Councils across the UK are temporarily halting the acceptance of fridges and freezers at household waste recycling centres due to a national backlog in safe disposal capacity. The suspensions have been triggered by a shortage of specialist facilities and operational disruptions.
Why Fridges and Freezers Require Special Disposal
Since 2002, fridges and freezers have been required to be disposed of by approved contractors. These white goods contain valuable materials such as aluminium, copper, and steel, as well as toxic gases and foam.
Earlier this year, councils across the country began announcing they are unable to take fridges and freezers due to capacity issues. The Environmental Services Association states there are only a small number of specialist facilities for fridge and freezer disposals in the UK. Some facilities have either been closed or have been affected by serious fires over the last year.
National Association Calls for Government Help
On August 7, the National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) called on the government to help lift the pressure on fridge and freezer recycling infrastructure. NAWDO states that there are more fridges and freezers entering the system across the UK than there is capacity to treat, made worse by “operational disruptions” and increased appliance purchases.
The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers states that the capacity issues have also been exacerbated by an increase in the purchase of new appliances driven by the recent hot weather.
North Tyneside Council Latest to Suspend Acceptance
This week, North Tyneside Council announced it is among the latest local authorities to halt the acceptance of fridge freezers temporarily. Residents are told to hold on to their unwanted appliances until the capacity issue is resolved.
North Tyneside Council’s director of environment Samantha Dand said: “The permits and licences under which the HWRC operates place strict limits on the tonnage of fridges and freezers we can store on site. With processing capacity constrained nationally, we are approaching the point where we cannot legally accept any additional fridges or freezers until the existing stock has been moved on for treatment.”
North Tyneside's Tory councillors raise concerns about the prospect of increased fly-tipping as a result of the suspension at the tip.
