How to Legally Dispose of a Fridge Freezer in the Borders
Written by the Handyvan Team
Licensed Waste Clearance Experts
Getting a shiny new fridge freezer delivered is great. Figuring out what to do with the heavy, broken old one sitting in your kitchen? Not so much.
You cannot simply throw a fridge into a standard hired skip, and leaving it in an alleyway is fly-tipping—a criminal offence that carries massive fines. Because fridges contain hazardous cooling gases, they must be disposed of according to strict WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) regulations.
Your 3 Options for Fridge Disposal in the Borders
1. Scottish Borders Council Bulky Uplift
The local council does offer a bulky waste collection service for large items.
The Pros: It is a legitimate, legal route.
The Cons: You often have to wait weeks for an available slot. More importantly, council workers generally will not enter your home. You are responsible for dragging the heavy fridge out to the kerbside by 7:00 AM on the day of collection.
2. Take it to a Local Community Recycling Centre
If you have a large enough vehicle, you can take it to one of the SBC recycling centres (like the ones in Hawick, Galashiels, or Kelso).
The Pros: It's free for household waste.
The Cons: Fridges are incredibly heavy and awkward. Trying to load a tall fridge freezer into the back of a family estate car is a recipe for scratched bumpers and pulled back muscles.
3. Hire a Licensed Waste Carrier (The Easy Way)
This is where local companies like Handyvan step in. We are fully licensed by SEPA (the Scottish Environment Protection Agency) to handle and transport waste safely.
Let us do the heavy lifting!
Don't risk your back or your car interior. Our two-man team will come directly into your kitchen, safely remove the fridge, load it into our van, and ensure it goes to a certified WEEE recycling facility. Fast, legal, and stress-free.
The Danger of the "White Van Man" Trap
If you post on Facebook asking for someone to take your fridge away for £10, you are taking a massive risk. If an unlicensed person takes your fridge and dumps it in a local country lane, you are legally responsible.
Authorities can trace fly-tipped waste back to the original owner. If you cannot prove you handed it over to a SEPA-registered carrier (by producing a waste transfer note), you can be hit with a severe fine.
- Always ask to see a Waste Carrier Licence.
- Always ask where the waste is going.
- If the price seems too good to be true, it is probably going into a ditch.
Need domestic or commercial waste cleared?
From single fridges to full house clearances, your local Hawick-based team is ready to help.