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, 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 on the Mainland of Orkney
Book and pay for your special collection online. Alternatively you can contact Customer Services on 01856 873535.
Arranging a Special Collection on the Outer Isles of Orkney
The dates for isles special collections up to 30 September 2023 are detailed below.
Book and pay for your special collection online. Alternatively you can contact Customer Services on 01856 873535.
Special collections from commercial premises can be arranged by contacting Development and Infrastructure on telephone number 01856 873535, extension 2320.
If you wish to have domestic bulky items uplifted you can apply online via the Councils Website, see link https://www.orkney.gov.uk/Service-Directory/S/Special-Refuse-Collections.htm , 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, any special collection bookings received after 5pm on the Wednesday prior to the week commencing collection date will not be processed and will be held over until the next available collection date.
Please note that payment for collection is required on application and prior to collection. Only items that are on the request form will be collected by the contractor.
Special collections from commercial premises can be arranged by contacting Development and Infrastructure on telephone number 873535 extension 2320.
Eday
Week Commencing: 27 February 2023, 1 May 2023, and 24 July 2023
Graemsay
Week Commencing: 22 May 2023 and 11 September 2023
Hoy and Flotta
Week Commencing: 17 April 2023, 3 July 2023, and 4 September 2023
North Ronaldsay
Week Commencing: 20 March 2023, 12 June 2023, and 21 August 2023
Papa Westray
Week Commencing: 27 March 2023, 5 June 2023, and 14 August 2023
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre
Week Commencing: 13 March 2023, 8 May 2023, and 7 August 2023
Sanday
Week Commencing: 22 May 2023 and 21 August 2023
Shapinsay
Week commencing: 15 May 2023 and 21 August 2023
Stronsay
Week Commencing: 15 May 2023 and 07 August 2023
Westray
Week Commencing: 08 May 2023, 10 July 2023, and 18 September 2023
