Fridge freezer disposal: free options & council costs
Every way to get rid of an old fridge or freezer in the UK – what’s free, what councils charge, how long you’ll wait, and the quickest option.
- 1Tip / recycling centre usually free
- 2Retailer take-back when you buy new
- 3Council collection £5–£70, 1–3 weeks
- 4Licensed collector quickest, from home
Quick answer: the cheapest way is to take it to your local household recycling centre (usually free for residents) or let the shop take it when they deliver a new one. Only a small number of councils collect fridges for free – most charge between £5 and £70 and you can wait 1–3 weeks. If you can’t move it yourself, a licensed collector is the quickest option and can take it from inside your home.
All the ways to get rid of a fridge freezer
🚗 Household recycling centre
Most council tips take fridges and freezers from residents for free. You’ll need a car or van big enough – and help lifting it.
🛒 Retailer take-back
Buying a new fridge? Most retailers will take the old one when they deliver, often for a small fee. Many also accept a like-for-like return in store.
🏛️ Council bulky waste
Most councils charge. Collection is usually from the kerb, not inside, and waits are often 1–3 weeks – longer in spring.
🚚 Licensed collector
Fastest and easiest – collected from inside your home by a licensed waste carrier, with the gases removed safely. Book in a minute.
Don’t put a fridge in a skip or leave it on the street. Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases that must be removed at a licensed facility. Fly-tipping can lead to a fine – and if you pay someone, check they’re a registered waste carrier.
What councils charge
Most UK councils charge for bulky waste, and only a small number collect fridges for free – usually with limits (one or two collections a year, a cap on items, or a waiting list). For a single fridge, typical charges run from £5 to around £70 – some councils charge more for a multi-item booking.
| Free (with limits) | Limits |
|---|---|
| City of London | up to 3 large items |
| Hammersmith & Fulham | up to 5 items per booking |
| Wandsworth | 2 collections a year (4 items) |
| Waltham Forest | 2 collections a year (3 items) |
| Enfield, Harrow, Newham, Redbridge, Tower Hamlets | free bulky waste |
| Liverpool | free bulky waste |
| Flintshire | free fridge collection |
| Merthyr Tydfil | fridges free, other items charged |
| Sandwell (over-60s) | 1 free a year, then charged |
| Richmond (low income) | free with proof of benefit |
| Council | Charge |
|---|---|
| Runnymede | £85 (3 items) |
| Richmond upon Thames | £67 |
| Bromley | £64 |
| Hounslow | £50 |
| Birmingham | £35.70 (up to 10 items) |
| Westminster | £34 (up to 6 items) |
| Carmarthenshire | £26 (up to 3 items) |
| Hackney | £15 |
| Nottingham | £12.50 first item |
| Camden, Greenwich | £10 |
| Glasgow | £5 |
Prices as published by each council when last checked – they change, so always confirm with your own council before booking.
Council vs licensed collector
| Council bulky waste | Scrap4Free collector | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free (a few councils) to about £70 | From £40 |
| Wait | Usually 1–3 weeks, up to 4 at busy times | Often within a few days |
| Where from | Usually outside / kerbside only | From inside your home |
| Other items | Limited number per booking | Scrap metal and appliances too |
| Booking | Council website or phone | Online in about a minute |
Fridge disposal questions
How can I get rid of a fridge freezer for free?
Take it to your local household recycling centre (usually free for residents), ask the shop to take it when they deliver your new one, or check whether your council is one of the few that collect fridges free.
How much does the council charge to collect a fridge?
It depends on your council – typically between £5 and about £70, and some include several items for the same price. See the examples above and check your council’s website for the current charge.
Why isn’t fridge collection free like scrap metal?
Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases and insulation that must be removed safely at a licensed facility. That treatment costs money, so collection is charged.
Can I put a fridge in a skip?
No – most skip companies won’t accept fridges or freezers because of the gases inside. Take it to a recycling centre or use a licensed collector.
Will you collect from inside my house?
Yes. Scrap4Free collectors can collect from inside your home, so you don’t need to move it outside first.
Need your fridge gone this week?
Book a licensed local collector online – collected from inside your home, from £40.