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Fridge Disposal Crisis: Gardens Overflowing
20 Sep
Summary
- Council fridge-freezer collections suspended due to facility closures.
- Tens of thousands of appliances are stockpiled at Newport Docks.
- Harmful chemicals in old fridges pose environmental risks.
A growing crisis is leaving households with nowhere to store broken fridges and freezers, with many reporting these appliances accumulating in their gardens for months. This situation stems from the closure of specialist treatment facilities and a widespread lack of capacity to process cooling appliances, as stated by the Local Government Authority.
The recycling company Unimetals filed for liquidation in 2025, resulting in tens of thousands of fridge freezers being left at Newport Docks. This has led to around a quarter of Welsh councils suspending household collections. Residents in cities like Cardiff have been trying for months to arrange disposal, only to be met with refusals from recycling centres and councils.
Campaigners and scientists warn of environmental hazards, noting that older fridges may still contain harmful chemicals like hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases. There is also a risk of toxic smoke if fires break out in stored appliances. Both Greenpeace and local authorities are urging the UK government to intervene and find a national solution to restore treatment capacity.
