Bulky waste collection

Bulky waste collection service for households

We provide a free bulky waste collection service from households in the Belfast City Council area. This service is only for households. We do not collect items from businesses.

We will collect a maximum of seven items per household, per collection. You can request a collection up to three months in advance. The bulky waste collection service runs Monday to Friday. There are no collections on bank or public holidays.

Before you book your collection, think about other ways to dispose of your unwanted items:

• check if they can be brought to our recycling centres, which accept a wide range of household items.
• donate them to a local charity or not-for-profit organisation. Some may be able to collect your items for free.
• sell or donate your items on dedicated sale websites or social media channels.

Request a bulky waste collection

You can:

• complete the online form
• email wastecollections@belfastcity.gov.uk
• call 028 9027 0230

We will make sure we come back to you with the earliest date available. Depending on the items, you may have collections on different dates. Bulky waste collections may be unavailable during holiday periods. Check our holiday arrangements for more information.

For online requests, we will contact you within two working days of your request to confirm your collection date. 

We’ll send you an email and text the day before your collection to remind you.

What we can and can't collect

Items we can collect

We can collect a maximum of seven items per household, per collection, and will only take the items you tell us about. You will need to get your items ready for collection, following any instructions in the table. If you don't, we can't collect them. 

Items we can't collect

If we can’t collect your item, you may be able to take it to one of our recycling centres or civic amenity sites.

This table shows which items our recycling centres or civic amenity sites can take.

Get your items ready for us to collect

• Only put out items which have been requested for collection. We will collect a maximum of seven items.
• Leave your items out by 7am on the day of collection.
• You must leave your items where your general waste bin is picked up by the lorry. This could be at the:
  • front of your house, on the kerb
  • side of your house, on the kerb
  • rear of your house in an open space where the vehicular access is at the back, or
  • end of an entry, outside any entry gates (we will not collect any items in an entry or behind entry gates).

• We will not go into your property.
• If you are unable to put your items out, email wastecollections@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0230.
• Cover all items that are absorbent like mattresses, sofas and carpets to keep them dry. We cannot collect heavy, waterlogged items. We will take away all coverings.
• Dismantle and bundle any wooden items like wardrobes. If possible, consider taking these to a recycling centre instead.
• Remove all protruding screws and nails that could cause injury.
• Tape up any glass on items like television monitors, cabinets, or mirrors to avoid shattering and reduce risk of injury. If possible, consider taking these to a recycling centre instead.
• Remove all food and drink from fridges and freezers before collection. We cannot collect items containing food and drink.

The free bulky waste service is for households only. We don't collect items from businesses. There is a commercial waste collection for businesses.

Changing or cancelling your bulky waste collection

If you need to change or cancel your bulky collection, contact us by email wastecollections@belfastcity.gov.uk or call 028 9027 0230.

You can call us from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Opening hours may vary during public holidays.

• View our holiday opening hours