New free bulky waste scheme for Derby set to expand

Pictured is bulky waste being collected
-Credit:Derby City Council


A new free bulky waste scheme could soon be rolling out across the city to help vulnerable, low-income residents and those suffering bereavement. But concerns have been expressed that many city residents could miss out on the offer due to the rules in place.

Derby City Council officers say they are looking to expand a new free bulky waste collection service across Derby following a successful trial project in the Sinfin and Osmaston areas of the city.

Last year, the Labour-led council introduced a scheme where hundreds of free bookable bulky waste collections were on offer for residents two weeks per year – one in spring and one in the autumn. Booking slots were available online on a first come first served basis.

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This was introduced as part of a commitment around improving the environment, recycling more, reducing fly-tipping, public realm improvements and making the service available to those who can not afford to pay for a bulky waste collection.

But a report says providing 500 free bulky waste collection slots cost the council “approximately £18,000”. The future of this scheme is under some uncertainty with budget proposals for the next financial year still to be decided.

Additionally, the council launched a trial “voucher” scheme to offer free bulky waste collections to those in need, providing a free collection of generally, 1-3 items.

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But the free collections can only be accessed upon referral. The referral can come from a local area coordinator, social housing or social care, and the scheme’s aim is to help low-income families, those who are socially isolated or vulnerable, including recently bereaved people, to dispose of their waste.

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At a Derby City Council communities scrutiny board meeting last month, it was said the “voucher system” was being considered for wider roll-out to more areas across Derby from April.

But questions have been asked about who is entitled to free bulky waste collections under this new scheme. At the meeting, Councillor Gaurav Pandey said: “Some residents may say 'why are only a few getting the benefit of the vouchers – what about the rest of us, why are we being overlooked'?”

But the council says it wants to “ensure the vouchers go to people who need them most” and said the council’s charges for bulky waste collections are “reasonable” in comparison to other local authorities.

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A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “The bulky waste voucher is a scheme which is accessed upon referral by a local area coordinator, social housing, social care, helping low-income families, and socially isolated or vulnerable customers, including those who have recently experienced bereavement.

“It is currently being trialled in Sinfin and Osmaston. The trial is providing a free collection of around 1-3 items and is being funded with £3,000 from the Sinfin and Osmaston Neighbourhood Board following feedback from residents through community conversations.

“The voucher is not a physical voucher. Referrals are sent through to the street cleansing team who have a spreadsheet and deduct the amount from the spreadsheet on the basis of the number of items that were collected.”

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