Richmond Council Bulky Waste Collection: Why It Costs £85 and What They Won't Take
Updated September 2026 · Prices verified 2 September 2026
Richmond upon Thames Council charges £85 for up to five items of bulky waste, plus £9.90 for each extra item — among the highest standard rates in South West London. A fridge or freezer costs even more, because it's booked as a separate collection entirely. Below is the full price list including the 60+ and low-income discounts, how Richmond compares to neighbouring boroughs, and every item the council flatly refuses to collect.
How much does Richmond Council charge?
| Rate | Covers | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | Up to 5 items, +£9.90 per extra item | £85 |
| Resident aged 60+ | Up to 5 items, +£7.80 per extra item | £29 |
| Qualifying low income | Up to 5 items | Free |
Standard rate: No limit on collections per year
Resident aged 60+: Capped at 5 collections a year
Qualifying low income: Capped at 2 collections a year
Source: Richmond Council bulky waste collection page, updated by the council 21 August 2026, verified 2 September 2026. Council fees are typically reviewed each April — check the current rate before booking if it's been a while since this page was updated.
Richmond is among the most expensive boroughs in South West London
An independent survey of London council bulky waste charges (July 2026) found Richmond upon Thames charging £85 for a standard collection, while neighbouring Hounslow charges £41 for a comparable service — a difference of more than double for the same job.
| Borough | Standard bulky waste rate |
|---|---|
| Richmond upon Thames | £85 |
| Hounslow | £41 |
| Kingston upon Thames | £48 |
| Sutton | £49 |
Comparison based on independent council-charge research published July 2026. Council rates change — verify current pricing for any borough before booking.
Why a fridge costs £74.90 to collect in Richmond
Fridges and freezers don't count toward your five-item bulky waste allowance — they're booked and collected as a completely separate service, because the refrigerant gas inside needs specialist handling. That separate booking costs £74.90, reported as the highest fridge collection fee of any UK council in an independent survey. If you're clearing a kitchen and think £85 covers everything, budget again: a sofa, a wardrobe and a fridge is really two bookings, not one.
What this means for a kitchen clear-out
Five general items at £85, plus a fridge at £74.90, is £159.90 and two separate bookings with two separate collection dates — not one visit. A single private carrier collection covering everything in one trip is often simpler and comparably priced.
What Richmond Council will NOT collect
Soil, stones and concrete
Any excavated or hardcore material — refused regardless of quantity.
Construction, demolition or preparatory waste
Rubble, plasterboard, and any material left over from building or DIY work.
Built-in kitchen units and baths
Fixed or fitted items are treated as construction waste, not bulky household waste.
Carpets and doors
Excluded alongside other renovation off-cuts.
Garden waste
Covered by a separate subscription service, not the bulky waste collection.
Pianos and organs
Refused outright — a specialist mover or carrier is the only route.
Hazardous waste
Chemicals, paint, gas canisters and asbestos need a specialist disposal route.
Items over 6 feet that won't fit the vehicle
Oversized rigid items are refused if two operatives can't load them safely.
Renovation jobs are the most common reason people end up here after already trying the council. If that's you, a licensed carrier will take it — use our rubble weight calculator to work out roughly what you're dealing with before you get quotes.
An excluded item, or don't want to book at all? Townmead Road tip
Richmond's household waste tip is at Townmead Road, off Mortlake Road, Kew, TW9 4EL. It's free for residents and takes most of what the bulky waste collection refuses — but it has restrictions of its own, and it's not a substitute if you can't transport items yourself.
Booking is essential — up to 14 days ahead online. Turn up without a booking and you'll be turned away.
Open Monday–Saturday 8am–4pm, Sunday 9am–4pm. Last van entry 3:30pm.
Cars and small vans only. Maximum load space approximately 1.7 × 1.5 × 1.2m.
Within the ULEZ — non-compliant vehicles pay £12.50 per day on top.
Tyres and asbestos are not accepted.
Limited quantities of construction and DIY waste are free for householders — but van-borne C&D waste is charged, and all visits count against a four-visit-per-four-weeks limit.
Space Waye, Feltham (WLWA) is also open to Richmond residents if Townmead Road is fully booked.
What makes a collection fail — and what it costs you
A collection is marked as failed — with no refund — if: items aren't put out, items are left somewhere other than where you stated when booking, items are left inside the property, the crew can't get into a secured area, or you present items the council doesn't collect.
No underground, basement or stair access. Items cannot be collected from underground areas, from basements, or by carrying them up or down stairs. Everything needs to be accessible at ground level at the agreed point.
If a collection fails for any of these reasons, you'll need to make — and pay for — a new booking. There's no automatic reschedule.
Council collection vs private carrier in Richmond
If you qualify for the low-income rate and your items fit the council's rules, book the council — it's free. For everyone else facing £85 plus a £74.90 fridge fee, a private carrier collecting everything in one visit is often comparable in cost and far more flexible.
| Feature | Council | Private carrier (RubbishBids) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £85 (5 items) + £74.90 fridge fee | From £40 — market rate, one price for the job |
| Collection point | Ground level only — no basements, no stairs | Inside your property, any floor |
| Rubble / construction waste | Refused | Accepted |
| Failed collection | No refund, book and pay again | Carrier confirms access before turning up |
| Waste transfer note | Not issued | Digital waste transfer note provided |
| Carrier licensing | N/A — council-operated | Every carrier EA-licensed, checkable |
Job doesn't fit the council's rules?
Post your job free and get quotes from licensed Richmond carriers.
Fly-tipping risk
Leaving items out without a booked collection isn't a grey area — it's fly-tipping, and it's traced back to your address. Using an unlicensed operator to dodge the council's price carries the same risk: if they dump it, you remain legally liable as the waste's producer. Full fly-tipping penalties and how to avoid them →
Frequently Asked Questions
Council won't take it? Get it collected anyway.
Post your job free and get quotes from licensed Richmond carriers — no phone calls, no obligation.