Lewisham Council is set to implement changes to its bulky waste disposal service, aiming to reduce costs and combat fly-tipping across the borough.
The decision was reached during a Mayor and Cabinet meeting on 22 October 2025, where Councillor Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Climate Action, presented the proposals. The changes come in response to resident feedback regarding the cost of bulky waste collection and limited access to recycling sites.
The single item pickup charge of £5 will be implemented once the website has been updated to reflect the new pricing structure.
Under the new scheme, residents will be able to have a single item, including mattresses, collected for just £5. Additionally, the council plans to extend the opening hours of the recycling site to provide better access for residents during weekends.
To further address the issue of fly-tipping, the council will pilot three bulky waste amnesty days in two of the most affected wards in Mabelingham. During these amnesty days, residents in those wards will be able to dispose of bulky waste items free of charge. These events will also provide an opportunity for the council to educate residents on how to book bulky waste pickups, proper waste disposal methods, the consequences of fly-tipping, and how the council is cracking down on fly-tipping and prosecuting offenders.
Councillor Krupski expressed her enthusiasm for the changes, stating that the council has listened to residents and analysed the cost to our service of the horrendous flight tipping occurring in our borough.
Councillor Krupski also thanked Seamus Adams and his team for their work on improving the waste service. Councillor Krupski congratulated him on his permanent post as head of waste, because he is working tirelessly to sort out the waste department and make it and his determination to make it work better for the people who count to our thank you.
Councillor Krupski's leadership on the issue was praised by Councillor Wash, who said, There is now no excuse why people should be flight tipping in Arbara, five poundly cheap and if you think about having to lug, I don't know, a sofa down the road, I'd pay five pounds to do that rather than to flight it. It's a very accessible price point and I really think this is exactly what we are about as an administration, about removing the barriers, ensuring that we're protecting our environment.