The free collection of refrigerated units by Maldon District Council will be stopped from today and instead cost more than £20. (November 1)

New legislation, which came into effect at the beginning of the year, requires refrigerated units to have all ozone depleting substances removed prior to disposal.

Although it is the council's policy to charge for bulky collections, in a bid to assist householders and to encourage responsible disposal of refrigerated units, it decided to provide a free collection service until such times when suitable treatment facilities were available.

At the meeting of Community Services Committee earlier this month, members agreed that the ideal situation would be for the take-back schemes to be reinstated.

Members felt that there was probably less incentive for such schemes to be reinstated while the council continued to provide a free collection service.