Moving into a completely unfurnished flat left a reporter with a mountain of cardboard that the council refused to collect. Waste management specialists Wheeldon Brothers say the situation is far from uncommon.
Cardboard piles up after move
After moving four times in two years, the reporter was confident about the challenge. But the sheer quantity of cardboard generated—from transporting possessions and ordering new furniture—soon consumed the bedroom, the lounge and the office.
The council would not collect it because it would not fit into a bin with a closed lid. Without a car to transport it to a recycling centre, and with an expired licence preventing hiring one, the reporter was stuck.
Private contractor costs £105
With no other option, the reporter spent £105 on a private contractor to collect the surplus cardboard—the cheapest quote available. Other companies sought up to £150 for removal.
The boxes had to be carried down four flights of stairs and left outside for collection. By the afternoon, they had all disappeared.
Tips to improve collection chances
Wheeldon Brothers spokesperson advised that people should flatten all cardboard boxes and remove any polystyrene or soft plastics beforehand.
"Flattening boxes isn't just about saving space in your wheelie bin. It helps maximise space in the collection vehicle too," they explained. "If cardboard is left in large, bulky pieces, crews may have to leave it behind because there simply isn't enough room."
Planning ahead is also strongly advisable. The spokesperson added: "Moving house inevitably creates more waste than normal, but planning ahead makes a big difference. Flatten boxes, remove packaging materials and check your council's recycling guidance. If you've got far more cardboard than your bin can accommodate, a trip to the local recycling centre is often the quickest and easiest solution."
