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• Recycling FAQs

1. How do I start recycling?
2. Where can I request a blue or grey bin?
3. Why has my street been missed?
4. Why has my bin been missed?
5. Why has a yellow 'contaminated' sticker been stuck to my bin?
6. How can I exchange my large grey bin for a smaller bin?
7. I live on a farm or in a property which is hard to access using a traditional refuse collection vehicle. When will my bin be collected?
8. Where are the recycling collection centres in my area?
9. A bottle bank needs emptying, who do I contact?

 1. How do I start recycling?

• Use your blue bin for garden waste.
• Use your grey bin for paper, cardboard, food tins, cans, glass bottles and jars.

Further information is available on our recycling pages.

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  2. Where can I request a blue or grey bin?
You can request a bin online or by calling 443 2400.

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 3. Why has my street been missed?
If it is between 7am and 3.30pm on your normal day of collection and other bins in your area have also not been collected, we may just be running late, or have a problem with our vehicle. We will return to collect your container as soon as possible.

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 4. Why has my bin been missed?
If it is after 4pm on your normal collection day and your bin has not been collected it may be due to the following:

• Missed collection. If we have not emptied your container by 4pm on your collection day and there doesn't seem to be any reason why we missed it, please accept our apologies and ring our Customer Contact Centre on 443 2400. They will check with the crew and advise why it wasn't collected or arrange for it to be emptied as soon as possible.
• Bin not out. You should put your bin out at 7am on your collection day. The crew don't always come the same time each week. If you didn't put your bin out in time, the crew will empty it on your next normal day of collection.
• Bin lid up. Crews are instructed not to empty bins if the lid is still open due to health and safety reasons, such as loose sharp items which may fall out of the bin.
• Container too heavy. If you struggle to lift or wheel your bin, then so will our staff. Our staff are not over cautious, but are instructed 'if in doubt, don't lift'. They will attach a sticker to your container explaining why it wasn't emptied. It will be emptied on your next normal day of collection.
• Contaminated recycle bin. If there are items in your recycle bin that cannot be recycled or should not be there, crews are instructed not to empty the container as it could result in the wagon load to be rejected by the Waste Disposal Authority. A yellow sticker will be placed on your bin notifying you of any contamination. If you remove the contaminants  your bin will be emptied on the next scheduled day of collection.

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  5. Why has a yellow 'contaminated' sticker been stuck to my bin?

The sticker indicates that the collection team has rejected your bin as it contained  unsuitable materials (e.g. bin liners and plastic bags). Please remove these materials. Your bin will be collected on your next scheduled collection day. Find out more about what can be recycled on our recycling pages.

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  6. How can I exchange my large grey bin for a smaller bin?

If you have insufficient storage space please consider exchanging your maroon refuse bin for a smaller one instead. You can request a small maroon bin or small grey bin by calling 443 2400.

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 7. I live on a farm or in a property which is hard to access using a traditional refuse collection vehicle. When will my bin be collected?

Our farm rounds have their own alternating fortnightly recycling timetable. Week 1 collections service your grey recycling bin and maroon refuse bin.  Week 2 collections service your blue recycling bin and maroon refuse bin.

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 8. Where are the Household Waste Recycling Centres in my area?
There are two Household Waste Recycling Centres in the borough. Visit the MWDA website to find your nearest.

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  9. A bottle bank needs emptying, who do I contact?

Call our Environmental Helpline on 443 2400 to report the details.

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