By Beehiveweb Newsroom
Merton households can now book one free bulky waste collection each year, giving residents a no-cost route to dispose of up to three large household items through the council service.
The scheme started on 1 June 2026 and applies to every household in the borough. Merton Council says the annual collection is intended to make bulky waste disposal easier, reduce fly-tipping and improve access to recycling and waste services.
The free collection covers large domestic items such as sofas, mattresses, fridges and other bulky furniture. Bookings are being handled through the council’s usual online bulky waste booking system, with slots offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Who can use the free Merton collection
The offer is available to every household in Merton. Each household can book one free bulky waste collection per year for up to three household items.
The annual allowance applies from the launch of the service on 1 June 2026. Residents who already had a bulky waste collection booked in June will still be entitled to one free collection in the year ahead.
Merton Council has warned that the new service is expected to be popular during the launch period. Extra capacity is being provided with waste and recycling partner Veolia, but residents may find that available slots fill quickly while demand settles.
Items that can be collected free of charge
The council has named several common bulky household items that can be collected under the free annual service:
- Sofas
- Mattresses
- Fridges
- Large household furniture
- Other large domestic items accepted through the bulky waste service
The offer is for household items, not general business waste or fly-tipped material. Residents should check the council’s booking process for item-specific rules before placing anything outside for collection.
How to book a bulky waste slot
Residents should use Merton Council’s usual online booking system for bulky waste collections. The booking process is the route for arranging the free annual collection and confirming which items will be taken.
The council says bookings will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Because the service is new, residents may need to be flexible on collection dates during the introductory period.
For residents who believe they are due a refund for a June booking, Merton Council says they should contact the Customer Contact Centre on 020 8274 4901.
Main service details for residents
| Detail | What Merton households need to know |
|---|---|
| Start date | 1 June 2026 |
| Cost | One free collection per household each year |
| Item limit | Up to three household items |
| Booking route | Merton Council’s usual online bulky waste booking system |
| Refund contact | Customer Contact Centre: 020 8274 4901 |
Why the change matters for local streets
Bulky waste collections can be a barrier for households clearing old furniture, white goods or mattresses, especially when residents are trying to avoid paying unlicensed operators. Making one collection free each year gives households a simpler council-backed option before items end up stored outside homes, dumped beside bins or left on public land.
The change sits alongside Merton’s wider work on street cleanliness, including an expanded pop-up tip programme. The council says every neighbourhood will receive that free pop-up service at least four times a year, while residents continue to have access to the Household Reuse and Recycling Centre at Garth Road in Morden.
Fly-tipping has been a recurring issue for councils across London and beyond, with residents sometimes facing consequences when waste is handed to unlicensed collectors and then dumped. A related Beehiveweb report on checking licensed waste carriers explains why households can still be exposed when rubbish is removed informally: waste carrier checks before paying for removal.
Councillor Ross Garrod, Leader of Merton Council, said the council had promised to introduce free bulky waste collections and was now delivering the service. He said easier access would help residents get rid of old sofas, broken fridges and worn-out mattresses while helping keep streets clean and reducing fly-tipping.
Source: Merton Council
Source check Source trail
This article is based on Merton Council's published service announcement and keeps the start date, eligibility and contact details visible for residents.
- Confirmed the service start date as 1 June 2026.
- Checked that the free allowance is one collection per household per year.
- Verified the stated item limit of up to three household items.
- Included the council's refund contact number for residents with June bookings.
- Source
- Merton Council
- Scope
- Merton
- Updated
- 2026-06-01 15:34
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