Price reductions for 'bulky items' collections in Doncaster

The council did charge £34 for the collection of up to eight bulky items.

However, due to the coronavirus lockdown, prices have been reduced to £17, while those on welfare schemes like Universal Credit can get a further reduction at £8.50.

Rules vary on what amounts to eight items. A fence panel for example is classed as one, a dining table and four chairs is defined as five, while a whole garden shed is noted as eight items.

Building waste including brick rubble and plasterboard from house fixtures and fittings and garden waste such as soil and stones are not eligible for collection.

Hazardous waste, liquid waste, car tyres and car parts are also not included in the pick-up.

The fees are already controversial as some councillors called for collections of such items to be free of charge in an attempt to stop fly-tipping across Doncaster.

Coun David Hughes, Labour member for Adwick and Carcroft, told a meeting in January that fees like this ended up being a ‘false economy’, because it costs officers more to deploy staff to clear them from roadsides.

Guidelines show residents need to place the item they want collecting in an ‘easily accessible location’ outside the home within the boundary of the property.

Items must be left in a ‘clearly visible place’ in yars or gardens, not in a garage or outbuilding.

A council spokesman said: “Building waste including brick rubble and plasterboard, house fixtures and fittings, garden waste such as soil, stones and hazardous waste, liquid waste, car tyres and car parts are not removed on this service.

“We can only collect the exact items specified and all items must be left within the boundary of your property.

“If an item is collected using the bulky collection service, and it is considered that the item is reusable, that item may be resold accordingly through Doncaster Refurnish.”

Anyone wanting to use the service should visit doncaster.gov.uk/doitonline/disposable-bulky-item-collection