Somerset fridge recycling limit enters final week

By Laura Linham 24th Aug 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 2 minutes ago

Somerset residents planning a clear-out over the Bank Holiday are being reminded that restrictions on fridge and freezer recycling remain in place across the county.

Throughout August, households are limited to taking one fridge, freezer or other cooling appliance to any of Somerset's 16 recycling centres, including the sites serving Wells and Street. Proof of address is required when disposing of an appliance.

The temporary restriction was introduced by Somerset Council and recycling site operator Biffa following a national shortage of capacity at specialist facilities which process old cooling appliances.

The shortage is understood to have been caused by a combination of a fire and other unplanned outages at specialist treatment plants, alongside increased demand during warmer weather as more fridges and freezers fail or are replaced.

That means anyone hoping to dispose of several old appliances in one heroic tip run will have to rethink the plan for the time being.

Residents are being asked to delay taking unwanted cooling appliances to recycling centres where they can be stored safely and practically until pressure on the national treatment network eases.

Other options include asking retailers to take away an old appliance when delivering a replacement, using legitimate reuse services where an appliance is still working, or donating suitable items to organisations which accept electrical goods for resale.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, Somerset Council's lead member for communities, environment and climate change, said the restriction was needed to keep recycling sites operating safely and fairly while specialist treatment capacity recovers.

The council has said the position is being kept under review. Although the restriction was introduced for August, it has warned that it could continue beyond the end of the month if problems with national processing capacity remain.

The limit applies to household users, with cooling appliances currently not being accepted from commercial users at the recycling sites.

Fridges, freezers and air-conditioning units require specialist processing because refrigerants and other materials inside them have to be treated carefully rather than simply being disposed of alongside ordinary electrical waste.

Somerset has 16 recycling centres across the county. Wells residents can use the site at Dulcote Hill Quarry, while the Street recycling centre is on Farm Lane.

Residents can check opening hours and recycling centre information through Somerset Council's recycling site directory.