Sorting paper, glass and everyday plastics is easy enough. But what about items that don’t fit into a kerbside scheme—like mattresses, fridges, or old cables? These often sit in garages or get thrown into skips simply because people assume they can’t be recycled.

At Eco-Power Group, we know these assumptions are common. Our facilities in South Yorkshire and Humberside are designed to recover recyclable materials and turn suitable residuals into alternative fuels such as SRF and RDF. The challenge starts with understanding what’s accepted and how to prepare it.

A quick call to your waste provider before booking can save time, money, and confusion. Here are five everyday items that can be handled responsibly, often in ways people don’t expect.

Mattresses

Mattresses are one of the most common items people hesitate to dispose of. They’re large, heavy, and difficult to fit into a skip. Yet most mattresses are built from materials that can be dismantled and reused. The metal springs can be melted down for new products, while foam and textiles can be shredded for padding, insulation, or even processed into fuel if they’re too degraded for recycling.

Recycling rates have improved, but there’s still a gap: the National Bed Federation’s 2022 report estimates only about 24% of mattresses are collected for recycling in the UK, with just 14% fully recycled after processing. This highlights the need for proper disposal routes rather than sending them to landfill.

Most skip providers will take mattresses by prior arrangement and for an extra charge. This cost reflects the specialist handling they require, from deconstruction to sorting and cleaning materials for reuse. Failing to separate a mattress from other waste can slow down the process and raise disposal costs.

If you have several mattresses—for example, after a rental property changeover—it’s worth asking about dedicated collections. Many waste providers offer separate containers or targeted pickups to ensure efficient processing. This approach saves time and avoids the risk of mattresses being rejected if they’re mixed with other materials.

Electrical Items and Cables

That tangle of old phone chargers, broken headphones, and outdated tablets sitting in a drawer isn’t just clutter. These small electronics contain valuable metals like copper, aluminium, and even trace amounts of gold. Without proper recycling, these resources are lost—and hazardous components, such as lithium batteries, can cause fires if they end up in general waste.

Material Focus estimates there are about 880 million unused electrical items in UK homes—roughly 30 per household—and around 2 million tonnes of WEEE is discarded each year. That’s a staggering amount of recoverable material that too often ends up in the wrong place.

Some skip providers accept small electronics for a fee, but requirements vary. They may ask for items to be separated or packed in a box to keep them intact during collection. For just a few items, council-run drop-off points or retailer take-back schemes are typically the simplest option. Many electronics shops now operate recycling bins for small devices.

For larger clear-outs, such as an office move, arranging a bulk electronics pickup ensures proper processing and saves time. Some providers work directly with certified WEEE facilities, where devices are dismantled and their components recovered.

Cables are worth keeping separate too. Their copper cores can be stripped and reused. Place them in a clearly marked bag or box if your waste provider requests it—this avoids tangling with other materials and improves recovery rates.

White Goods (Fridges and Freezers)

Fridges, freezers, and other white goods require careful handling. They contain refrigerants and insulation foams that must be removed safely to prevent environmental harm. That’s why these appliances are always listed as chargeable items when booking waste services.

When scheduling a collection, ask how your provider will manage the appliance. Some send it intact to a certified facility, while others work with specialist contractors who handle the removal of hazardous components. Both methods are compliant; what you should avoid is attempting to dismantle the appliance yourself, as this can release harmful gases.

For households replacing multiple units, such as during a kitchen renovation, a single scheduled pickup is often cheaper and more efficient than multiple trips. Businesses and landlords also benefit from having clear documentation of how their appliances were processed.

If possible, clean and empty the appliance before disposal. A dry, food-free unit is safer to handle and speeds up its journey through the recycling process.

Tyres

Tyres are one of the trickiest household items to dispose of because they’re rarely accepted in kerbside collections. Yet they’re far from useless once removed from a vehicle. Properly processed, tyres can be shredded to produce crumb rubber for sports surfaces, playground flooring, and equestrian arenas. Some are used in civil engineering as lightweight fill, while others are converted into energy through controlled fuel streams.

The Tyre Recovery Association reports that more than 40 million used tyres are processed in the UK each year, highlighting how well-established recycling routes are—as long as tyres are separated and pre-booked.

Most skip companies will collect tyres only if arranged in advance and at an additional cost, as they require separate handling. This fee typically covers transportation to a specialist processor where the steel, fabric, and rubber are separated for reuse.

For households with just a couple of tyres, council-run recycling centres or tyre retailers are often the simplest solution. Many councils in South Yorkshire and Humberside accept tyres for a small fee, but it’s important to confirm local rules since limits and costs vary. Retailers may also offer a take-back service when you purchase new tyres.

The “Unrecyclable” Remainder

There’s always some leftover waste after recyclables are removed. Many assume it all goes to landfill. In many modern facilities, including Eco-Power Group’s, much of it is processed into alternative fuels such as SRF and RDF.

Clean, separated materials remain the best option for both cost and recovery rates. But when recycling isn’t possible, converting waste into fuel is a far better outcome.

Ask your provider how residuals are treated and which diversion routes they use. Clear answers usually signal a reliable operator.

Before You Book

A quick checklist helps:

• Which tricky items (mattresses, tyres, white goods, small electricals) are accepted and which need pre‑agreement?

• How should they be presented?

• What charges apply?

• How are residuals treated after recyclables are removed?

• Are there any items they will not take under any circumstances?

  
  

Eco-Power Group accepts certain chargeable items by prior arrangement and operates facilities that recover materials and convert suitable residuals into alternative fuels. For households and small businesses looking to avoid landfill, this can make a big difference.

You don’t have to get everything perfect—just asking a few smart questions can go a long way.