How to Get Rid of a Fridge Freezer in Nottingham
The quick answer
- Take it to the tip yourself. Free, if it's empty and you have a way to move it.
- Book a council collection. Free or £12.50 in Nottingham City, £24 in Broxtowe, £26.90 to £38.70 in Rushcliffe. Gedling isn't collecting fridges right now.
- Ask the shop to take it when they deliver your new one. Often there's a fee.
- Give it away if it still works.
- Have it collected by a licensed waste company. Often collected the same week, and often less than people expect, especially if one visit takes several items. Get free quotes.
A fridge freezer can't go in your bin, a skip or on the street. The gas inside has to be removed at a licensed plant.
September 2026: there's a fridge recycling shortage
Fires and closures at specialist fridge recycling plants have left the UK short of capacity, and dozens of councils have stopped or limited fridge collections. Locally, Gedling has paused fridge and freezer collections, and Nottingham City's Redfield Road tip has limited people to one fridge or freezer per visit, one visit a week. Licensed private waste companies are still collecting. Check your council's website before you plan around them.
Getting rid of an old fridge freezer should be simple. In 2026 it often isn't. Some councils have stopped collecting them, tips have limits, and a fridge freezer is heavy, awkward and can't just go in a skip. Here's every option in Nottingham, what each one costs, and which one makes sense for you.
When paying for collection makes sense
A fridge freezer weighs anything from 40kg to over 100kg for an American-style one. For a lot of people, the free options just don't work:
| Your situation | Why the free options don't fit | Better option |
|---|---|---|
| You live in Gedling | The council isn't collecting fridges right now | Licensed collection |
| It's upstairs or in a flat | Council crews only collect from outside | Licensed collection |
| American-style or large chest freezer | Won't fit in a car, needs two people to lift | Rubbish removal |
| You need it gone this week | Council waits can run to weeks | Licensed collection |
| Clearing a whole kitchen or property | Several appliances plus other rubbish | House clearance |
| Landlord or business | Council bulky services are for households only | Commercial waste |
It's worth doing the maths. Van hire, fuel, a friend's afternoon and the risk of a bad back add up fast. And a "free" tip run isn't free if you're turned away for not booking the van. A licensed collection means someone else carries it out, loads it and takes it to an approved recycling plant, and you get a receipt.
What you get for your money
- Carried out for you, from the kitchen, garage or an upstairs flat. You don't lift a thing.
- Often collected the same week, instead of waiting weeks for a council slot.
- No van hire, no tip booking, and no risk of being turned away.
- One visit can take several items: the fridge, the old washer, and anything else you want gone.
- Taken to a licensed recycling plant, with a receipt, so you're covered if anything goes wrong.
Your options compared
| Option | Cost | Best if… | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tip (recycling centre) | Free | You have a car or van it fits in, and someone to help lift | You load and unload it. Vans need permission. City tip: one fridge per visit. |
| Council collection | Free or £12.50 (Nottingham City) to £44.10 | You can get it outside and don't mind waiting | Crews won't come inside. Wait times vary, and Gedling isn't taking fridges right now. |
| Retailer take-back | Free to about £30 | You're buying a new fridge anyway | Usually like-for-like only, and it must be ready on delivery day. |
| Give it away | Free | It still works and is clean | Someone has to want it and collect it. |
| Licensed collection | Often less than you'd think. One visit can take several items. | You want it gone fast, it's upstairs, or it's a big American-style one | Costs more than the council, but they carry it out and can take other items too. |
Council fridge freezer collection prices in Nottingham (2026)
Who collects your fridge depends on which council you pay council tax to. These are the prices on each council's website on 25 September 2026, with Nottingham City updated on 19 October 2026:
| Council | Fridge freezer collection | Other appliances |
|---|---|---|
| Nottingham City | Two free bulky collections a year from 26 October 2026, up to six items each. The council also lists electricals at £12.50 for the first item and £7.50 each extra, so check when you book. | Same as fridges: free in a free booking, or £12.50 for the first item |
| Rushcliffe (West Bridgford, Radcliffe, Bingham, Keyworth) | Under-counter £26.90, tall £38.70, small chest freezer £33.30, large chest freezer £44.10 | Washing machine, dishwasher or cooker £26.90, microwave £25.80 |
| Broxtowe (Beeston, Stapleford, Eastwood, Kimberley) | £13 booking fee plus £11 per item, so £24 for one fridge | Same price. Items must be left outside. |
| Gedling (Arnold, Carlton, Mapperley, Calverton) | Not available right now because of the national shortage | Other electricals from £26 for the first item |
Every council's crews collect from outside only. They won't carry a fridge down the stairs or out of a flat. Prices change, usually each April, so check before you book.
Council not collecting, or can't get it outside?
Licensed local waste companies are still collecting fridge freezers, including from inside your home and upstairs flats. Tell us what you've got and we'll get you up to 3 free quotes.
Get free quotes →How to get rid of a fridge freezer for free
There are three genuinely free ways to do it:
- The tip. Free for households, as long as you can get it there. See the next section for which tip to use.
- Give it away. If it works and it's clean, the Reuse Network, Freecycle and local Facebook groups are the quickest ways. Many people will collect it themselves.
- Retailer take-back. Sometimes free when you buy a new one. More on that below.
Live in Nottingham City? From 26 October 2026 every city household can book two free bulky collections a year, up to six items each. The council's page lists electricals, including fridges, under its paid rates (£12.50 for the first, £7.50 each extra), so check when you book whether yours is free. Slots are first come, first served, and the crew collects from outside only. See our council collection guide.
Taking your fridge freezer to the tip
Which tip you can use depends on where you live:
- Nottingham City residents use the Redfield Road recycling centre in Lenton. Right now it's one fridge or freezer per visit, and one visit per week.
- Nottinghamshire County residents (Rushcliffe, Gedling, Broxtowe, Ashfield and the rest) can use any of the county's 12 recycling centres, including Calverton, Hucknall, Beeston and West Bridgford. Your car must be registered first.
Before you load up, know the rules:
- It must be empty. No food, no loose shelves rattling around.
- County tips won't take glass-topped fridges, commercial glass-fronted fridges, or fridges with the motor removed.
- Hire vans need temporary access arranged at least 24 hours before you go to a county tip. From 2 January 2027, every van will need a booked slot.
- Keep it upright in the car or van if you can, and tape the doors shut.
For opening times and everything else, see our guide to every Nottingham tip.
Buying a new one? Ask the shop to take the old one
If you're buying a new fridge freezer, the retailer has to offer a way to take your old one back when it's a like-for-like swap. Many will collect it when they deliver the new one, but most charge for this, and the price varies a lot between shops. Ask before you pay.
On delivery day, the old fridge usually needs to be empty, defrosted, unplugged and easy to reach. If it isn't, the drivers may refuse it, and you're back to square one.
Get free fridge freezer collection quotes
Tell us what you need collecting and where. We'll pass your details to up to three licensed local companies covering your postcode, and they'll quote you directly. It's free and there's no obligation to book.
Prefer to talk? Call 07348 454816.
Only hand your fridge to a registered waste carrier
Your waste is your responsibility until it's disposed of properly. If you give a fridge to an unregistered collector and it's dumped, you can be fined. Check anyone on the Environment Agency register and get a receipt. Every company we pass your details to is registered. More in our fly-tipping guide.
Getting a fridge freezer ready for collection
- Empty it completely, including the door shelves.
- Unplug it and defrost it for about 24 hours. Put towels down, as freezers can leak a lot of water.
- Take out glass shelves and wipe it dry. Some councils ask for this.
- Don't cut the pipes or remove the motor. That releases the gas, and tips won't accept a fridge without its motor.
- Tape the doors shut so they don't swing open while it's moved.
- For a council collection, put it outside where the crew can reach it, on the right day.
Washing machines, cookers and other appliances
Appliances without gas in them, like washing machines, tumble dryers, dishwashers and cookers, are easier to get rid of. The tip takes them for free, the council collects them (the prices are in the table above), and they're not affected by the fridge shortage. Our washing machine and appliance removal guide covers them in full, including the current rules on microwaves and small appliances.
Scrap metal collectors often knock on doors offering to take washing machines. Only let them if they're a registered waste carrier. The same fly-tipping rules apply. For a gas cooker, get it disconnected by a Gas Safe engineer before anyone moves it.
Getting rid of a sofa or mattress at the same time? See how to get rid of a sofa or mattress in Nottingham, or our bulky item disposal guide for other furniture.
Several appliances to shift?
One collection can take the fridge, the washer and anything else in one go, often for less than booking them all separately. Get free quotes from licensed local companies.
Get free quotes →Questions people ask about fridge freezer disposal
How do I get rid of a fridge freezer in Nottingham?
You have five options: take it to the tip yourself (free), book a council bulky collection (free or £12.50 in Nottingham City, up to £38.70 for a tall fridge freezer in Rushcliffe), ask the shop to take it when you buy a new one, give it away if it still works, or pay a licensed waste company to collect it, which is often less than people expect. It can't go in your bin or a skip.
Can I get rid of a fridge freezer for free?
Yes, if you can take it to the tip yourself. Nottinghamshire's 12 recycling centres and Nottingham City's Redfield Road site accept household fridges and freezers for free, as long as they're empty. If it still works, you can also give it away through the Reuse Network or Freecycle. Council collections and home pickups cost money.
How much does it cost to get rid of a fridge freezer in Nottingham?
Nottingham City offers two free bulky collections a year from 26 October 2026, but its page lists electricals such as fridges at £12.50 for the first item, so check when you book. Elsewhere, council collections cost £26.90 (under-counter) or £38.70 (tall) in Rushcliffe, and £24 in Broxtowe (£13 booking fee plus £11 per item). Gedling isn't collecting fridges and freezers at the moment. A licensed private collection costs more than the council, but it's often less than people expect, it can usually be done the same week, and one visit can take several items.
Will the council collect my fridge freezer?
Most Nottingham councils will, for a fee, but it depends where you live. Nottingham City, Rushcliffe and Broxtowe collect fridges and freezers. Gedling has stopped bookings for fridges and freezers because of a national shortage of fridge recycling capacity. The crews won't come inside, so the fridge must be left outside.
Why are councils not collecting fridges in 2026?
Fridges have to be degassed at specialist plants, and the UK lost a lot of that capacity after fires and closures in 2025 and 2026. Hot weather also meant more fridges broke. Many councils across England have stopped or limited fridge collections while the backlog clears. Licensed private waste companies are still collecting.
Will the shop take my old fridge when I buy a new one?
Retailers selling new appliances have to offer a way to take back your old one when you buy a like-for-like replacement, but many charge for collecting it on delivery. Ask before you buy, and make sure the old fridge is empty, defrosted and unplugged before the delivery team arrives.
Can I put a fridge freezer in a skip?
No. Fridges and freezers contain refrigerant gases and insulating foam that must be removed by a licensed treatment facility, so skip companies won't take them. Leaving one in a skip, a bin or on the street can get you fined.
Can I take a fridge to the tip in a van?
Yes, but in Nottinghamshire a hire van needs temporary access arranged at least 24 hours before you go, and from 2 January 2027 all vans will need a booked slot at county recycling centres. Cars just need to be registered.
How do I get rid of a washing machine in Nottingham?
Washing machines don't contain gas, so they're easier. Take one to the tip for free, book a council collection (free or £12.50 in Nottingham City, £26.90 in Rushcliffe), ask the retailer when you buy a new one, or have a licensed company collect it. Scrap metal collectors may also take one, but only use a registered waste carrier.
Prefer someone else to do the lifting?
If the tip isn't practical and the council can't help, Compare Waste Nottingham connects you with up to 3 vetted, fully licensed local companies. You compare real fridge collection quotes side by side, for free.
📞 Call 07348 454816 or get free quotes online here.
This is an independent guide, not run by any council. Prices and rules were checked on 25 September 2026 and can change, so check before you book: Nottingham City bulky waste, Rushcliffe charges, Broxtowe bulky waste, Gedling bulky waste and Nottinghamshire fridge rules.