Bulky Waste - Residents FAQ's

Why are you doing this?

The service is still impacted by the Covid-19 emergency and in order to protect our staff there are restrictions on the way we can use vehicles, which means we need to operate a limited service. This means we cannot provide the service in the same way we did before. A request-only service allows us to manage the disposal of bulk items far more effectively and ensure that as much of this waste is recycled as possible.

How do I make a request?

Residents can use MyGlasgow App or make a request using our online form on our webpage.

You can download our app from the App store and Google Play.

If this is the first time you have used our online form you will need to register at myaccount.

We're sorry but we cannot accept requests from residents in high rise properties or properties with internal bulk chambers at this time. Residents should continue to use their bulk room.

What is myaccount?

My account gives you the ability to set up an online account using a single user name and password to access a range of online public services including some Glasgow City Council services. Read more about my account.

What kind of items do you collect?

Please visit our Bulky Waste Collection page for details of what we can and cannot collect

How do I request collection of special items?

We charge for some special items such as brick fireplaces. Please use our Bulky Waste Enquiry form to request this service.

How many items can you collect?

We will collect a maximum of 10 items per request

When will you collect my bulk waste?

When you place your request, you will receive an acknowledgement email to let you know we have received your request. When we have processed your request we will then issue a second email with a Collection Date. This is the day we will plan to collect your bulky waste.

Please note that this date may be up to 28 days from the date of request.

Where should I present my waste?

You should only present your waste the day before your Collection Date (please refer to your email).

Bulky waste should not be placed on pavements or lanes. You should present your waste safely within your own property boundary (e.g. your back court or garden) and must not obstruct bins or pathways. Large electrical items should be placed separately as these will be collected by a different vehicle.

An exception to this is if your property has no outside place. Only in this case please leave your waste outside adjacent to your property

Why are electrical items separate?

Our service follows the legislation on the recycling of electrical items. We collect these items separately and pass them on to recyclers. This avoids them going to landfill. You will receive a separate email with a Collection Date for your large electrical items.

How do I cancel my Request?

If you need to Cancel your request please complete our online form.

Can I make a request on behalf of someone else?

We're sorry but we are currently unable to facilitate this since there is no sure way of knowing whether such items are actually bulk waste or potentially valued possessions of a neighbour in a flatted property - we will continue to review this.

What happens to the items that are collected?

The bulky items we collect are taken to the council's appointed processing supplier where recyclable material is extracted from the bulky waste. This process specifically targets the capture of metals, wood, plastics, aggregates and cardboard for recycling.

Residual materials left at the end of the process are considered a Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and thermally treated as part of an energy recovery process to generate renewable energy. A small proportion of material which cannot be recycled or recovered is disposed at landfill.

Bulky Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) is kept separate from the other bulky material and processed through a compliance scheme. Contractors working on behalf of the compliance scheme collect the material, break it down to component parts, extract the recyclable elements and dispose of residual components either through energy recovery, landfill or hazardous landfill. Further details are available on the Lets Recycle website.

The council do not collect my bins from my back-court - where should I leave my bulky waste?

We have risk assessed some properties as unsafe or inaccessible for our crew to collect bins and bulky waste. These properties will usually have their large communal bins placed on the street instead of within the grounds of the property. Where this is the case with your property, please present your bulky waste no earlier than the day before your scheduled Collection Date in front of your property. Do not leave it in your back court as it will not be collected. Please ensure you do not obstruct the street.

I live in a flat - what does this mean for me?

From 10 December, residents in flats can make requests for bulk uplift. However, your landlord or factor may already have made arrangements for bulk waste collections so you may wish to check with them first.

I am a Housing association tenant - what does this mean for me?

Residents who are tenants of Housing Associations can make requests for bulk uplift. However, your HA may already have made arrangements for bulk waste collections so you may wish to check with them first.

I live in a factored property - what does this man for me?

Residents who have a factor can make requests for bulk uplift. However, your factor may already have made arrangements for bulk waste collections so you may wish to check with them first.

I live in a high rise property - what does this mean for me?

Unfortunately we cannot take individual requests from residents in high rise properties. However your bulk chamber will continue to be cleared by either the council or your landlord.

My property has a special room for bulk waste - what does this mean for me?

We're sorry but we cannot take individual requests from residents in properties with internal bulk chambers. However your bulk chamber will continue to be cleared by either the council or your landlord.

What about fire risk?

We encourage all residents to be mindful of where bulk is placed. We will engage with landlords of properties with internal bulk chambers to ensure that waste is managed safely.

I haven't received an acknowledgement email

You should automatically receive an acknowledgement email when you place your request. Please check your spam mail.

How do I contact you to enquire about my Request?

Your Collection Date may be up to 28 days from the day you placed your request. Please do not contact us until 28 days has passed, after this time you can contact us by using our Bulky Waste Enquiry form.

My Collection Date has passed and you haven't collected my bulky waste

We are working very hard to meet all demand while keeping our staff safe. If you have received one of the emails mentioned below please follow those instructions. If it is 28 days since you placed your request you can contact us by using our Bulky Waste Enquiry form to request this service.

I received an email saying you couldn't collect my bulky waste - why is this?

We may not have been able to collect your bulky waste for a number of reasons such as - it was unsafe, it was inaccessible, the waste was not in the described location, the waste was not as described. Please fix any issues and place a new Request.

I received an email saying you couldn't collect my bulky waste due to operational reasons and will issue me a new Collection Date. Why is this?

We are working very hard to meet all demand while keeping our staff safe. On occasion we may run out of time to collect your bulky waste. When this occurs we will reschedule your Collection and issue a further email. Please leave your bulky waste out on your property for collection.

When and how will residents throughout the whole of the city and surrounding areas be made aware of further service changes relating to COVID?

Information in relation to suspended services can be found on Glasgow City Council's website. In addition to this, service suspension information is provided using GCC social media channels, Twitter and Facebook. When services resume GCC will provide updates using these platforms.

What about fly-tipping, won't it increase?

The previous system allowed for bulk to be placed at designated collection points. However, this system was open to abuse and removing these points across the city will help us to identify fly-tipping more easily.

Will we see increased enforcement?

Fly-tipping is a form of antisocial behaviour, GCC can take enforcement action against perpetrators where evidence is available.

Is fly-tipping a statutory requirement of local authorities to resolve?

GCC and the police have statutory powers to address fly-tipping and can issued fixed penalty notices to those that are caught engaging in this activity. Residents witnessing fly-tipping should note any details, such as vehicle registration numbers, and report the incident online, by using the MyGlasgow App or via Dumb Dumpers.