26/08/2026
♻️ An Important Update on Refrigeration Recycling
You may have noticed that the cost of recycling refrigeration appliances has recently increased. We wanted to explain why.
The UK is currently experiencing significant disruption and backlogs within the refrigeration recycling system. A combination of fires, plant breakdowns and recycling facility closures has taken valuable processing capacity out of the system, leaving fewer facilities able to handle the volume of refrigeration waste coming through.
Refrigerators, freezers and other cooling appliances require specialist handling because of the refrigerants and other materials they contain. When the recycling chain becomes overwhelmed, appliances can’t simply be processed as normal — they have to be safely stored until the appropriate facilities have the capacity to deal with them.
This is creating a knock-on effect for businesses, appliance retailers, installers and local councils, with increased storage requirements, delays in collections and rising costs throughout the recycling chain.
Here at The Wash House, we have taken steps to make sure we can continue offering our recycling service. We have now secured additional storage capacity, allowing us to safely hold refrigeration appliances while the current backlog is gradually cleared.
Unfortunately, the additional storage, handling and recycling costs mean that we have had to increase our charges for recycling refrigeration items.
We know nobody likes seeing costs increase, and this isn't a decision we've taken lightly. We hope that by explaining the situation, you can understand that the increase is a result of circumstances affecting the wider UK recycling industry rather than something within our control.
♻️ We remain committed to disposing of your old appliances responsibly and legally, and to keeping the process as straightforward as possible for our customers.
Thank you for your understanding and continued support of The Wash House — especially during what is proving to be a challenging time for the UK appliance recycling industry.
The Wash House – keeping things moving, responsibly. ♻️
