A free bulky waste collection service has been launched by the council for some of the borough's residents.
Those receiving council tax support are now able to have large items removed for free, as part of initiative aimed at supporting lower-income households.
The scheme was approved during Bolton Council’s budget setting meeting in February 2025, with £100,000 set aside to cover the cost.
It officially came into operation in September last year and allows eligible households to book one free bulky waste collection per financial year, which runs from April to March.
However, the council has made clear that the service is limited and will end once the allocated budget is exhausted.
After that point, all residents, including those who receive Council Tax Support, will need to pay for collections in line with standard charges.
To qualify for the free service, residents must be in receipt of Council Tax Support and will be required to provide proof when booking.
This is typically done by submitting a current award letter.
If this evidence cannot be provided, the booking will be cancelled and the resident will be asked to either pay for the service or make alternative arrangements.
Alongside the scheme, Bolton Council continues to operate its paid-for bulky waste collection service, which is available to all households not eligible for the free offer.
Charges are set at £41 for up to five items and £82 for between six and ten items, with payment required by debit or credit card at the time of booking.
The collections are delivered in partnership with Bolton Community Furniture Store, which helps to ensure that items in good condition are reused wherever possible.
These items are then made available at affordable prices to people on lower incomes through the store.
A wide range of items can be collected through the service, including large furniture such as sofas, wardrobes and beds, electrical appliances like fridges, washing machines and cookers, as well as garden items including bikes and outdoor furniture.
Other household items such as carpets, blinds and ironing boards are also accepted, although certain restrictions apply.
Collections take place between 7am and 5pm and are arranged based on a household’s usual bin collection day.
Properties with bin collections between Monday and Wednesday will have bulky waste collected on Tuesdays, while those with Thursday or Friday collections will be scheduled for Thursday pick-ups.
Residents must book by 12.30pm on the working day before their collection.
The council has advised residents to ensure items are left outside on the day of collection only, positioned neatly so they do not obstruct access, and covered to protect them from the weather.
Bookings for the free collection must be made over the phone by calling 01204 336632, and each household is restricted to one free collection per year.
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