Peterborough City Council offers householders one free collection per year for a maximum of five bulky items. We have learnt that these collections can be arranged to coincide with any normal bin collection; they occur on the same day as the usual bin collections whether grey, green or brown, although not necessarily at the same time. Bulky items may be collected by different vehicles as some items go to landfill, while electrical goods go elsewhere to be recycled.

A few weeks ago, some neighbours arranged for an old dishwasher and television to be collected, and duly left them out on collection day with their grey bin. Mid-morning, there came a knock on the door. On the doorstep stood a well-presented man, with a collection truck parked on the road.

“Good morning Madam. Is it OK if we take your bulky items away?”
“Yes, of course. Thank you for collecting them.”
“No problem.”

The items were taken, placed on the back of the truck and driven away. About an hour later, another knock on the door:

“Good morning, we’re from the City Council and have come to collect your bulky items.”
“But you’ve already been!”
“Oh no not again! No we haven’t already been!”

It seems that there is someone who, on bin days, will knock on your door and ask your permission to remove your bulky items, and this person is not from the City Council! It may be prudent to assure yourself that any collector is actually from the City Council, because if such items are subsequently found dumped in a hedgerow, there is a possibility that you may be liable!

Peterborough City Council: 01733 747474
Information about the collection of bulky items is available at: peterborough.gov.uk