Norfolk faces buildup of thousands of unwanted appliances

Norfolk County Council is facing a significant waste management crisis as thousands of unwanted fridges and freezers accumulate at local recycling sites. Up to 3,000 appliances are currently being stored at the former Mayton Wood Recycling Centre near Coltishall, as well as other locations, due to a national shortage of specialized processing facilities.

The shortage follows the recent closure of three centers capable of safely handling cooling appliances, which contain hazardous gases and insulating foam. This lack of capacity has led producer compliance schemes to delay or halt collections from council sites. Consequently, the council has had to scale back the acceptance of white goods at several recycling centers, limiting availability to specific locations such as Norwich North, Norwich South, Caister, Dereham, Hempton, King's Lynn, and Thetford.

Council leaders are calling on the government to address the issue as ‘a matter of urgency’ to manage the buildup of hazardous materials.