Backlog stops tips accepting fridges and freezers

Tips in Bradford are turning away fridges and freezers due to a shortage of space at processing facilities.

The decision follows Leeds City Council's recent announcement that it would temporarily stop accepting the home appliances at household waste recycling centres (HWRC).

Councillor Ian Walker, Bradford Council's executive member for neighbourhoods and communities, said it was a national issue affecting local authorities across the country.

"We understand this temporary change will be frustrating for residents who need to dispose of an old fridge or freezer and I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding," he said.

"The safety of our residents, visitors and staff must remain our priority, which is why we have had to take the difficult decision to temporarily suspend collections at our recycling centres and from individual households.

"Officers are working closely with partners locally and nationally to find a solution and we are doing everything we can to restore the service as quickly as possible."

According to a statement from Bradford Council, storage areas had reached full capacity.

It said: "Unfortunately, anyone taking a fridge or freezer to a HWRC will be turned away and asked to store it at home until normal service resumes again."

The announcement did not affect retailer take-back schemes or specialist waste collection companies, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

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