'Postcode lottery' of waste collection fees could be making fly-tipping worse, says firm

The cost of properly disposing of bulky items such as furniture and fridges could be contributing to fly-tipping in Wrexham, according to a commercial waste management firm.

Business Waste said the authority charged the second highest fees in Wales with a minimum amount of £57.50 for a single item.

The fee is £10 cheaper than in Ceredigion, but more than £50 higher than the lowest amount in Wales, which is currently in Blaenau Gwent.

Mark Hall, from Business Waste, said the different pricing had created a "postcode lottery" for bulky waste collection across the UK.

But Wrexham councillor David Bithell said the authority's charge was "in line with the council's cost recovery policy".

Fly-tipping hit record levels in Wales in the past year, with 1.26m incidents recorded in 2024-25. Wrexham ranked seventh in Wales, with 2,335 incidents of fly-tipping that year.

According to the council, incidents of fly-tipping have fallen to 1,689 this year and they are expected to decrease further following the authority's investment in additional enforcement cameras to monitor key fly-tipping sites.

Wrexham's minimum fee for removing bulky waste is currently higher than the most expensive average UK charge.

On average people pay £46 in south east England meanwhile the average across Wales for bulky waste is £34.

Blithell added: "Most authorities charge for up to three items, we charge for up to eight items, including fridges."

In areas such as Cardiff, fly-tipped black bags have become a growing problem, leaving residents "horrified" about the impact on communities.

Hall said many local councils were looking to "explore strategies" to tackle the surge in waste crime and fly-tipping, but added there were stark contrasts in costs for the removal of items.

"Some councils provide a free or, in Wales, a very cheap service while the minimum charge from others is up around £50, £60, £70," he said.

Hall said council waste collections provided a "great option" for residents who struggled to transport items to a recycling centre and were an alternative to "breaking the law and fly-tipping".

He said they ensured the "streets are kept clean and that neighbourhood quality is maintained".

"That's why the service must be kept at an accessible price point," he added.