Frequently asked questions

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New waste and recycling service

• What is the new service and how will it affect me?
• When will I receive the new services?
• Why is the council changing its service?
• Will I get a collection calendar for the new service?
• Will my existing collection days change?
• Will my collection day change due to bank holidays and Christmas?
• Where do I put the extra bins? I don't have enough space at my house.
• How do I know where to put my bins for collection?
• What do I do with my existing bin? Will they be replaced?
• Will my new bins be fitted with micro chips (chipped)?
• If my bin is stolen or broken, will I have to pay for a replacement?
• I currently have an assisted collection, how will the new arrangements affect me?
• I live in a flat; how will I get the new waste and recycling service?
• How much will all the service changes cost?
• Why is food waste collection not an option?

Household waste collections

• When will household waste change to a fortnightly collection?
• How will I know when my collections change to fortnightly?
• Why will I be getting a fortnightly collection of household waste?
• I don't think I will be able to cope with a fortnightly collection of household waste. What can I do?
• I have a large family / children in nappies / medical condition. I won't be able to cope with a fortnightly collection
• My pets generate a large amount of waste, so I won't be able to manage with fortnighty collections
• Can I put out additional waste by the side of my bin?
• Why have I received a green bin hanger/ label on my bin?
• How should I present my bin for collection?
• Will the household waste wheeled bin smell, attract rats and maggots if it is emptied fortnightly? Is it a health hazard to leave rubbish for so long?
• What happens if my household waste bin is missed, I forget to put it out or I am on holiday? Will that mean I won’t have a collection for a month?
• If the council is only going to be collecting household waste on a fortnightly basis, won’t that encourage flytipping?

Garden waste collections

• How can I apply for the new non-chargeable garden waste collection?
• Will I get a new bin? When will I get my bin?
• What do I need to do if I already receive a collection of garden waste?
• Can I sign up for the current chargeable garden waste collection service?
• How do I know when my garden waste collection starts?
• What can I compost in my garden waste bin?
• Why will the garden waste collection be an "optional" service? Why will I have to apply?
• What happens to the garden waste when it is collected?
• Does the council still provide subsidised compost bins?

Plastic bottles and cardboard recycling collections

• I want to recycle my plastic bottles and cardboard from the kerbside but i have not got a bin / bag. What shall i do?
• How do I know when my plastic bottle and cardboard bin is due to be collected?
• I have been delivered a bin but do not want it. What do I do?
• I have got a new bin but the lid doesn't fit properly. What do I do?
• Why are you only going to collect plastic bottles?
• How can I recycle other types of plastics?
• What can I put in my plastic bottle and cardboard bin?
• If I can’t fit all my recycling in my blue lidded bin, can I put out additional bags?
• What if I put the wrong materials in my blue lidded bin?
• Can I recycle tetrapaks or waxed cartons in with the cardboard collections?
• Can I recycle shredded paper in my plastic bottles and cardboard bin?
• What happens to the plastic bottles and cardboard once they have been collected?

Black box recycling collections

• Can I have two black recycling boxes?
• How do I know when my black box is collected?
• What can I put in my black recycling box?
• If I can’t fit all my recycling in my black box, can I put out additional bags?
• What if I put the wrong materials in my black box?
• What happens to the black box recycling once it has been collected?

Last updated: 6 March 2012