Preston City Council Neighbourhood Services

   Refuse Collection

Neighbourhood Services operates a modern, efficient fleet of refuse collection vehicles which enable us to provide a reliable, cost effective service.

Every week over 57,000 homes in Preston receive a refuse collection, which means that over 3 million bins are emptied in Preston every year.

These bins generate over 50,000 tonnes of rubbish each year. But not all of it has to go to landfill.

You can help us recycle more than your waste. For more information on how you can dispose of bulky items of furniture please phone Neighbourhood Services on 01772 906784

Extra waste such as DIY or gardening waste can be taken free of charge to the Household Waste Disposal Centre on Tom Benson Way. For more information contact Household Waste Disposal Centre on 0845 0500957

   Bulky Waste Collection Service

The council operates a free bulky item collection service for large household items,such as tables, chairs, cookers etc.

There is a charge for collecting fridges, televisions, and CRT computer monitors due to their special disposal requirements.

The bulky waste service is available to anyone living in Preston. We will collect up to three items free of charge on each visit. It is limited to no more than two visits per year (approx one every six months not two consecutive weeks)

The service is only for large household type items. As a general guide if you would take it with you moved house, it is free. There are one or two other restrictions. Pianos are £65 for removal, this is due to additional costs for clearance. House clearances are priced separately. This service needs to be self-financing and that is why we charge a minimum fee of £40 (or £80 if the address is in a rural area) unless we are collecting free items at the same time. If we are collecting free items at the same time, then the costs are per item - usually £5.50.

We do not collect; doors, windows, skirting boards, radiators, boilers, plaster etc. for free. House clearances are priced separately.

   Fly-tipping

Fly-tipping is an illegal practice of dumping unwanted items in the environment. If someone is caught fly-tipping, or waste from their premises is found fly-tipping they can be fined up to £50,000 or face possible imprisonment.

Fly-tipping varies in size, but normally applies to a refuse sack size amount of rubbish or more. It can include anything from a single mattress to several truckloads of demolition, construction or excavation waste. Some illegal dumps, whilst small in size, can be serious, particular if hazardous waste is involved.

There are many reasons why fly-tipping occurs. In some cases it is just ignorance and lack of awareness of the responsibilities of proper waste disposal. However, there is evidence that a lot of fly-tipping is organised by professional criminals who can gain a significant financial rewards.

The clearing of fly-tipped materials is a District Council responsibility. If you see anyone fly-tipping in Preston, try to make a note of where and when you saw the incident, vehicle type and registration number and what waste was tipped. Report it to Preston City Council on 01772 906909.

Larger scale incidences of fly-tipping should be reported to the Environment Agency on 0800 807 060 - 24 hour freephone incident hotline.

   Graffiti

Getting Graffiti removed

Graffiti is illegal, spoils both public and private property and can be very costly to remove. You can report graffiti using the online form.

Graffiti and fly posting fines

Graffiti are words or drawings, that are written, painted or sprayed on the surface of any property.

Graffiti is a criminal offence carrying large fines given out by a magistrate, or up to £80 fixed penalty notice issued by the Local authority or police. If you see any one doing graffiti you should report it to the Council or police.

Responsibility for removing graffiti

PCC is usually responsible for removing graffiti from public buildings, street furniture or monuments.

Other items such as telephone boxes, bus shelters and electricity boxes are the responsibility of the company that has placed them there.

Your local council cannot remove graffiti from private households and other private property without the owner's permission.