Ilkley's MP intervenes over fridge and freezer disposal crisis

Robbie Moore MP outside the former Golden Butts HWRC

Following Bradford Council’s announcement that its Household Waste and Recycling Centres are temporarily unable to accept fridges and freezers, Ilkley's MP Robbie Moore has called on the Government to act over the national shortage of specialist processing facilities.

Bradford Council this week asked residents to store unwanted appliances at home while the issue is resolved, but Mr Moore warned this could worsen fly-tipping across Keighley and Ilkley.

In his letter to the Government, Mr Moore highlighted the growing problem of fly-tipping across his constituency, which intensified significantly following Bradford Council’s decision to close two local Household Waste and Recycling Centres in 2024, ‘Golden Butts’ in Ilkley and ‘Sugden End’ in the Worth Valley - which left around 75,000 residents relying on a single facility in Keighley.

Mr Moore has written to the Environment Secretary seeking urgent action to address the national shortage and asking how the Government intends to ensure Bradford Council reopens Sugden End and restores the service previously available in Ilkley.

In his letter, Robbie Moore MP said: “I am deeply concerned that the temporary suspension of fridge and freezer collections will make the problem of fly-tipping even worse in my constituency.

“As the Council’s announcement refers to a ‘national shortage of specialist processing facilities’, I believe there is a clear need for urgent Government action to ensure that local authorities have the capacity and support they need to manage this issue.

“I am therefore writing to ask what steps the Government intends to take to address this national shortage and support local authorities in ensuring that residents have access to adequate and reliable facilities to legally dispose of fridges, freezers and other household waste.

“I would also be grateful if, when responding, you could outline how the Government intends to mandate that Bradford Council must reopen the Sugden End Household Waste and Recycling Centre in the Worth Valley, as well as restore the service it closed in Ilkley.”

He will update residents once he receives a response.