Everything you need to know about rubbish removal in the UK

Summer is here and across Wales, the warmer weather means clearing out clutter, tidying the garden and possibly even renovating rooms in your home.

While this is great in the long term, from the moment you begin to tidy, sort out or renovate your home, chances are you will accumulate plenty of waste, as you clear clutter, replace old fences, household equipment and garden furniture.  If your project includes construction, this can be quite hefty.

With much of Wales now on a limited waste collection service, you will need to find creative ways to deal with the rubbish and clutter – and comply with the strict waste removal laws here in the UK.  Quite rightly, fly tipping is not an option.  Here’s some options to consider:

Charity

For clothing, household furniture and white goods, why not consider donating to charity?  That old sofa, TV, washing machine or table could still have plenty of life left in it and a local charity can sell it to raise funds or donate it to someone in need.   Most charities accept items that are still functional and in good condition.

In recent years, a number of Facebook groups have also popped up where you can advertise second hand goods, either free to collect or you could even sell your goods second hand.

One man’s junk is another man’s treasure, so they say – and it’s also more environmentally friendly than landfill.

Recycling centres

If you have time and a big enough vehicle, most areas of Wales have local recycling centres which accept waste.  You should plan your visit and avoid peak times as there can be large queues at weekends.  You can check your local council website to find your nearest recycling centre – most centres will require you to separate the waste for recycling and many also operate a system for charity donations.  These sites are usually free to use, as long as they are not for commercial waste and you transport the waste there in a car, you will need to buy a permit if you take your waste in a commercial vehicle

Skip/Bag hire

If your waste is being produced for a longer period and you need somewhere to store it safely, renting a skip is a good idea. It is also the most economical solution if you have a lot of heavy and loose waste, such as rubble or soil.

Make sure what kind of debris you can throw in it and for how long it will be necessary to keep it in your yard. You should also keep in mind that if you are standing the skip on a street corner and not in your yard, you will need to get permission from the local council and inform your neighbours as well.

In addition, some DIY stores offer a reinforced ‘bag’ you can use instead of a skip, and the price of the bag includes collection – this can be better value for smaller loads and can be placed in gardens where there may not be enough room for a skip.

Private rubbish removal services

If you are short on time or if you have multiple types of waste, you can use a waste removal service from a private company – this is normally cost effective and the company will take care of all the uplift and relocation..

However, it is important to only use a licensed waste carrier and ask for proof of their status.  This is to avoid scams, for example ads on social media cannot always be traced to an individual or business and if a company collects your waste, charges you for collection but then fly tips it, you could be held liable.  It is your responsibility to ensure that any waste is legally disposed of – using a licensed waste carrier is your best option.