Restrictions on fridge and freezer recycling

As of August 2026, there is insufficient capacity nationally to recycle the country’s old cooling appliances including fridges, freezers and fridge freezers. The removal of cooling equipment for recycling from many waste sites including our HWRC at Raynesway, has been disrupted, causing backlogs.

Our team at Raynesway HWRC are doing everything they can to keep operations running smoothly. To help us manage space on-site and so we can continue to accept items, visitors are currently limited to dropping off a maximum of one fridge, freezer, or fridge-freezer per visit. We greatly appreciate residents’ patience and cooperation while we navigate this national issue.

Appliances collected using the bulky collection service are currently unaffected, but we will provide updates should this change.

Why this has happened

The UK only has a small number of treatment facilities. Several have become temporarily unavailable due to either fire, breakdowns or closure. This has been exacerbated by the hot weather causing a higher number of fridges/freezers to fail and need replacing.

Other options available

If you can store your item safely at home for a while longer, please do so. Alternatively, we are accepting cooling appliances at the HWRC, but this is limited to one per visit.

If you’re buying new, make the most of the scheme offered by your retailer. These schemes are designed to make recycling easier for consumers, and to capture greater levels of waste electricals for recycling. Select the ‘recycle’ option when you checkout. Recycling is free of charge, but sometimes a small charge may apply for the convenience of having a large item collected.

Electrical items can often be returned in store, please check the scheme offered by your retailer for further information. Sometimes, by recycling your old technology, you may be offered money off new purchases. All this helps to alleviate pressure on your local HWRC.

Find your nearest recycling point

Visit the Recycle Your Electricals website, and remember to never bin electrical items, especially those containing batteries. Batteries cause fires in our collection vehicles and at waste processing facilities.