Bulky items (special collections) frequently asked questions

What materials can be collected?
What bulky household waste won't be picked up as a special collection?
Does Ealing Council remove clinical waste? (eg hypodermic needles and syringes)
Does Ealing Council remove baths?
How much does the special collection service cost?
What happens if I have more than eight items?
I am not able to pay for special collections are their any concessions for the elderly?
How do I request a special collection?
How do I pay?
How does the appointment process work?
When will my materials be collected?
Where should I leave my materials for collection?
I don't have a front garden. Where do I put my waste if I don't want to put it on the
pavement?
Is there assistance for collections for the elderly and disabled?
Will the council come into my back garden/gate to collect?
Why was my collection missed?
Are fridges/freezers part of this service?
I am not physically able to move my fridge. Can the council come inside my house and
collect it?
Can I request collection for four or more fridges?
What happens if I have more than eight items?
Can I change my appointment?
Can I cancel my appointment?
Can I delay a collection?
Can I request a future date (longer than five days)?
Is the service available on weekends?
Can I add extra items to be collected after the collection time?
Will you pick up an item I forgot to put out in time for the collection time?
I forgot to put an item out. Will you collect it?
I live in a flat, is the service available to me?
Are there any charities that will collect unwanted furniture?

What materials can be collected?
Examples of bulky household waste include: fridges, sofas, beds. Please note: We do not collect commercial fridges/freezers from domestic properties.

What bulky household waste won't be picked up as a special collection?
Items too big or heavy or awkward to be carried by two men. Also the following items:

asbestos - requires specialist removal. Check your yellow pages to arrange a private collection
boilers - metal boilers can be disposed of as scrap metal at: to Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre, Acton Re-use and Recycling Centre or Southall Re-use and Recycling Centre
building/DIY supplies eg bricks, builders rubble, concrete, earth, sand, gravel. This waste should be taken to Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre and vehicles must pass over the weighbridge first
cast iron baths - should be taken to Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre, Acton Re-use and Recycling Centre, Southall Re-use and Recycling Centre
chemical storage tanks - should be taken to West Waste Civil Amenities Site. Victoria Road, South Ruislip, Middlesex. Tel: (020) 8841 4546
dead domestic pets - should be taken to a veterinarian surgery for disposal
oils - eg lubrication oils or greases, heating oils, cooking oils. Cooking oil can be taken to either of the re-use and recycling centres for recycling. Large quantities of cooking oils can be disposed of by contacting Heap Oils on 01895 824 252
engine oil - should be taken to: Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre, Acton Re-use and Recycling Centre, Southall Re-use and Recycling Centre. Alternatively, engine oil only can be placed in a plastic bottle clearly labelled as 'engine oil' and put in your green box
tins of paint - these should be taken to Greenford Re-use and Recycling Centre for re-use
wrapped disposable nappies - should be placed in your normal, household rubbish.

Does Ealing Council remove clinical waste? (eg hypodermic needles and syringes)
Yes. These are collected by the clinical waste department. Find more information on clinical waste collections (household and/or commercial) or contact Ealing customer services: tel: (020) 8825 6000; email: customers@ealing.gov.uk.

Does Ealing Council remove baths?
Cast iron baths cannot be collected as they are too heavy. Baths made from lighter materials can be collected.

How much does the special collection service cost?

Size/type item	Cost
Special collection of bulky household waste (for a maximum of eight items in a single delivery)	£20
Items 0-3m² in size	£46
Items 3-6 m² in size	£76
Items 6-10 m² in size	£176
Items 10+ m² in size	£20 per metre
Fridge/freezer	Free

What happens if I have more than eight items?
Special collections for more than eight items will be charged at an agreed rate. We can arrange for an inspector to quote the customer.

I am not able to pay for special collections are their any concessions for the elderly?
No. Special collection assistance is not provided for the elderly and/or disabled.

How do I request a special collection?
To request a special collection complete the special collection form (word) and return to Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, Ealing W5 2HL or contact Ealing customer services on (020) 8825 6000 or email customers@ealing.gov.uk for a copy of the form.

How do I pay?
Payment methods accepted are visa, maestro, cheque. Residents can contact Ealing Council customer services on (020) 8825 6000 or by email on customers@ealing.gov.uk. We will send you a special collection form which details payment methods.

How does the appointment process work?
Am or pm appointments for Mondays-Fridays are offered on a first-come, first-served basis through Ealing Customer Services, which will be within five working days of receipt of the payment.

When will my materials be collected?
Either within five working days of receipt of payment or, if an appointment has been booked, then on the day specified. Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, 7am-12pm or 12pm–3pm on Mondays–Fridays.

Where should I leave my materials for collection?
Materials should be left in a clearly visible spot at the edge of (but within) the property at all times on the scheduled appointment date. Items must be available for collection from the front, side or rear of the property and be accessible. Operatives are not permitted to enter dwellings. If you don’t have a garden, items can be placed in a communal bin area. Alternatively, if there is a rear garden that is easily accessible, the items can be placed there if agreed.

I don't have a front garden. Where do I put my waste if I don't want to put it on the pavement?
Items can be placed in a communal bin area. Alternatively, if there is a rear garden that is easily accessible, the items can be placed there.

Is there assistance for collections for the elderly and disabled?
No. Special collection assistance is not provided for the elderly and/or disabled. Family, friends or neighbours may be able to assist you.

Will the council come into my back garden/gate to collect?
Yes, the crew will enter the rear garden, as long as it is easily accessible during collection day.

Why was my collection missed?
We may not have been able to access your garden, in which case we would have left you an advice note. If you call to report the missed collection by noon then we will return the same day. If reported after noon we will collect it by the end of the next working day.

Are fridges/freezers part of this service?
Yes and we collect household fridges and freezers for free. Please note, the council only collects fridges/freezers from domestic properties. Free collection does not apply to commercial fridges/freezers.

By law, most electrical goods retailers will arrange for broken or unwanted appliances to be collected when a replacement has been purchased. We advise you speak with them first and check that they offer this service.

I am not physically able to move my fridge. Can the council come inside my house and collect it?
No. Crews are not allowed to enter dwellings. Family, friends or neighbours may be able to assist you.

Can I request collection for four or more fridges?
No. Four fridges or freezers from a single address are classed as commercial waste. Customers should contact a commercial metal recycling company and request collection – this will incur a charge.

What happens if I have more than eight items?
Special collections for more than eight items will be charged at an agreed rate. We can arrange for an ECT ispector to quote a price.

Can I change my appointment?
Yes, if you contact us before noon the day before the agreed collection. Contact Ealing Council customer services department on (020) 8825 6000.

Can I cancel my appointment?
Yes, customers who wish to cancel their special collection requests can do so either:

over the phone to customer services on (020) 8825 6000 (customers will be asked for their job number and to verify their identity)
in writing to: Multi-Media Team, Customer Services, 1st Floor Perceval House, 14-16 Uxbridge Road, London, W5 2HL
by email to Multimediateam@ealing.gov.uk

Cancellations must be made one full working day before the collection is due. Refunds are not permitted because the fee partly applies to administration costs.

Can I delay a collection?
Yes, if you contact us before noon the day before the agreed collection. Contact Ealing Council customer services department on (020) 825 6000.

Can I request a future date (longer than five days)?
Yes, state the required date on the application form and we will confirm whether this is possible.

Is the service available on weekends?
No.

Can I add extra items to be collected after the collection time?
No, you will need to contact Ealing customer services: tel: (020) 8825 6000; email: customers@ealing.gov.uk and book another collection

Will you pick up an item I forgot to put out in time for the collection time?
You will need to make sure all your items are out for collection in the agreed timeframe. If this is not the case and we have made all efforts to carry out the collection at the agreed time, you will need to contact us and book and pay for another collection.

I forgot to put an item out. Will you collect it?
No, you will need to contact Ealing customer services: tel: (020) 8825 6000; email: customers@ealing.gov.uk and book another collection.

I live in a flat, is the service available to me?
Yes, a refuse area will probably be the most appropriate area to present the items, which must be agreed with ECT. Materials must not be stored on the public highway.

Are there any charities that will collect unwanted furniture?
There are two charities that collect furniture in the borough, but only if the item is in a condition suitable enough that you would pass it onto a family member or friend. To find out more, call Furniture Community Store on (020) 8969 3332 or Acton Recycling on (020) 8896 1248.