Lewisham council has cut the cost of bulky waste collections including mattresses in an effort to tackle fly tipping and make disposal more affordable.
Residents will now be able to get rid of bulky waste items including old mattresses for as little as £5. This is one of the lowest rates in London.
Previously residents paid a flat rate of £42 for up to four items with mattresses costing £14 each.
The cost of a fridge/freezer collection has also been reduced from £60 to £25.
A report outlining the new changes to the service was agreed by Lewisham Mayor and Cabinet on October 22. The changes will be implemented in December.
The council is also considering changing the opening hours of the Landmann Way Reuse and Recycling Centre to make it easier for residents to drop off their waste at weekends.
Fly tipping is a big problem in Lewishaml. Over the last 12 months the council received thousands of reports of fly tipping incidents.
It increased the maximum fines for fly-tipping and littering to £1,000 and £200 respectively in an attempt to reduce the problem.
The council said it was also looking at introducing a bulky waste amnesty which will allow residents living in Bellingham and Downham, two of the borough’s fly-tipping hotspots, to get their waste collected for free.
The council hopes the pilot will help encourage residents to use the online booking system.