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Let’s rethink bulky waste – could your unwanted item be reused, repaired or rehomed instead?

Every year in the UK, hundreds of thousands of bulky items like furniture and electricals are sent to disposal or recycling – even though many could have been reused or repaired.

Before you book a bulky waste collection, please take a moment to see if there’s a better way to pass your item on – by doing so, you could save money, help others, support your community, reduce waste and protect the environment!

What else could you do with your unwanted item?

Give it away – could you make someone’s day?

Many items – even those with a little wear or damage – can be useful to someone else:

  • List it online for free on sites such as Freegle, Freecycle or Olio.
  • Offer it on social media through resources such as Facebook groups or Nextdoor.
  • Check if a local Community Action Group or reuse project needs it.

Sell it – could you make some money?

Make a bit of cash and keep your item in use:

  • Try posting an ad on services such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, eBay or Vinted.

Donate it – could you help your local community?

Get in touch with local charities to check if they collect or accept bulky items in good condition, including:

  • Charity shops
  • Furniture reuse charities
  • Community projects

Repair or upcycle it – could you save money by continue using it?

You may be surprised what can be fixed with a little help:

  • Ask your local Repair Café
  • Ask a friend or neighbour who’s handy
  • Search YouTube for DIY fixes
  • Get creative and turn it into something new!

Do you have an unwanted sofa or upholstered furniture?

Some household furniture items like sofas, armchairs, bean bags, futons, and office chairs may contain harmful chemicals called POPs (persistent organic pollutants), especially if they are upholstered with leather, synthetic leather, fabric, or foam. Unless you can prove they don’t contain POPs, you must treat these items as POPs waste, meaning they must be handled separately from regular bulky waste.

  • Any item that might contain POPs must be disposed of separately from other items – they can’t be reused or passed on and must not be broken down, even if they are longer than 6 feet. 

Items like wooden chairs without upholstery, mattresses, curtains, blinds, and beds are not considered domestic seating and usually don’t contain POPs.

Still need a bulky waste collection?

If your item is broken beyond repair or can’t be reused, you can still book a collection with us via the South Oxfordshire bulky waste page or Vale of White Horse bulky waste page.

Replacing an electrical item?

Many retailers are required to take your old electrical item away when delivering the new one. Please check with them first before making a purchase. For more information, visit the Electrical waste: retailer and distributor responsibilities.

Don’t risk a fine – dispose of bulky items legally

If you decide to pay someone to remove your waste, remember that you must ensure that the waste items will be transported and disposed of legally.  If you pay someone to remove items from your property which are then fly-tipped, you could be fined or prosecuted.  To find out how to stay legal, visit the South Oxfordshire Removing Waste page or Vale of White Horse Removing Waste page.

How we’re Rethinking Waste

This campaign is part of our new Rethinking Waste – Waste Resources and Street Cleansing Strategy. Following the key themes of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover the strategy sets out ways everyone can reduce the amount of waste they produce and try to reuse, repair, refill and rehome items as the go to option, instead of throwing them away.