The one-appliance-per-household limit for fridges, freezers and other cooling appliances at Somerset’s 16 recycling sites has been extended throughout September.
Somerset Council says this limitation has been caused by a continuing national shortage of UK reprocessing capacity.
People are asked to hold off taking appliances to recycling sites, if they can be safely stored, to help ease pressure until reprocessing capacity increases again.
Due to restrictions across the country, proof of Somerset residency will continue to be required when taking these appliances to a recycling site.
Alternative options for recycling appliances include:
- using retailer take-back schemes as the preferred route where available, particularly when buying a replacement appliance.
- delaying disposal of fridges and freezers for a short period where it is practical and safe to do so.
- if appliances are still usable, considering reuse options, including offering them on sites like Freegle or Facebook Marketplace, or donating them to local charities if they are accepted for resale.
The temporary limit applies to household users only. Recycling sites will NOT be accepting:
- appliances from commercial site users
- commercial standard appliances
- appliances containing ammonia
The council says the position will be kept under review and will continue September, with potential to extend, if national reprocessing capacity remains limited.
Appliances such as fridges, freezers and air-conditioning units need specialist treatment because they contain refrigerants and other materials that must be handled carefully.
More information about how to pass on items can be found via the Somerset Council website.