In January 2019 the BBC Shared Data Unit reported on the postcode lottery of council charges to collect unwanted furniture and other large waste items.
Data was gathered and analysed from 391 councils across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland and we found:
- Prices across the UK range from just a few pounds for a single item to £44. For multiple items, charges go up to £100 in some areas
- Householders in the south of England have to pay on average three times as much as those in the North East, the cheapest region for bulky waste
- A quarter of councils in England have extra charges to collect white goods
- Only a third of councils in England offer reductions for pensioners, disabled residents or people on benefits
- Only 15 councils in England currently provide free bulky waste collections, while half of local authorities in Northern Ireland do not charge
The average price per item at first collection:
- England £11
- Wales £6
- Scotland £6
- Northern Ireland £2
This content was produced by a regional newspaper reporter working alongside BBC staff.
The Shared Data Unit makes data journalism available to news organisations across the media industry, as part of a partnership between the BBC and the News Media Association. Stories generated by the partnership included:
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Yorkshire Evening Post : How bulky waste charges in Leeds and Wakefield compare to Yorkshire and UK fees 9 January 2018
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Kensington Chelsea and Westminster Today : UK Councils set to raise waste collection costs 9 January 2018
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The Scotsman : Scottish households face ‘confusing’ postcode lottery for bulky uplifts 10 January 2018
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The Bolton News : Bolton Council's bulky waste collection third highest fees 10 January 2018
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Blackpool Gazette : Postcode lottery for bin services 10 January 2018
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Wigan Today : Postcode lottery of bulky waste collection charges revealed 10 January 2018
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Bury Times : Bury Council's bulky waste charge is second highest in area 10 January 2018
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Hereford Times : Cost of removing bulky rubbish in Herefordshire is less than average 10 January 2018
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Worthing Herald : Sussex residents in postcode lottery on bulky waste collections fees 10 January 2018
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Chronicle Live : Northumberland revealed as the highest in postcode lottery of bulky waste collection charges 10 January 2018
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The News : Bulky waste fees across the Portsmouth area among England’s ‘most expensive’ 10 January 2018
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Derbyshire Live : Figures show postcode lottery for Derbyshire bulky waste collections 10 January 2018
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Surrey Live : Three Surrey councils among country's seven most expensive for bulky waste collections 10 January 2018
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Stourbridge News. : Dudley's bulky waste collection figures revealed 10 January 2018
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The Buteman : Buteman bulky uplifts: Argyll and Bute has the highest first level cost for bulky waste uplifts in Scotland 10 January 2018
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Kent Online : 'Postcode lottery' of charges for bulky waste collections in Kent 10 January 2018
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Northamptonshire Telegraph : Corby’s bulky waste service one of cheapest in England...so why are people fly-tipping? 10 January 2018
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Kidderminster Shuttle : Cost of bulky waste collection in Wyre Forest among highest in region 10 January 2018
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Redditch Advertiser : Bulk collection charges for Redditch residents are among the lowest in the West Midlands 11 January 2018
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Swindon Advertiser : How much does it cost to have a sofa or fridge collected in Swindon? 11 January 2018
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Buxton Advertiser : Here’s how much Derbyshire householders pay to get rid of their garden waste 11 January 2018
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North Wales Live : What fly-tipping figures say about monthly bin collections 11 January 2018
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Inverness Courier : Fears of a fly-tipping frenzy as charges increase 11 January 2018
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Lancashire Telegraph: Northumberland revealed as the highest in postcode lottery of bulky waste collection charges 11 January 2018
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Northumberland Gazette : Northumberland has highest bulky-waste charge in the North East 11 January 2018
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Eagle Radio : Waverley most expensive for bulky waste collections in england/ 11 January 2018
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Northampton Chronicle and Echo : Northampton's bulky waste service is the dearest in the county 11 January 2018
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Worcester News : Bulky waste collection costs in Worcester revealed 15 January 2018
Non partner coverage:
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CIWM Journal Online: Data Highlights Bulky Waste Collection Charge Disparity 10 January 2018
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Gateshead Council: Bulky waste collections cheapest in the UK 11 January 2018
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Richmondshire Today : Richmondshire District Council one of the most expensive for bulky waste collections 15 January 2018
The story was also used by the BBC News Northern Ireland, BBC News Wales, BBC Newcastle, BBC Surrey, BBC Berkshire, BBC Tees, BBC Shropshire, BBC Radio Lincolnshire and BBC Hereford & Worcester.