Special Refuse Collections - Households

Items too big for disposal into your grey refuse bin can be collected through our special collection service.

Charges for the special collection of bulky items are available from the Council Charges page which can be accessed from the 'Related Links' section of this page.

Special collection of certain exceptional/large items will be charged at actual cost and will be agreed in advance of collection.

Bulky Items

Bulky items comprise items you take with you when you move house, to differentiate between what may reasonably be considered trade waste rather than household waste. As such, a typical bulky waste collection will:

Include: Furniture, household electrical appliances such as white goods, rugs, garden furniture, bicycles and other portable household items.

Exclude: Carpet or underlay, kitchen or bathroom units (i.e. those that are generally fixed to the wall), doors and windows, fencing panels or gates, greenhouses or sheds, boilers or storage heaters, gas bottles, tyres (car, tractor etc), building or refurbishment waste materials.

Please note items must be able to be safely lifted by 2 people (or the item will not be taken).

Bulky items can also be donated to charities such as Restart Orkney or maybe you could try selling the item on the Orkney Merkit Place Facebook Page (Both links are available from the 'Related Sites' section of this page).

What is Regarded as 'One Item'?

One item is regarded as a chair, a black bag, a rug, a fridge, a cooker etc., a three piece suite is classed as three items.

Arranging a Special Collection

Book and pay for your special collection online. Alternatively you can contact Customer Services on 01856 873535.

The dates for the isles special collections up to 31 March 2026 are detailed below.

If you do not have internet access then please contact Customer Services on telephone number 873535 to book.

Bookings must be placed as soon as possible and up to 2 working days prior to the week commencing collection date.

Special collections from commercial premises can be arranged by contacting Infrastructure and Organisational Development on telephone number 873535 extension 2320.