Bedford Borough Council is reminding students and landlords to dispose of unwanted items responsibly as the end of term approaches, helping to keep neighbourhoods clean and increase recycling across the borough.
Each summer, waste from people moving is left on streets and in front gardens as students move out of rented accommodation. The Council is urging residents and landlords to plan ahead, reuse where possible, and ensure all waste is disposed of correctly.
Students are encouraged to separate their recycling, use the correct bins, and take extra waste to the borough’s Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on Barker’s Lane if needed. Items in good condition, such as furniture, kitchenware, and clothing, can often be donated to local charities, passed on to others, or sold, reducing waste and supporting the community.
Landlords and letting agents are also asked to support tenants by providing clear information on bin collections, recycling arrangements, and options for disposing of larger items.
Under the household waste duty of care, residents must ensure their waste is handled properly. This means only using authorised waste carriers and not leaving items on the street or next to bins where they can cause obstruction or attract fly-tipping. Failure to comply with this duty of care could result in a Fixed Penalty Notice of £600, while fly-tipping can lead to a Fixed Penalty Notice of £1,000.
Residents can also make use of the Council’s bulky waste collection service for larger household items such as furniture and appliances that cannot be reused or taken to the HWRC. This convenient, pre-bookable service ensures items are collected and disposed of responsibly, helping to prevent fly-tipping and keep streets clear. Anyone arranging a collection should ensure they use the Council’s official service or a registered waste carrier as part of their household waste duty of care. Find out more about the bulky waste collection service at www.bedford.gov.uk/BulkyWaste
Councillor Nicky Gribble, Portfolio Holder for Environment, said, “Moving out can be a busy time, but it’s important that both students and landlords take responsibility for waste. By reusing items, recycling as much as possible, and disposing of anything else correctly, we can all help keep Bedford Borough clean and reduce the amount of waste sent for disposal. Simple actions make a big difference to our environment and our communities.”
The Council’s website provides guidance on how to reduce, reuse and recycle more, along with information about household waste duty of care and how to dispose of items safely and legally. Residents and landlords can find out more at:
www.bedford.gov.uk/Recycling