobes (disassembled if possible)
  • Tables and dining sets (table + up to 4 chairs = 2 items)
  • Bookcases
  • Chests of drawers
  • Desks
  • Bed frames and mattresses (base + headboard + mattress = 3 items)

We cannot collect:

  • Trade waste (e.g., from builders, plumbers, or contractors they must dispose of their own waste)
  • Large volumes of waste (consider hiring a skip)
  • Hazardous items (e.g., asbestos, batteries, chemicals, gas bottles, paint/oil, plasterboard, car parts/tyres, clinical waste, large glass panes)

Take these items to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre (proof of residency required) or hire a licensed skip carrier (check at Public Registers Online to avoid fly-tipping fines up to £50,000).

Charges (From 1 April 2025)

TypeCostNotes
Up to 3 soft-furnished items£58.90View items we collect above
Up to 3 non-soft-furnished items£58.90View items we collect above
Each additional item (same type)£16.30Maximum of 6 items per collection


Mixing items: Soft and non-soft items require separate bookings and payments due to Environment Agency rules.

Example: A sofa (soft) and a fridge (non-soft) would require two bookings (£58.90 each).

 

  1. Place items outside at the front of your property by 6:30am on collection day.
  2. Ensure items are ready:
    • Empty (e.g., fridges, cupboards).
    • Clean and dry (cover from rain to aid recycling).
    • Disassembled if possible (e.g., wardrobes, bed frames).
  3. Clear the route from the collection point to the road (no obstructions).

Notify us at booking if access is restricted (e.g., narrow paths, gates).

  • Cancel online via My Account for a full refund minus a £14.40 admin fee if more than 48 hours before collection. No refunds within 48 hours.
  • Amend your booking (e.g., change items or date) via My Account at least 24 hours before collection to avoid issues.
Manage your booking via your East Herts My Account
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