Thousands of broken fridges sit at Newport Docks after recycling firm collapses
Tens of thousands of fridge freezers remain stored at Newport Docks following the liquidation of Unimetals and a suspension of household collections across many Welsh councils.
Recycling company files for liquidation
Recycling company Unimetals filed for liquidation in 2025 after operating dozens of sites in the UK. This closure left tens of thousands of cooling appliances stranded at docks while specialist treatment facilities shut down.
Councils suspend household collections
Almost a quarter of Welsh councils have suspended household collections due to a shortage of space at disposal sites. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs stated it is working to manage the resulting capacity shortages.
Residents face storage delays
Some residents in Cardiff have stored broken units in their gardens for months because local collections are not accepted. People reported confusion over differing policies between neighbouring councils regarding kerb-side pickup eligibility.
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