Bulky waste collection of reusable items with Emmaus
Lambeth Council is proud to announce the Emmaus free reusable bulky collection service, that will help to encourage more reuse of unwanted but reusable items and support a good cause at the same time. Items collected by Emmaus will be resold to help people who have experienced homelessness.
The Emmaus reusable bulky collection service is offered to all residents of Lambeth, including those on estates.
Book an Emmaus bulky waste collection
Collections take place on Monday and Tuesday every week, between 1:30pm and 4:30pm.
You will only be able to book a collection up to 6 weeks in advance to minimise ‘no-show’ collections.
What items Emmaus collects
Item must be in a reusable condition, free from marks, stains, rust and with no missing parts, as it will be resold at one of Emmaus’ shops.
Items that aren’t in a reusable condition won’t be collected by crews.
Items eligible for this service include:
- dining tables and chair sets (not upholstered)
- wardrobes
- bed frames (not upholstered)
- chest of drawers
- bedside cabinets
- office furniture (not upholstered)
- chairs (not upholstered)
Items not eligible for this service include:
- electrical items
- upholstered furniture
- items not in a reusable condition
Please note: this is not a complete list.
If your bulky item is upholstered, electrical or isn’t in a reusable condition, you can take it to one of our reuse and recycling centres.
If your bulky item cannot be recycled or reused, you can book a paid bulky waste collection.
Prepare for your Emmaus collection
Emmaus can directly collect the items from your household. If you live in a high storey flat (i.e., 5 storeys or higher) without a working lift, then the item will have to be presented on the ground floor on the day of your collection
If an item needs to be dismantled, that is the responsibility of the resident. Emmaus crews will not be able to dismantle furniture at a resident’s property.
The Emmaus team will contact you before collection and you will receive a reminder email 24 hours before your collection.
Upon collection, the Emmaus crew may ask you to sign a Gift Aid form. Donating through Gift Aid means charities and community amateur sports clubs (CASCs) can claim an extra 25p for every £1 you give. It will not cost you anything. See more information about Gift Aid on GOV.UK.
If the Emmaus crew refuse to accept your item/s because they are not in a reusable condition, you can arrange to book a paid bulky waste collection or visit one of our reuse and recycling centres.
Cancel your Emmaus collection
If you need to cancel your Emmaus collection, please complete our bulky waste collection cancellation form.
More about Emmaus
Emmaus is a charity that supports people who have experienced homelessness, otherwise known as companions, by giving them shelter, food, and meaningful work in a community setting for as long as they need.
One way that Emmaus funds this meaningful work is through the resale of donated household items in their charity shops across the UK. The closest Lambeth branches are in Brixton and Norwood. These items are collected, restored, and processed in shops with the help of the companions.
Together with Lambeth Council and our waste contractor, Serco, Emmaus will collect eligible reusable items from residents for free and re-sell them in their charity shops. So, by booking this collection service, residents are supporting Emmaus’ work and their companions.