Richmond Council announced on 26 October that it has temporarily paused its fridge and freezer collection and disposal service, blaming a national shortage of processing capacity. Residents in Barnes, Castelnau and Mortlake cannot book a bulky waste collection for these items or take them to the Townmead Road recycling centre. The council says no West London recycling centre is accepting them while the restrictions remain.
It asks people to store unwanted appliances at home and to use retailer take-back schemes when buying a replacement. Leaving one on the pavement or on public land may be treated as fly-tipping.
If a new fridge is on order, ask the shop to take the old one away on delivery day. Everyone else should keep an eye on the council's fridge and freezers page, which is where it says restart news will appear.
- Richmond Council has temporarily paused fridge and freezer collection and disposal services due to a national shortage of processing capacity.
- Residents cannot book a collection or drop these items at Townmead Road Household and Recycling Centre.
- Fridges and freezers are not accepted at any West London reuse and recycling centre while restrictions remain.
- Residents are asked to store appliances at home and use retailer take-back schemes; leaving them on the highway or public land may be treated as fly-tipping.
- The council notice gives no restart date and refers readers to its fridge and freezers page for updates.
Every factual claim in this story is linked to the evidence behind it. Where the newsroom has added judgement or framing, it is listed separately. Sources accessed 27 October 2026.
- www.richmond.gov.uk/news/news_october_2026/fridge_and_freezer_disposal_services_ (council announcement)
Claim by claim (5 facts, 1 editorial judgements)
- Richmond Council has temporarily paused fridge and freezer collection and disposal services due to a national shortage of processing capacity. — council announcement, 2026-10-26“We've had to temporarily pause our fridge and freezer collection and disposal services due to a national shortage of processing capacity”
- Residents cannot book a collection or drop these items at Townmead Road Household and Recycling Centre. — council announcement, 2026-10-26“Residents will not be able to book a collection or drop these items off to Townmead Road Household and Recycling Centre”
- Fridges and freezers are not accepted at any West London reuse and recycling centre while restrictions remain. — council announcement, 2026-10-26“fridges and freezers will not be accepted at Townmead Road or any West London reuse and recycling centre while capacity restrictions remain in place”
- Residents are asked to store appliances at home and use retailer take-back schemes; leaving them on the highway or public land may be treated as fly-tipping. — council announcement, 2026-10-26“Avoid leaving fridges and freezers on the highway or on public land, as this may be treated as fly-tipping”
- The council notice gives no restart date and refers readers to its fridge and freezers page for updates. — council announcement, 2026-10-26“Please check our dedicated fridge and freezers page for updates about when the service will resume.”
- Judgement: Asking the shop to remove the old appliance on delivery is the practical answer, and the council should say how long the pause will last.