House Clearance Surcharges and Why We Need Them

When we do a quote for a house clearance in Lancashire, we may have to charge extra for some items.
Mattresses, Refrigerators, Freezers, Televisions, Gas Bottles, Car Tyres, Upholstered Furniture and Paints / Chemicals are the most common items we may charge extra for. Not all the above items would be charged extra for. It is condition and type dependent.
Mattress Disposal.
Mattresses are charged extra for disposal for a few reasons:
- They are bulky and difficult to transport. Mattresses are large and heavy items, which makes them difficult to transport and dispose of. This means that it costs more to collect and dispose of them than other types of waste.
- They are not easily recyclable. Mattresses are made from a variety of materials, including foam, springs, and fabric. These materials are not easily recyclable, and they can be difficult to separate. This means that many mattresses end up in landfill.
- They can be a health hazard. Mattresses can harbour dust mites, mould, and other allergens. These can cause health problems, such as asthma and allergies. Disposing of mattresses properly helps to reduce the risk of these health problems.
- To encourage recycling. By charging extra for mattress disposal, local authorities hope to encourage people to recycle their mattresses instead of throwing them away. Recycling mattresses helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and conserves resources.
In addition to the above reasons, there is also a legal requirement to dispose of mattresses properly. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 makes it an offense to fly-tip waste, including mattresses. This means that you cannot simply leave your old mattress on the street or in a public place. You must either recycle it or pay your local council or clearance company to collect it.
If you are looking to dispose of your old mattress, there are a few options available to you:
- You can recycle it. Some local authorities offer mattress recycling schemes. You can find out more about these schemes by contacting your local council.
- You can pay your local council to collect it. Most local councils charge a fee for mattress collection. You can find out more about the charges by contacting your local council.
- You can take it to a recycling centre. Some recycling centres accept mattresses for recycling. You can find out more about these centres by contacting your local council.
It is important to dispose of your old mattress properly, both for environmental and health reasons. By following the tips above, you can help to keep your community clean and healthy.
When we take mattresses to the materials recovery facility, they charge us extra for them. All sizes are one price as far as surcharges go. So whether it is a Super King Size or a cot mattress, the surcharge is the same.
If a mattress is exceptionally clean and we can donate it, we will not add any surcharge.
Fridge Disposal Freezer Disposal
Fridges and freezers are charged extra for disposal in the UK because they contain harmful gases, such as CFCs and HFCs, which can contribute to climate change. These gases are released into the atmosphere when fridges and freezers are broken down or disposed of incorrectly.
To reduce the amount of these gases being released, the UK government introduced the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive in 2007. This directive requires manufacturers to take back old fridges and freezers for recycling or disposal.
As a result, local authorities in the UK charge a fee for disposing of fridges and freezers. This fee helps to cover the cost of collecting and recycling these appliances.
In addition to the environmental impact, fridges and freezers also contain hazardous materials, such as mercury and lead, which can pollute the environment if they are not disposed of properly.
The extra charge for disposing of fridges and freezers helps to ensure that these appliances are recycled or disposed of in an environmentally friendly way.
Here are some of the harmful gases that are found in fridges and freezers:
- Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs): CFCs are ozone-depleting substances that can damage the Earth’s ozone layer.
- Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs): HFCs are also greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change.
- Ammonia: Ammonia is a toxic gas that can cause respiratory problems.
- Sulfur hexafluoride: Sulfur hexafluoride is a greenhouse gas that is even more potent than HFCs.
By charging a fee for disposing of fridges and freezers, the UK government is helping to protect the environment and public health.
If a fridge is in good clean condition and in working order, we will not add a surcharge. We may even allow a value for it off the cost of your house clearance.
TV Disposal (old crt)
There are a few reasons why TVs are charged extra for disposal.
- They contain hazardous materials. TVs contain lead, mercury, cadmium, and other hazardous materials that can pollute the environment if not disposed of properly.
- They are difficult to recycle. TVs are made of a variety of materials, including glass, plastic, metal, and electronics. These materials need to be separated and recycled carefully to avoid contamination.
- The cost of recycling TVs is high. The cost of recycling TVs is higher than the cost of recycling other types of electronic waste, such as computers and cell phones. This is because TVs are larger and heavier, and they contain more hazardous materials.
In some cases, local governments may ban the disposal of TVs in landfills. This is because the hazardous materials in TVs can leach into the soil and water, contaminating the environment. If you are disposing of an old TV, it is important to do so properly. You can take it to a recycling center or hazardous waste disposal facility.
Here are some of the places where you can dispose of your old TV:
- Local recycling center: Most local recycling centers accept TVs for recycling.
- Hazardous waste disposal facility: Some local governments have hazardous waste disposal facilities where you can take your old TV.
- Manufacturer’s recycling program: Many TV manufacturers have recycling programs that allow you to return your old TV for free or for a small fee.
It is important to check with your local government or the manufacturer of your TV to find out the best way to dispose of it.
Gas Bottle Disposal
Propane and butane bottles are charged extra for disposal because they are considered hazardous materials. This is because they contain flammable gases that can pose a fire or explosion hazard if not handled properly. The disposal fees help to cover the cost of safely transporting and disposing of these materials.
Here are some of the reasons why propane and butane bottles are considered hazardous materials:
- They are flammable gases, meaning they can easily catch fire.
- They are compressed gases, which means they can build up pressure and explode if not handled properly.
- They can be toxic if inhaled.
- They can contaminate soil and water if they are not disposed of properly.
The disposal of propane and butane bottles must be done by a qualified professional who can ensure that the gases are safely removed and the cylinders are properly recycled or disposed of.
Here are some of the ways that propane and butane bottles can be disposed of:
- Exchanged at a propane or butane dealer for a refilled cylinder.
- Taken to a hazardous waste disposal facility.
- Recycled by a company that specializes in the disposal of propane and butane cylinders.
It is important to never dispose of propane or butane bottles in the regular trash or recycling bin. This could lead to a fire or explosion.
Here are some tips for safe disposal of propane and butane bottles:
- Contact your local propane or butane dealer to find out their recycling or disposal policy.
- Never puncture or cut a propane or butane cylinder.
- Never store a propane or butane cylinder near an open flame or heat source.
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that propane and butane bottles are disposed of safely and responsibly.
We are charged £50 per bottle at the recycling centre but you can take them to your local household waste centre for free in Lancashire.
Car Tyre Disposal
There are a few reasons why car/vehicle tyres are charged extra for disposal. We get charged extra at our materials recovery facility.
- Tyres are difficult to recycle. They are made of a variety of materials, including rubber, steel, and textiles, which makes them difficult to separate and recycle.
- Tyres take up a lot of space in landfills. They are bulky and can take up a lot of space in landfills. This can contribute to the problem of waste disposal.
- Tyres can be a fire hazard. When tyres are stored improperly, they can catch fire and release harmful pollutants into the air.
- Tyres can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. When tyres are left in stagnant water, they can become breeding grounds for mosquitoes, which can transmit diseases.
To discourage people from illegally dumping tyres and to encourage them to recycle them properly, many countries charge a disposal fee for tyres. This fee helps to offset the cost of recycling tyres and to prevent the environmental problems associated with their disposal.
In addition to the environmental reasons, there are also economic reasons for charging a disposal fee for tyres. The recycling of tyres requires specialized equipment and facilities, which can be expensive to operate. The disposal fee helps to cover these costs and to ensure that tyres are recycled in a responsible manner.
Here are some of the ways that old tyres are recycled:
- Re-treading: This is the process of adding new treads to old tyres. This can extend the life of a tyre by several years.
- Crumb rubber: This is the process of grinding old tyres into small pieces. The rubber crumbs can be used in a variety of products, such as playground surfaces, running tracks, and noise barriers.
- Energy recovery: This is the process of burning old tyres to produce energy. This can be used to generate electricity or heat.
By charging a disposal fee for tyres, we can help to protect the environment and to ensure that old tyres are recycled in a responsible manner.
Upholstered Furniture Disposal
Upholstered furniture is charged extra for disposal because it may contain persistent organic pollutants (POPs). POPs are a group of chemicals that are harmful to the environment and human health. They are not easily broken down and can build up in the body over time. The most common upholstered furniture Sofas Chairs etc are charged as POPs as these contain chemicals that persist and enter the environment and human food chain.
Some of the POPs that may be found in upholstered furniture include:
- Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs): PBDEs are used as fire retardants in furniture foam. They have been linked to health problems such as cancer, thyroid problems, and reproductive problems.
- Chlorinated flame retardants: Chlorinated flame retardants are used in furniture foam and fabric. They have been linked to health problems such as cancer, liver damage, and reproductive problems.
- Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS): PFAS are used in furniture foam and fabric to make them water-resistant. They have been linked to health problems such as cancer, thyroid problems, and reproductive problems.
The disposal of upholstered furniture containing POPs is regulated by law. In the UK, it is illegal to dispose of this type of furniture in landfill or by incineration. It must be disposed of by a licensed waste disposal company.
The extra cost for disposing of upholstered furniture is to cover the costs of safe disposal. This includes the cost of transporting the furniture to a licensed waste disposal facility, the cost of dismantling and separating the furniture, and the cost of treating and disposing of the POPs.
If you are disposing of upholstered furniture, it is important to make sure that it is disposed of safely. You can do this by contacting your local council or a licensed waste disposal company.
Here are some tips for disposing of upholstered furniture safely:
- Do not put upholstered furniture in landfill or by incineration.
- Contact your local council or a licensed waste disposal company to arrange for safe disposal.
- Make sure that the company you use is licensed to dispose of POPs.
- Dispose of the furniture in a sealed container to prevent the POPs from spreading.
By following these tips, you can help to protect the environment and human health.
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