'Wheelie Expensive', Hartlepool Borough Council charging extortionate rates to replace lost or stolen bins...
- teessidetoday
- Apr 17
- 2 min read
Hartlepool Borough Council charges the highest fee for locals to replace their wheelie bin which has either been lost, damaged, or stolen....
17th April 2025
Residents living in Hartlepool face some of the steepest costs in the region when it comes to replacing their lost or stolen household wheelie bins according to new figures obtained by HBC Exposed, with it being reported that Hartlepool Borough Council's charging locals a hefty £51 per bin. This figures said to outstrip fees set by neighbouring local councils such as Durham, Stockton or Middlesbrough, raising concerns about affordability for struggling households as well as fairness.
Middlesbrough Council's the Cheapest !
Stockton Borough Council charges £26.75 for a replacement household bin, whilst Durham County Council (DCC) sets its fee at a more modest £25.
Redcar and Cleveland Council, charges £36.50, whilst Middlesbrough Council, Charges a reasonable £20.45. Hartlepool’s £51 charge however is said to be more than double Middlesbrough’s fee and nearly twice Stockton’s, making Hartlepool Borough Council the most expensive in the area.
The high cost in Hartlepool has sparked debate particularly as wheelie bins are essential for household waste management and can be lost or stolen through no fault of the homeowner. Critics claim replacing a bin at such a premium could place an unexpected financial burden on families in an area where poverty is already at epidemic levels, not to mention during a time of rising living costs, with calls for Hartlepool Borough Council to review its charges to align more closely with other neighbouring local councils in order to ensure fairness and accessibility.
Hartlepool Borough Council has yet to publicly address the reasons behind its eyewatering £51 fee to replace a household wheelie bin. Possible factors include higher operational costs, supply chain expenses, or efforts to deter frequent replacements. However, many are said to be questioning why their local council is charging so much more than other local councils nearby, particularly if those bins are purchased from the same supplier...
In the meantime, pressure's mounting on the council to review its pricing and also to provide clarity on why Hartlepool households are paying a premium for this essential service.
