Disposal of Old Washing Machine

Chomeur

Fifteen years ago I had to dispose of an old washing machine. I contacted the council (Camden) who sent a van around for £20 which was able to collect three items and I was able to share the cost with neighbours who also had bulky items to dispose of. No problem.

The washing machine lasted until now. This time, the council has "suspended" collections and appointed another service called clearabee to do it. But clearabee are fully booked four weeks ahead. I don't have a car that I can use to transport the washing machine anywhere.

So what to do?

(a) pay a private waste remover £60 to remove it? Given that Camden has an obligation to remove waste, would I have a right to sue Camden for this money for failing to fulfil its duties?
(b) dismantle the washing machine and dispose of it bit by bit with the regular waste?

This seems to be yet another example of the ways in which this country is going backwards.

Penguin_

Do you have a local scrapman? 

chrisw

Contact a scrap man who will come and take it away for free. Plenty on Facebook.

Norman_Castle

Chomeur said:

 Given that Camden has an obligation to remove waste, would I have a right to sue Camden for this money for failing to fulfil its duties?

No, they have offered an alternative. Scrap man might take it.

Chomeur

Norman_Castle said:

Chomeur said:

 Given that Camden has an obligation to remove waste, would I have a right to sue Camden for this money for failing to fulfil its duties?

No, they have offered an alternative. Scrap man might take it.

It's not a functioning alternative.

TELLIT01

The council haven't said they won't remove it.  They have a 3rd party working on their behalf but they can't collect immediately.  That's the real world I'm afraid - you can't have everything the moment you want it.

Section62

Chomeur said:

(a) pay a private waste remover £60 to remove it? Given that Camden has an obligation to remove waste, would I have a right to sue Camden for this money for failing to fulfil its duties?

What duty do you think Camden have here?

If you think their "obligation to remove waste" extends to your washing machine you need to do a bit more research before embarking on the legal route.

Chomeur said:

This seems to be yet another example of the ways in which this country is going backwards.

As others have advised, there are plenty of people willing to remove your washing machine for you at no cost to either you or the taxpayer.  All that is needed is a spot of online research to find out the best way in your neighbourhood.

Surely it is better that people who want to collect scrap do so for free, rather than you and the council having to pay for it?

So I'm not sure how you see that as an example of the country going backwards - it is a win-win scenario.

Chomeur

Asking on here is part of my research. I thought there might be someone on here who knows.

I have not succeeded in finding anyone locally who will take it off my hands for free.

Section62

Chomeur said:

I have not succeeded in finding anyone locally who will take it off my hands for free.

Have you posted it on Freecycle/Freegle?

Martin_the_Unjust

Chomeur said:

Asking on here is part of my research. I thought there might be someone on here who knows.

I have not succeeded in finding anyone locally who will take it off my hands for free.

Google broken again? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=camden+scrap+man&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

FreeBear

Are you purchasing a replacement ?

If so, the retailer you are buying from has an obligation under the WEEE regulations to collect and dispose of the appliance on your behalf. There may be a cost associated with this (I think the likes of PC World/Currys charge about £20). The alternative is to hire a man-with-a-van for an hour or so and get it taken to the local recycling centre.