Fridge and freezer collections temporarily suspended
Council collections of unwanted fridges and freezers has been temporarily suspended due to a shortage of capacity at treatment and recycling facilities.
Fridges and freezers require specialist treatment and recycling. There is currently only a limited number of facilities across the country able to process them.
A combination of operational issues affecting several treatment facilities, including site fires, the closure of a processor and increased demand during the recent hot weather, has significantly reduced national capacity.
As a result, SUEZ, which operates Surrey's waste disposal sites on behalf of Surrey County Council, has temporarily restricted deliveries of fridges and freezers from Surrey's district and borough councils.
Similar restrictions have been introduced by a number of local authorities across England facing the same capacity issues.
The situation will remain under review and collections will resume as soon as it is possible to do so.
During the temporary suspension, residents are asked to:
- use a retailer take-back service when purchasing a replacement fridge or freezer, where available
- take unwanted appliances to Martyrs Lane Community Recycling Centre, which continues to accept fridges and freezers
- store appliances safely at home if neither option is possible until collections resume.
Please do not leave unwanted appliances outside properties or dispose of them in any other way, as this could constitute fly-tipping.