New regime will improve Council bulky waste collection service

To ensure the service operates at a manageable and sustainable level, the Council is implementing the following improvements:

• extending collections to an increased-hours, four-days-a week regime
• optimising collection routes by using heat maps of the past three months to create smaller, more efficient geographic collection zones
• increasing daily collections from 30 to 35 items per day
• contacting current customers to offer earlier collection slots
• offering all new bookings a collection slot within one week

These measures will allow the Council to clear any existing backlog and reduce collection waiting times to within improved level of seven days.

Comment

“Oxford City Council and ODS remain committed to continuously improving our bulky waste collections to help ensure a cleaner, more efficient and cost-effective service for all residents.  

“Now, these measures will cut the collection response times to make it easier for everyone to get rid of their bulky waste items quickly, and at a low cost.”

 Councillor Nigel Chapman, Cabinet Member for Citizen Focused Services and Council Companies 

Background

Charges for bulky waste collections were introduced in 2021 bringing the City Council’s policy in line with other districts in Oxfordshire. The current charges are:

• for bulky waste furniture (like sofas, armchairs, and mattresses): £22 per item
• for large electrical items and white goods (including fridges, freezers, washing machines, and ovens): £33 per item.

A discount is available for those receiving housing benefit, council tax support, or universal credit with a housing element. With the discount, the charge for bulky waste furniture is £10 per item, and the charge for large electrical items and white goods is £15 per item.

In January 2023, Government regulations required that waste items containing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) such as fire-retardant upholstery be collected and processed separately. This statutory requirement has increased operational costs and decreased capacity, as separate waste streams must now be managed.

Currently, white goods bulky waste collections take place one day a week and are disposed of at Redbridge. POPs and other bulky furniture collections take place on two days a week and are taken to either Sutton Courtney or Redbridge.

With an increased collection schedule and route optimisation, the Council aims to ensure a faster service for residents.

Looking ahead

In the longer term, the Council is working on making the bulky waste collection service even better by: 

• exploring digital booking options to replace the current phone-based system, making it easier for residents to schedule collections 
• evaluating the impact of Simpler Recycling legislation and Extended Producer Responsibility payments, which indicate that Councils may be required to offer free domestic bulky waste collections in the future 
• encouraging reuse and circular economy initiatives to reduce the volume of bulky waste requiring disposal

Booking a bulky waste collection 

Booking a bulky waste collection is by telephone, learn more at the Bulky waste collection service webpage.