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London Council Mattress Removal: Complete Guide to Bulky Waste Collection in 2025

Getting rid of an old mattress in London can feel complicated. Should you use your local council’s bulky waste collection service? How much will it cost? Is there a faster alternative?

This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about council mattress removal across London’s 32 boroughs, including contact details, prices, and booking information – plus a hassle-free alternative when council services don’t meet your needs.

How Council Mattress Collection Works in London

Most London boroughs offer bulky waste collection services that include mattress removal. However, the service varies significantly between councils in terms of cost, waiting times, and booking procedures.

What to Expect from Council Collection

Standard Council Service Includes:

Collection from your property boundary or designated collection point
Removal of mattresses as part of bulky household waste
Disposal at council-approved facilities
Booking required in advance (no same-day service)

Important Limitations:

You must move the mattress to the collection point yourself
Collection dates are scheduled by the council (limited flexibility)
Waiting times typically range from 1-3 weeks
No indoor collection or assistance moving heavy items
Some councils have restrictions on mattress condition
Collection may not happen on the scheduled date due to operational issues

Council Collection vs Professional Services

Council fees for mattress removal in London range from around £20 to over £40, depending on the borough. While this might seem economical, consider the total cost including:

Your time and effort moving the mattress
Potential time off work for collection day
Risk of missed collections requiring rebooking
Limited scheduling flexibility
No assistance with heavy lifting

Professional services like LoftClearance.co.uk offer same-day collection, indoor pickup, and guaranteed service – often worth the additional investment for convenience and reliability.

London Council Contact Details & Prices

Below is a comprehensive directory of London borough councils offering mattress and bulky waste collection services. Prices and policies are subject to change, so always verify current rates when booking.

Inner London Boroughs

City of London

Phone: 020 7606 3110
Website: cityoflondon.gov.uk
Typical Price: £35-£45 for bulky items (varies by quantity)
Notes: Items must be disassembled where possible

Camden

Phone: 020 7974 4444
Website: camden.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 per collection
Notes: Online booking available

Greenwich

Phone: 020 8921 8921
Website: greenwich.gov.uk
Typical Price: £25-£35 for up to 3 items
Notes: Free collection for residents on certain benefits

Hackney

Phone: 020 8356 6688
Website: hackney.gov.uk
Typical Price: £20-£30 per collection
Notes: Online booking system available

Hammersmith & Fulham

Phone: 0800 0599 925
Email: hammersmithandfulham@pinnacle-psg.com
Website: lbhf.gov.uk/bulky-waste
Typical Price: £25-£35 for standard items
Notes: Different arrangements for estate residents

Islington

Phone: 020 7527 2000
Website: islington.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 per collection
Notes: Charges introduced to manage demand

Kensington & Chelsea

Phone: 020 7361 3001 (Streetline)
Website: rbkc.gov.uk
Typical Price: £35-£45 depending on items
Notes: Cancel by noon the day before if needed

Lambeth

Phone: 020 7926 9000
Website: lambeth.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for up to 3 items
Notes: Online booking available

Lewisham

Phone: 020 8314 6000
Website: lewisham.gov.uk
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: Free service for pensioners and benefit recipients

Southwark

Phone: 020 7525 5000
Website: southwark.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for standard collections
Notes: Free collections available for eligible residents

Tower Hamlets

Phone: 020 7364 5000
Website: towerhamlets.gov.uk/bulky-waste
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: High demand area – book early

Wandsworth

Phone: 020 8871 6000
Website: wandsworth.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for bulky items
Notes: Online booking system available

Westminster

Phone: 020 7641 2000
Website: westminster.gov.uk/bulky-waste
Typical Price: £34 for up to six items
Notes: One of London’s most efficient services

South London Boroughs

Bexley

Phone: 020 8303 7777
Website: bexley.gov.uk
Typical Price: £28-£38 per collection
Notes: Serves South East London areas

Bromley

Phone: 020 8464 3333
Website: bromley.gov.uk/
Typical Price: £30-£40 for up to 5 items
Notes: Covering Bromley and West Wickham areas

Croydon

Phone: 020 8726 6000
Website: croydon.gov.uk
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: Serves South London including surrounding areas

Kingston upon Thames

Phone: 020 8547 5000
Website: kingston.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for bulky items
Notes: Online booking preferred

Merton

Phone: 020 8274 4902
Website: merton.gov.uk
Typical Price: £28-£38 per collection
Notes: Serves South West London

Richmond upon Thames

Phone: 020 8891 1411
Website: richmond.gov.uk
Typical Price: £62 for removal of three items
Notes: One of the priciest council services in London

Sutton

Phone: 020 8770 5000
Website: sutton.gov.uk
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: Competitive pricing for South London

North London Boroughs

Barnet

Phone: 020 8359 2000
Website: barnet.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for up to 5 items
Notes: Large borough with variable wait times

Enfield

Phone: 020 8379 1000
Website: enfield.gov.uk
Typical Price: £28-£38 per collection
Notes: North London coverage

Haringey

Phone: 020 8489 0000
Website: haringey.gov.uk
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: Online and phone booking available

Waltham Forest

Phone: 020 8496 3000
Website: walthamforest.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for bulky items
Notes: Serves East and North East London

East London Boroughs

Barking & Dagenham

Phone: 020 8215 3000
Email: bulkywaste@lbbd.gov.uk
Website: lbbd.gov.uk/
Typical Price: £25-£35 per collection
Notes: Email booking available

Havering

Phone: 01708 432563
Website: havering.gov.uk
Typical Price: £44.50 per item
Notes: One of London’s most expensive per-item charges; call between 9am-5pm Mon-Fri

Newham

Phone: 020 8430 2000
Website: newham.gov.uk
Typical Price: £28-£38 per collection
Notes: Serves East London and surrounding areas

Redbridge

Phone: 020 8554 5000
Website: redbridge.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 for up to 6 items
Notes: Competitive pricing for East London

West London Boroughs

Brent

Phone: 020 8937 5050
Website: brent.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 per collection
Notes: Serves North West London

Ealing

Phone: 020 8825 5000
Website: ealing.gov.uk
Typical Price: £28-£38 for bulky items
Notes: West London coverage

Harrow

Phone: 020 8863 5611
Website: harrow.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 per collection
Notes: North West London service

Hillingdon

Phone: 01895 556000
Website: hillingdon.gov.uk
Typical Price: £32-£42 for standard items
Notes: West London and Heathrow area

Hounslow

Phone: 020 8583 2000
Website: hounslow.gov.uk
Typical Price: £30-£40 per collection
Notes: Serves West London areas

How to Book Council Mattress Collection

Booking processes vary by borough, but generally follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm you’re a resident of the borough
Verify the mattress meets collection criteria (some councils won’t collect heavily soiled items)
Check if you’re eligible for free or reduced-cost collection (pensioners, benefits recipients)

Step 2: Choose Booking Method

Online Booking:

Visit your council’s bulky waste webpage
Create an account or log in
Select collection date from available slots
List items for collection (mattress)
Pay online via debit/credit card
Receive booking confirmation via email

Phone Booking:

Call your council’s bulky waste line during office hours
Provide your address and contact details
Describe items for collection
Select from available collection dates
Pay by card over the phone
Note your booking reference number

Step 3: Prepare for Collection

Move mattress to designated collection point (usually your property boundary)
Ensure clear access for collection crew
Place mattress out the evening before or early morning of collection day
Don’t obstruct pavements or public areas
Keep booking reference handy in case of issues

Step 4: Collection Day

Mattress must be accessible from the street
No indoor collections or assistance provided
Collection windows are usually full-day (no specific time)
If missed, contact council to rebook (may incur additional charges)

Common Problems with Council Collections

While council services provide an affordable option, users frequently encounter these issues:

Long Waiting Times

Most London councils have 1-3 week waiting lists for bulky waste collections. During busy periods (spring cleaning season, end of academic year), waits can extend to 4-6 weeks.

Missed Collections

Operational issues, staff shortages, or route changes can result in missed collections. Rebooking often means waiting another 1-3 weeks.

Strict Collection Point Requirements

Councils won’t collect from inside your property. If you can’t move the mattress yourself due to stairs, narrow hallways, or physical limitations, you’ll need alternative arrangements.

No Flexibility

Collection dates are assigned by the council. If the date doesn’t work for you, options are limited – and you may lose your booking fee.

Hidden Restrictions

Some councils won’t collect mattresses that are:

Heavily stained or soiled
Infested with bed bugs
Excessively damaged or torn
Wet or mouldy

These restrictions often aren’t clear until booking, potentially wasting your time.

The Better Alternative: Professional Mattress Collection

When council services don’t meet your needs – whether due to timing, physical limitations, or convenience – professional mattress collection offers a superior solution.

Why Choose LoftClearance.co.uk for Mattress Removal

Same-Day Service Available Don’t wait weeks for collection. We offer same-day and next-day appointments across London, Brighton, Kent, Sussex, and the Southeast.

Complete Indoor Service We collect from anywhere in your property – bedroom, loft, basement, or flat. No need to struggle with stairs or narrow hallways.

Guaranteed Collection Your appointment is guaranteed. We arrive when scheduled and complete the collection – no missed appointments or rebooking hassles.

Flexible Scheduling Choose the date and time that works for you, including evenings and weekends.

Eco-Friendly Disposal We prioritize recycling and responsible disposal, diverting mattresses from landfill wherever possible.

Transparent Pricing Clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees. Compare our rates with council services plus your time and effort – we’re often the better value.

Our Service Areas

London Coverage:

All 32 London boroughs
Same-day service available in most areas
Including South London: Croydon, Bromley, West Wickham, Sutton
Central, North, East, and West London

Beyond London:

Brighton & Hove
Horsham and West Sussex
Kent including Dartford, Maidstone, Canterbury, Sevenoaks
Surrey and surrounding areas
Essex and Hertfordshire

Simple Booking Process

Step 1: Get an instant quote online at LoftClearance.co.uk or call us Step 2: Choose your collection date and time Step 3:We arrive, collect your mattress from anywhere in your property Step 4: Receive documentation confirming responsible disposal

No waiting, no hassle, no heavy lifting required.

Mattress Disposal Costs: Council vs Professional Services

Let’s compare the real costs:

Council Collection

Direct cost: £20-£45 (varies by borough)
Your time: 2-4 hours (moving mattress, waiting at home)
Waiting time: 1-3 weeks
Physical effort: High (moving heavy mattress yourself)
Flexibility: Low (assigned collection date)
Guarantee: None (collections can be missed)
Total value: Lower convenience despite lower price

Professional Service (LoftClearance.co.uk)

Direct cost: £30-£70 (average £50)
Your time: 15 minutes (to arrange and be present)
Waiting time: Same-day or next-day available
Physical effort: None (we handle everything)
Flexibility: High (choose your date and time)
Guarantee: Yes (guaranteed collection)
Total value: Superior convenience and reliability

For an additional £10-30, professional services save hours of your time, eliminate physical strain, and provide flexible, guaranteed collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can councils collect any mattress? Most councils have restrictions on condition. They typically won’t collect mattresses that are heavily soiled, infested, or damaged beyond normal wear.

How long does council collection take? Booking to collection typically takes 1-3 weeks, though this extends during busy periods.

What if the council misses my collection? Contact them immediately to rebook. Some councils offer refunds or free rebooking, but you’ll wait another 1-3 weeks.

Can I get same-day mattress collection in London? Not through council services. Professional companies like LoftClearance.co.uk offer same-day collection across London and the Southeast.

Do I need to be home for council collection? Not necessarily – mattresses must be at your property boundary, accessible from the street. However, you’re responsible for placing them there.

Are there free mattress collection options? Some councils offer free collections for pensioners and benefit recipients. Charities may collect mattresses in good condition.

How much does professional mattress collection cost? Typically £30-£70 depending on location and service. LoftClearance.co.uk provides instant quotes with transparent pricing.

Can mattresses be recycled? Yes! Mattresses contain valuable materials (metal springs, foam, fabric) that can be recycled. Professional services maximize recycling rates.

Book Your Hassle-Free Mattress Collection Today

Don’t struggle with heavy mattresses or wait weeks for council collection. LoftClearance.co.uk provides fast, reliable, professional mattress removal across London and the Southeast.

Why Choose Us?

✅ Same-day collection available – No waiting weeks for council slots ✅ Complete indoor service – We collect from any room in your property ✅ Fully licensed and insured – Total peace of mind ✅ Eco-friendly disposal – Maximum recycling, minimal landfill ✅ Transparent pricing – No hidden fees or surprises ✅ Professional service – Courteous, uniformed staff ✅ Guaranteed appointments – We arrive when scheduled ✅ Flexible scheduling – Including evenings and weekends

Get Your Free Quote Now

Visit LoftClearance.co.uk or call us today for an instant quote. Our friendly team is ready to help with your mattress removal needs across London, Brighton, Kent, Sussex, and throughout the Southeast.

Fast. Reliable. Professional. Eco-Friendly.

Stop struggling with council bureaucracy and long waits. Get your old mattress collected today with LoftClearance.co.uk – the smarter choice for mattress removal in London and beyond.