What to do with household waste

Find out how to reduce, recycle and dispose of your household waste.

What to do with waste

Fridges/freezers

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Reduce your waste

A number of charities will accept fridges or freezers for reuse, or you could try your hand at repair!

These items are popular second-hand via platforms such as Facebook Marketplace and Freecycle.

Contact organisations directly to make suitable arrangements for your fridge or freezer.

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Recycle your waste

Can be recycled at a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC)

Cannot be recycled in your home recycling

Many retailers now offer take-back schemes when you purchase a new item - some will even accept old fridges or freezers without making a new purchase! Check the manufacturer website for details. It is likely that take-back schemes will differ from company to company and there may be a small charge.

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Dispose of your waste

Fridges and freezers can be taken to your local HWRC for recycling and safe disposal. Appliances should be brought whole, with no parts removed. Please see site staff for guidance on where to place the item.

Find a household waste recycling centre

What happens to your waste?

The contents of your household waste bin will be sent to one of three Energy Recovery Facilities (ERFs) in Hampshire, where it will be safely incinerated. Each year, the three ERFs generate enough electricity to power 53,000 Hampshire homes!

Mixed recycling collected from Hampshire households is sorted at one of two Material Recovery Facilities (MRFs) in Hampshire. The MRFs sort your recycling into different material streams to be recycled into new items.

Less than 5% of Hampshire's household waste is sent to landfill.

Find out more about what happens to your waste

It is your duty of care to dispose of your waste correctly. You could be fined an unlimited amount by your local council if your waste ends up fly tipped. Find out more