High bulky waste fees may be driving fly-tipping in Wrexham

Fly-tipping hit record levels in Wales in the past year, and a commercial waste management firm says the cost of properly disposing of bulky items such as furniture and fridges could be contributing to the problem in Wrexham. Business Waste said the authority charged the second highest fees in Wales, with a minimum amount of £57.50 for a single item.

The fee is £10 cheaper than in Ceredigion, but more than £50 higher than the lowest amount in Wales, which is currently in Blaenau Gwent. Mark Hall, from Business Waste, said the different pricing had created a

postcode lottery

for bulky waste collection across the UK.

Fly-tipping hit record levels in Wales in the past year, with 1.26m incidents recorded in 2024-25. Wrexham ranked seventh in Wales, with 2,335 incidents of fly-tipping that year.

According the council, incidents of fly-tipping have fallen to 1,689 this year and they are expected to decrease further following the authority's investment in additional enforcement cameras to monitor key fly-tipping sites.

Wrexham's minimum fee for removing bulky waste is currently higher than the most expensive average UK charge. On average people pay £46 in south east England meanwhile the average across Wales for bulky waste is £34.

Why does Wrexham charge more for bulky waste?

Wrexham councillor David Bithell said the charge was

in line with the council's cost recovery policy

.

He added:

Most authorities charge for up to three items, we charge for up to eight items, including fridges.

Hall said many local councils were looking to

explore strategies

to tackle the surge in waste crime and fly-tipping, but added there were stark contrasts in costs for the removal of items.

Some councils provide a free or, in Wales, a very cheap service while the minimum charge from others is up around £50, £60, £70,

he said.

How are councils and residents affected?

Hall said council waste collections provided a

great option

for residents who struggled to transport items to a recycling centre and were an alternative to

breaking the law and fly-tipping

.

He said they ensured the

streets are kept clean and that neighbourhood quality is maintained

.

That's why the service must be kept at an accessible price point,

he added.

In areas such as Cardiff, fly-tipped black bags have become a growing problem, leaving residents

horrified

about the impact on communities.