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 the isles special collections up to 31 March 2024 are detailed below.
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.
Special collections from commercial premises can be arranged by contacting Development and Infrastructure on telephone number 873535 extension 2320.
Eday
Week Commencing: 2 October 2023, 11 December 2023 and 26 February 2024
Graemsay
Week Commencing: 11 September 2023, 16 October 2023 and 22 January 2024
Hoy and Flotta
Week Commencing: 23 October 2023 and 29 January 2024
North Ronaldsay
Week Commencing: 9 October 2023, 8 January 2024 and 18 March 2024
Papa Westray
Week Commencing: 30 October 2023, and 15 January 2024 and 25 March 2024
Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre
Week Commencing: 13 November 2023, 8 January 2024 and 11 March 2024
Sanday
Week Commencing: 30 October 2023, 11 December 2023 and 19 February 2024
Shapinsay
Week Commencing: 16 October 2023, 4 December 2023 and 29 January 2024
Stronsay
Week Commencing: 30 October 2023, 4 December 2023 and 12 February 2024
Westray
Week Commencing: 18 September 2023, 13 November 2023 and 5 February 2024
