Somerset recycling centre limits fridges and freezers to one per household

Somerset Council and Biffa have extended the temporary limit on fridges, freezers, and other cooling appliances at the county's 16 recycling centres.

Throughout September, residents can only bring one such appliance per household.

The change is due to a national shortage of UK reprocessing capacity for cooling appliances.

Somerset residents are encouraged to store appliances safely and delay disposal if possible.

To help alleviate pressure, the council suggests using retailer take-back schemes when buying a replacement.

Usable appliances can be reused by offering them on platforms like Freegle or Facebook Marketplace, or donating them to local charities if accepted.

The limit applies to household users only; commercial site users and appliances containing ammonia are excluded from acceptance.

Proof of Somerset residency is required when bringing the appliances to recycling centres.

Refrigerators, freezers, and air-conditioning units need specialist treatment because they contain materials that require careful handling.

The shortage is attributed to a fire and other outages at treatment facilities, coupled with increased volumes during warmer weather.

The situation will be reviewed and may be extended if national reprocessing capacity issues persist.

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