How should I get rid of a washing machine?

[katiesara]

That's about it really! I have a broken machine, I've brought a new one from an auction site that state they don't take old appliances away. My local tip don't take them, even if they did it certainly wouldn't fit in my car - anyone had a similar problem??

[gazzawazza]

You can ring the local council's environmental health department and ask them to pick it up.

[katiesara]

I've emailed the district council recycling dept, do you really think they'll come and get it??

[xyzzy@bok]

i expect you'll have to pay; this is why we now got fridge mountains and cars dumped in the countryside.

[sddsddean]

As a guide, our local council charges �11 to take away up to 3 'large' items. They usually pick up within 10 days.

[gazzawazza]

Well, I suppose it depends where you are, going on sddsddean's answer.

I usually take anything I don't need to the tip myself, but I do know that around here, (Teesside) the council pick up rubbish free but it may be a couple of days before they appear.

[Ember]

East Lothian pick up any amount free but it costs �1.50 per minute to phone with the request. Most local tips have a white goods corner in the yard, but if you have no car its a problem getting it there. I left my fridge out for the local council. I put it out at 2 o'clock and when I took the dog a walk at 4 o'clock some nice person had decided they liked the look of it and had whizzed it away. Try that.

[gazzawazza]

Yep, you can also try PG's approach here too!

I don't know about other areas but around here we still have active rag and bone men, although they now have pick-up trucks instead of horse and carts. They phased them out a couple of years ago...

[katiesara]

I would have loved PG's approach, unfortunately I live in a small street in the middle of nowhere, the washing machine would be wider than the pavement! My local council are coming to collect it - charging �12, however first they are posting me a form to fill in - I knew it wouldn't be easy!!