Fridge limit imposed at town's tips

People in Rotherham are being told that they will only be allowed to drop off one unwanted fridge or freezer at recycling centres.

Rotherham Council said the temporary measure follows fires and closures at several processing facility across the UK, which has reduced the country's capacity to deal with unwanted appliances.

The authority has warned it could stop accepting such items at short notice if growing stockpiles can no longer be stored safely or legally.

The disruption is expected to last between four and six weeks, the council said.

Cooling appliances require specialist treatment because refrigerant gases and insulating materials must be removed safely before they can be recycled.

Rotherham has brought the limit in because it has to store appliances safely until collections can happen.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a limited number can be kept outside their designated storage areas if they are covered by waterproof tarpaulins and environmental rules continue to be met.

The council said its sites currently have enough space and stock levels were being managed through work with its waste contractor but warned that the additional capacity is "finite".

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