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Heatwaves Drive Broken Fridge Backlog, Councils Halt Collections

8/29/2026

42 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Local Government Association warns England and Wales face a growing backlog of broken fridges.
Heat waves this year have driven up fridge and freezer breakdowns and many units are being scrapped.
Twenty-six councils halted white-goods collections this month because of a national specialist shortage.
LGA Neighbourhoods chair Arooj Shah urged the government to force producers to collect appliances and fund storage.

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Story summary

The Local Government Association warns England and Wales face a growing backlog of broken fridges.
Heat waves this year have driven up fridge and freezer breakdowns and many units are being scrapped.
Twenty-six councils halted white-goods collections this month because of a national specialist shortage.
LGA Neighbourhoods chair Arooj Shah urged the government to force producers to collect appliances and fund storage.