Hazardous household waste

Essentially Hazardous Household Waste is any bulky electrical item (requiring a plug or batteries) or those containing CFC or HCFC gases. 

What will we collect?

Fridges and freezers

The Ozone Depleting Substances Regulation (ODS) became law throughout Europe on 1 January 2002. As a result councils now deal with fridges and freezers differently to normal waste because they contain gases (CFCs and HCFCs) that attack the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. This has resulted in increased disposal costs. Fridges and freezers can now be collected as part of our hazardous household waste collection service.                      

Bulky electrical waste

Criteria adopted by all Hertfordshire councils on 16 July 2005 means that we are unable to accept electrical or electronic items on our bulky refuse service. Anything with a plug or batteries is now, or will be considered hazardous household waste.

Alternatively, speak to the retailer where you are buying your new electrical item from. They may offer a take-back scheme to recycle old items.

This service may be used for the following:

• Fridges/freezers;
• Washing machines;
• Cookers (including gas cookers with electric ignition);              
• Televisions;
• Computer monitors;
• Any other electrical equipment that meet the criteria as bulky refuse.

How much will it cost?

• Hazardous household waste collections cost £31.00 (inc VAT) per item.                   
• If you require items to be removed from inside your property, be that a shed, garage, on a landing area or anywhere in a communal block, you will have to pay a further charge of £16.00 to cover additional liability costs.
• Please note refunds are not available in the event of you cancelling the collection.

For further information on the bulky refuse service please contact us.

These charges are in effect from 10 April 2007 to 31 March 2008 and will be subject to review.

The service  

Hazardous bulky items are usually collected on a Thursday and you will be contacted to be told when the collection will take place. Items must be left outside your property on the scheduled day in an accessible position.                 

If you are paying for a collection from inside your property this will always be by appointment. Please include your telephone number on the booking form.

We are unable to offer a house clearance service.                         

How and where to pay

• By post - Print off and complete the hazardous household waste booking form and send it to the address at the top of the form with a cheque or postal order.
• In person - Print off and complete the hazardous household waste booking form and take it to the Council Offices at Campus West, Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield Swim Centre, or Hatfield Leisure Centre, Travellers Lane, where you can make payments by cash, cheque or postal order.               

Alternative methods of disposal

Alternatively you can make use of the Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRCs) around Hertfordshire (please see the WasteAware website for further details on what is accepted). Hazardous household wastes such as fridges are accepted here free of charge.                

Remember fly-tipping is illegal and dumped bulky waste like fridges and freezers pose a real hazard to small children or pets who may become harmed or trapped inside.             

More information

For more information, you may find the Environment Agency's leaflet on WEEE (that's Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment) interesting.