Problems with fly tipping is something that comes up regularly at Residents Group meetings and in local Facebook groups. Here is some information on where and how to dispose of unwanted items:
Bristol City Council operate a bulky waste collection service: bristol.gov.uk/bins-recycling/bulking-household-item-collection Book on-line or phone: 0117 9222100 – Check to see if they will collect your item and find out the cost.
Other places to donate or recycle
reuse-network.org.uk or recyclenow.com
Emmaus Bristol – Bedminster 0117 954 0886 will collect furniture.
The SOFA Project is a reuse, recycling and rehabilitation charity, they sell good quality second-hand furniture, appliances and homewares in three Bristol shops and on eBay. Contact them to see if they will take unwanted furniture. The SOFA Project
Dontate furniture to HappyTat. They are a LoveBristol run Community Enterprise generating income for charity
through the sale and up-cycling of donated furniture.
Sue Ryder: Furniture Collection Service Phone : 0333 0031883
British Heart Foundation: Furniture and household good collection Phone: 0300 3303322
Report Fly Tipping: bristol.gov.uk/streets-travel/flytipping or 0117 9222100
If you are paying someone to take your waste. Be aware. Bristol Waste state: Criminal gangs, ripping people off under the pretence of legitimate waste clearance services, are responsible for around 40% of the fly-tipping that blights our streets, parks and public spaces.
- Ask for a waste carrier registration number, check they are licensed.
- Check it on the Environment Agency’s public register at https://environment.data.gov.uk/public-register/view/search-waste-carriers-brokers or call 0300 065 3000)
- Check you’ll get a receipt. You can be fined if your rubbish is illegally fly-tipped by a third party.
- Find a registered scrap or waste dealer on the Environmental agency website.
Abandoned shopping trollies can be reported to the supermarket – they often carry information to return them. Or report via the TrolleyWise app.
Local recycling centre – the nearest recycling centre to Knowle West is a short distance on Hartcliffe Way: 83 Hartcliffe Way, BS3 5RN. They take any type of household waste, the site has bays for different types of items. A re-use shop sells various pre-used household items at low prices. You can also recycle plastic and metal coffee pods.
Opening Hours:
9am to 5pm Wednesday to Friday
8am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday
To use the recycling centre: book a slot at bristol.gov.uk. You must bring ID.
Small local recycling centres
Asda Bedminster for clothing and shoes. Sainsburys Castle Court and Winterstoke Road have recycling bins: paper, card, bottles, clothing (in car park) plastic bags (in store). Local Currys/PC World take unwanted or broken electrical items, you can recycle all your tech for free at any store – even if you didn’t buy it from Currys.
Garden
Garden waste collection service bristol.gov.uk/bins-recycling/green-garden-waste-and-composting or phone: 0117 9222100
How to compost garden waste: bristolwastecompany.co.uk/household/garden-waste
Get items repaired at the BS3 repair cafe
Monthly on the last Saturday. Bedminster Methodist church, British Road, BS3 3BW 1.30-4.30pm. The Repair Cafe offers skills in sewing, electrical, electronics, general repairs and sharpening. Bring items along and see if they can be repaired. Details Facebook page: BS3 Repair Cafe. Mending is free and there is a small charge for tea and cake, while you wait.
Fix a broken item. Find guides on how to fix things yourself on: ifixit.com
Sell or give away unwanted items that work or are reusable via Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace or Ebay. Giveaway for free on: Freecycle, Nextdoor and local Facebook groups.
House Clearance and Skips
There are many private rubbish/house clearance and/or skip hire companies. They will usually give you a free quote if you get in touch.
Recycling your rubbish at home – getting the right things in the right boxes is good for the environment. It also saves the Bristol City Council money. Bristol Waste say: “recyclable materials in the right containers can be sold, generating revenue for the city and reducing demand on public funds. In 2024, the recycling Bristolians put into their recycling containers earned the city around £4.5 million, money which goes back into the city’s essential services and reduces pressure on public funds. If those materials had gone into the general waste, it would have cost more than £8 million in disposal fees”
Find out when to put your bins out here: Collection Days
Find out what goes in which bins and boxes: What goes in your bins and boxes or check the image below
Order new bins/boxes and lids here: Order new
Photo credit: Northern Slopes Initiative
