Bulky uplifts

Terms and conditions

Terms and conditions for kerbside collections of bulky waste

These terms and conditions relate to the chargeable bulky waste collection service provided by Midlothian Council (hereafter known as ‘the Council’) for the kerbside collection of bulky waste. They are subject to change at the Council’s discretion without notice.

What we will collect

• Bulky waste such as appliances, furniture and furnishings.
• Up to twelve items per uplift.
• Item/s that were owned by and previously used by the household or business address listed at the time of booking. An exception is made for shared uplifts where more than one household are sharing the cost.

What we will not collect

• Asbestos
• Waste from work done on your property by builders, gardeners and/or other commercial contractors
• Soil or turf
• Oil or paint
• Fire extinguishers or gas canisters
• Gas boilers
• Tyres or car parts
• Coal bunkers
• Petrol appliances eg: petrol lawnmower
• Rubble, slabs, bricks or hardcore

Cost of collection

• The cost for an individual uplift depends on the type, size, quantity and condition of the items to be collected.
• If your item is more than 2m x 2m in size and/or 50kg in weight, you must email bulkywaste@midlothian.gov.uk for a bespoke quotation.
• No discounts apply.

Collection days

• Items may be collected on different days.
• You will be allocated a day when you make your booking.
• We will collect standard items on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
• We will collect electrical appliances, battery powered items, sofas and upholstered seating on a Wednesday.

Putting your items out for collection

When:

• Put your items out by 6:30am on the date of collection - no earlier than 12 noon on the day before your scheduled collection. Items left out before this time could be considered flytipping.

Where:

• Items must be easily accessible to our collection crews.
• Put your items at the kerbside (the area where your property meets a pavement, footpath or road) or where you put your general waste bin for collection. Do not block access to vehicles or pedestrians
• If you have a shared bin store or compound or other collection arrangements, bulky waste items should be presented:
  • On a pavement area, or area of hard standing  
  • Next to your property, bin store or collection point
• We will not collect items from inside buildings – e.g. garages, garden sheds, bin stores or cupboards
• We will not collect items from between parked cars.

How:

• Items must be empty and any doors taped shut
• Items should not have protruding nail/screws
• Broken sheet glass (eg: TV screen or greenhouse glass) should be taped to secure any broken glass
• Loose items, such as individual pieces of laminate flooring, much be of a maximum length of 2m and securely tied together
• Carpets, sheet vinyl and articial grass should be rolled and tied securely
• Electrical cables should be tied securely around the appliance
• Bags must be securely closed
• Bags must not exceed a maximum weight of 10kg each
• Batteries must be removed from mobility / electric scooters / e-bikes and presented separately for collection

Assisted collection

• If you’re registered with our 'assisted collection' service, put your items at the front of your property as close as possible to the gate or boundary on a hard surface such as tarmac or drive
• Your items must be fully accessible to collection crews
• If we collect from your garden, we accept no liability for loss or damage to plants, landscaping or ornaments

Shared uplift

• If you want to share a bulky uplift with one or more neighbours, you must agree one person who will register and pay for the service and ensure all waste is presented on the correct uplift day/s
• All items will be collected from the address detailed at the time of booking

Refunds

• The service is non-refundable once payment is made
• If you present fewer items than you requested at the time of booking, you will not receive a partial refund
• If your items are being uplifted on different days and you change your mind after your first uplift, you will not receive a rebate or refund

If we are unable to collect your waste

• It is solely for the Council to determine if we are able to collect your waste on the day of collection.
• If we are unable to do so for the following reasons we will leave a card to explain why and you will need to remove any items from the kerbside.
• No refund will apply.
  • Item desciption / condition:
    The items presented for collection do not match the description given at the time of booking. If there is any change to the type, number, size or condition of items described at the time of booking we will not collect it.
  • Health and Safety:
    If it is not safe for us to collect your waste. Our collection teams will carry out a risk assessment on the day for each individual property and the waste presented for collection.
  • Duplicate items:
    If duplicate items are presented, and it is not clear which one is to be removed we will not collect the items.

Missed collections

If we failed to collect your items but they:

• were correctly presented for collection
• matched the description made at the time of booking
• were safe for us to collect

you must let us know.

• Email bulkywaste@midlothian.gov.uk by 5pm on the next working day following your scheduled uplift
• Leave your items at the kerbside or your designated collection point
• We aim to return within 5 workings days

Specific definitions:

• Sofas and sofa beds
  • “2-seater sofa”. Any small to medium-sized sofa / sofa bed. Length: 0-180cm.
  • “3-seater sofa”. Any large sofa / sofa bed. Length: over 180cm.
  • “Corner sofa” Any sofa / sofa bed designed to include a corner section. Sofas can be L shaped, U shaped, or even on both sides.

• Fridges and freezers
  • “Standard size”. Any free-standing, undercounter or integrated fridge, freezer or combined fridge/freezer designed for use in a domestic environment.  Includes chest freezers and mini coolers. Upright appliances: Maximum height 210cm. Maximum width 80cm. Chest appliances: Maximum length 150cm. Maximum depth 80cm.
  • “American style”, Any domestic free-standing or integrated double door combined fridge/freezer. Maximum height 210cm. Maximum width 100cm.
  • “Commercial”. Any commercial or commercial style fridge, freezer or combined fridge/freezer designed for use in a commercial retail or catering environment. Upright appliances: Maximum height 210cm. Maximum width 100cm. Chest or display appliances: Maximum length 200cm. Maximum depth 100cm.
• Mattresses, carpets and sofas
  • “Dry”. An item that, before 12 noon on the day before the scheduled collection date, has always been stored inside and has not been at risk of being soaked by precipitation (rain/snow).
  • "Waterlogged". An item that, before 12 noon on the day before the scheduled collection date, has previous been left outdoors with the risk of being soaked by precipitation (rain/snow) and/or water ingress from ground conditions.

To cancel your collection

• You can cancel your booking at any time. To do so, click the link in your email receipt or call us on 0131 561 5284.
• You will need your booking reference number. This is provided in your email receipt or provided verbally if you made your booking via our Contact Centre.
• For a full refund, you must submit your cancellation request by 12 noon on the day before your first scheduled uplift.
• No refund will be made for cancellations made after 12 noon on the day before your first scheduled uplift.
• Refunds will be paid back onto the card used to make the original booking within 10 working days.

Adverse weather, industrial action or emergency

• If there is disruption to our service, leave your waste at the kerbside
• We will collect it as soon as practicably possible
• No refund or rebate will apply

The Council reserves the right to cancel the service without notice in the event of war or other emergency, civil commotion, riot, or other circumstances outwith its control. In these circumstances a full refund will apply.

Use of your data

We will use the email address you give us to send you an:

• E-receipt for the payment made
• Email advising of any change to your service

If you have booked your uplift in a library using a library email address, you will not receive these notifications.

Information on how we collect, store and use your data (opens in new window)

Commercial waste

For commercial waste uplifts, your email receipt is also your Controlled Waste Transfer Note. It is a legal requirement for you to have a copy of the Waste Transfer Note(s) relating to the waste being collected.