Colchester City Council’s seasonal Saturday Household Drop-Off Service restarts in April and will run until September 2023.
This year, the drop-off service will be visiting 21 locations across the city, picking up small, broken or unwanted household items that are either not recyclable or not collected as part of their kerbside collection.
Items that will not be accepted as part of this service include items collected as part of kerbside collections (including garden waste), upholstered seating (including all seating with fabric attached such as sofas and armchairs), large loads, fridges, freezers or other electrical goods, hazardous waste such as asbestos, batteries, liquids or gas bottles or Business Waste.
Residents are advised to visit the Council’s website and look up when and where their nearest drop-off service is being held.
Cllr Martin Goss, Colchester City Council Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Waste, said: “We know that the Saturday Household Drop Off Service is a convenient way to get rid of things that you don’t want for free. This year, the service will focus on locations where our research shows residents are more likely to struggle to access the recycling centre, however, the service is available to all residents who wish to travel to the drop-off locations.
“We also have the option for parish council’s and housing associations to book a one-off session for their local residents. It is a good value service and cheaper than hiring a skip of the same size for their local communities.
“As a council, we are faced with a budget deficit and £10m of extra costs. The change to this free service, in visiting fewer locations and not collecting garden waste, is just one of the ways that is helping us to save money and closing that gap in our budget, whilst still continuing to deliver a good service to our residents.”
There are many charities and organisations that will take second-hand items, if they are in good condition, for free. Residents are encouraged to consider these alternatives to give unwanted items a new home, rather than sending them to landfill.
Residents are reminded that they now need to book a slot to visit the Essex County Council run Recycling Centre at Shrub End. Slots can be booked up to 2 weeks in advance. For further information visit: https://www.loveessex.org/news-and-ideas/recycling-centre-bookings/
For excess garden waste, composting at home is a quick, easy and cost-effective method of clearing away garden waste and making a free supply of compost to use in your garden. The Love Essex website provides information on discounted compost bins and how to create your own home compost heap.
Page last reviewed: 3 April 2023