REMINDER: Waterford people can get rid of old mattresses and couches for FREE this weekend

Waterford City and County Council will hold the first of three days of amnesty for bulky household items like couches or mattresses this Saturday.

The bulky goods amnesty applies to items such as couches, mattresses, beds and other large items belonging to domestic householders and can be deposited for free in Lismore, Kilmacthomas and Tramore for three days only.

The first of the three days takes place at the Roads Depot in Scrahan, Kilmacthomas from 10am to 1pm this Saturday October 12.

The other two days will take place at the Civic Amenity Site in Tramore on Saturday, October 19 and at the Water Depot in Owbeg, Lismore on Saturday, October 26.

READ ALSO: Permission refused for retention of mobile homes on scenic site close to Waterford coast

Welcoming the initiative, Ella Ryan, Environmental Education Officer with Waterford City and County Council, said: "The objective of this amnesty is to give people the opportunity to get rid of large household furniture for free and to support anti-dumping intervention projects and the recycling of bulky goods.

"Waterford City and County Council has been particularly successful in prosecuting those responsible for illegally dumping household waste and bulky goods. The reason we are proactive in pursing these perpetrators is because bulky goods that are illegally dumped have an adverse effect on the environment…they are unsightly, difficult and costly to remove, and generally serve to encourage further dumping in that area."

Ms Ryan added, "While large goods such as furniture, couches, wardrobes, bedframes and mattresses will be accepted, items such as trampolines and toys, waste electrical items and construction and demolition waste will not be accepted."