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This page was last updated at 11:25 on 24/03/2025.
Report a missed bin collection
If your household waste, recycling bin or box has not been emptied, you need to report it as soon as possible. We can only return to pick up a missed collection if it is reported within two working days from your collection day.
We are experiencing service disruption due to the cold and icy weather. If your bin is not emptied, leave it out if safe to do so and it will be emptied as soon as possible. If you believe your bin has been missed and this is not related to the weather, report using the form below.
Before reporting a missed bin collection, you should check that:
you put your bins, bag or box out on the correct day. See the Collection calendar for details
you put them out by 7am on the collection day
your bins were placed out at the kerbside, or the collection point agreed with the council
the bin lid was fully closed
you used approved bins, bags or labels
your waste was separated into the correct bin, bag or box
We will repair or replace, free of charge, any containers that are damaged due to normal wear and tear. If the damage is caused by the householder's negligence, we may charge.
Requesting bins
Wiltshire Council provides three types of bins/containers for waste. This includes a bin for household waste, a blue-lidded bin for paper, cardboard, certain types of plastics and metal items and a black box for glass jars and bottles. If you have just moved into a property you can request a new waste container online:
Information on what you can and cannot put in your household waste bin, guidance on putting your bin out for collection, and how to request an additional bin.
You should put the household waste bin out correctly and ensure it is stored away after collection. You must not tie the bin lid to the bin as this is a health and safety hazard for the collection crews. If you have excess recycling, place this in a container next to the blue-lidded bin. For guidance, see the Putting your bins out page. If you have excess household waste, this can be taken to a Household Recycling Centre.
You should only use the household waste bin to dispose of rubbish that cannot be recycled. For more information, see Household recycling.
real Christmas trees. You can donate real Christmas trees to a charity, or put them out as part of the garden waste collection. See or Garden waste collections for more information
Putting the wrong things in the bin may result in it not being emptied.
Requesting additional bins
The standard refuse bin should be large enough for most households. If you are recycling all that you can and still have difficulty fitting all of your waste in your household bin, you can request a larger bin or container. We will assess this request and in some cases, we will carry out a waste audit. All households issued with a larger bin will have an annual review (which may include a waste audit).
all waste is bagged before you put it in the bin. Anything that may cause smells should be double-bagged (for example, nappies or food waste)
the bin lid is securely shut to avoid flies getting in
store bins out of direct sunlight in hot weather
regularly clean the bins
Household recycling
Information on what you can and cannot put in your household recycling bin and box, guidance on putting your bins out for collection, and how to request additional recycling bins.
You will be provided with two types of bins for your household recycling.
This includes a blue-lidded bin for paper, cardboard, certain types of plastics and metal items; and a black box for glass jars and bottles.
Before disposal, you should ensure that all food packaging items have been rinsed before putting them in the recycling bin or box. You must not tie the bin lid to the bin as this is a health and safety hazard for the collection crews. You should put recycling in the bin loose and not inside a black bag.
Putting the wrong things in the recycling bin may result in it not being emptied.
Paper and cardboard
We cannot recycle wet paper or cardboard. We use screens to sort the card and paper from other materials and wet fibre tends to fall apart during this process. Wet cardboard and paper also sticks to other items and is more difficult to separate and can cause blockages.
You should remove all non-cardboard and paper packaging such as bubble wrap or polystyrene.
paper (any colour)
cardboard (any colour) such as cereal boxes, greeting cards (without glitter), food packaging and toilet rolls.
corrugated cardboard
directories and catalogues
envelopes (no need to remove windows)
kitchen and toilet roll tubes
newspapers and magazines
shoe boxes
wrapping paper, non foil-lined and without glitter. You should check by scrunching it into a ball, if it does not bounce back it can be recycled. See for more information.
Plastics
No black plastics are accepted. You should rinse and squash bottles, and keep the lids on.
bleach bottles
drinks bottles such as milk, juice, squash
cooking oil bottles
hand wash and washing up liquid bottles
laundry liquid and fabric conditioner bottles
plastic food trays - meat, fruit and vegetable trays
shampoo and conditioner bottles
upright 'pump' type toothpaste tubes
yoghurt pots, margarine tubs, ice cream tubs
Metals
Rinse out food cans, trays and foils. You should scrunch all foil together before disposing. You should make sure aerosols are completely empty before disposing; they may explode when compacted.
foil and trays
food tins
drinks cans
empty aerosols. Make sure aerosols are completely empty and depressurized
metal biscuit tins
Cartons
You should rinse and squash all cartons before disposal.
shredded paper. You can dispose of shredded paper in the household waste bin or recycle it at a Household Recycling Centre. Alternatively, you can compost this. See Home composting for more information
You should keep bottle tops on glass bottles and jars before disposing.
If the black recycling box is full, you can put any extra glass into a separate, open carrier bag (not a black bag) and place it next to the black box.
flat glass
Pyrex or any ovenproof cookware
light bulbs
Extra items that cannot fit in the blue-lidded bin may be presented beside the bin in a suitable container, such as a plastic storage box. To prevent paper and cardboard getting wet, these items should be inside the bin, but plastic and tin items and cartons can be presented next to the bin.
Pool accessories
Pool accessories such as goggles, floats, armbands and swim caps can currently be recycled at all swimming pools across Wiltshire. See Wiltshire Council leisure centres to find your nearest centre.
Requesting additional bins
You can request up to two black boxes and two blue-lidded recycling bins, free of charge, by using the form:
There are some types of waste you can't put in your household or recycling bins, clinical waste is one of them. On this page we tell you what clinical waste is, and how to dispose of it.
What is clinical waste and who is responsible for it
Clinical waste is any healthcare waste that may cause disease or contains medicine or fluids. If you produce clinical waste you may be responsible for disposing of it.
You can also find out how to return unwanted medical items on this page. See returning medical equipment for more information.
The council offer a free collection to residents who need to dispose of clinical waste from their home. This includes sharp items (needles, syringes etc) and infectious items See how to arrange for clinical waste collection.
Your healthcare professional will advise you if the waste you produce is clinical waste. They should provide training if required.
If you are treated in your home by a nurse they should dispose of any clinical waste. It will normally be returned to the NHS for disposal. Any other waste produced can be put in your household waste bin.
Containers for disposal of clinical waste
If you treat yourself at home you will need different types of containers. For waste classed as 'sharps' (needles and syringes for example), you will need a 'sharps box'. For items like dressings and swabs, you will need a special orange bag.
If you are disposing of things like needles or syringes (sharps) they must be in a 'sharps box'. You can get these from your GP.
Once in the sharps box, needles and sharps are safe to be handled and stored.
Make sure that boxes are not overfilled and that they are secure, ready for collection.
What can you put in your sharps box
Waste item
Can it go in the sharps box
Needles
Yes
Lancets
Yes
Syringes
Yes
Empty insulin cartridges
Yes
Insulin pump infusion sets
Yes
Needles from disposable pens
Yes
Disposable pens without the needle
No
Dialysis waste
No
Swabs
No
Soiled dressings
No
Incontinence pads
No
Nappies
No
Catheter bags
No
Sanitary products
No
Emptied stoma bags or pouches
No
Disposable bed pans
No
Pressurised containers or aerosols
No
Empty tablet blister packs
No
Unused medication
No
Inhalers
No
If you are disposing of items like dressings or swabs, the council will supply you with orange bags when you arrange a collection. These are free of charge.
You should never put sharps into an orange bag.
Make sure that bags are not overfilled. They should be securely closed when ready for collection.
What you can put in your orange bag
Waste item
Can it go in the orange bag
Dialysis waste
Yes
Swabs
Yes
Soiled dressings
Yes
Any sharps (needles etc)
No
Containers or aerosols
No
Empty tablet blister packs
No
Unused medication
No
Inhalers
No
Incontinence pads
No, unless advised to do so
Nappies
No, unless advised to do so
Catheter bags
No, unless advised to do so
Sanitary products
No, unless advised to do so
Emptied stoma bags or pouches
No, unless advised to do so
Disposable bed pans
No, unless advised to do so
How to arrange a clinical waste collection
You can arrange for the collection online you will be asked to register or you can phone us. This service is free of charge.
Alternatively, arrange a collection by phone on: 0300 456 0102.
You can request collection for someone else, as long as they are a Wiltshire resident.
Commercial clinical waste collections, such as those from nursing homes, are not included as part of this service.
Returning medical equipment
Any loan equipment which is issued to the community should be returned when no longer used. All items will be assessed and safety tested and either repaired, reused or recycled. Such items include:
hoists, hospital beds, mattresses, bed levers and cushions
You should put your bin out correctly and ensure it is stored away after collection.
put your bin out before 7am on your collection day, at the edge of your property or by the kerbside, with the handle facing the road
put your waste in securely tied bags inside your bin
make sure your bin lid is closed
make sure your house name or number is clearly displayed on your bin
you must not tie your bin lid to your bin as this is a health and safety hazard for the collection crews
Putting the wrong things in your bin may result in it not being emptied.
Assisted collections
If you are unable to put your bin out for collection due to an illness or disability, whether temporary or permanent, you can request an assisted waste collection.
All requests will be dealt with on an individual basis. Assistance may be provided by changing the point of collection, the container provided, or both.
You can also apply by phone by calling us on 0300 456 0102.
You can cancel an assisted collection at any time.
Guidance on recycling batteries and small electricals alongside your household recycling collection every fortnight.
Battery collections
Batteries should be placed in a sealed clear sandwich bag, on top of your blue-lidded recycling bin. To ensure minimal use of plastic bags you should ensure you store batteries until you have enough to fill a sandwich bag.
Never put batteries out in wet weather or inside any bin as this can cause fires.
D
C
AA
AAA
9V
button
rechargeable
car batteries
e-scooter battery
mobility scooter battery
batteries with trailing wires
children's ride on toy batteries
motorbike batteries
sealed lactic acid/gel batteries
12v leisure batteries
Small electricals collections
Small electricals should be presented in a supermarket carrier bag by the side of your blue-lidded recycling bin, or blue recycling sack. Individual items should be no larger than a shoe box (so around 30 cm x 20 cm or 12" x 8").
Your unwanted electricals contain valuable materials including metals such as gold, copper, steel, and aluminium. These materials can be recovered and re-processed into new products from bicycles to life-saving equipment.
Bulky items such as white goods, furniture and electrical appliances can be collected from your doorstep for reuse with the help of local charities or through our service.
We cannot take commercial items or individual items that two loaders are unable to safely lift.
beds
mattresses
sofas
chairs and tables
cupboards
fridges (must be emptied of food)
freezers (must be emptied of food)
washing machines
cookers
bicycles
carpets (must be rolled and no longer than 6ft/1.8m in length)
underlay (must be rolled and no longer than 6ft/1.8m in length)
fluid containers such as oil drums and petrol cans
garden waste, soil or rubble
hazardous waste such as asbestos, fluorescent tubes, liquid waste
pianos
sheds and fence panels or fencing
Range, Rayburn or AGA cookers
mobility scooters
single items over 50kg
Arranging a collection
There is a £32.00 collection charge per item. You can arrange your collection by calling 0300 456 0102.
Only items listed at the time of booking will be collected. If you need to change the items being collected or cancel your collection you should call at least two days before the collection date in order for a refund to be issued.
Where and when to leave items for collection
When a collection has been arranged, you should leave your items outside of your property at 7am that day.
Charity collections
You should contact these charities directly to enquire whether they can accept your donation.
Will collect a wide range of furniture, as well as working and not working white good appliances from both inside and outside your home. They cover the whole of Wiltshire.
Leaving items on the doorstep of charity shops without arrangement is not permitted and constitutes as fly-tipping.
Frequently asked questions
Questions you have asked us about household collections and our answers.
General information
Prior to becoming a unitary authority, each district council had responsibility for delivering waste collection services. There remains some inconsistency in the size and colour of containers in use across the county due to this. Bins previously issued will remain in use until a replacement is required due to loss or damage. All new containers delivered will be the standard size used by the council.
You only need to rinse recycling before disposing in your household recycling bins. If recycling is dirty, it can compromise the quality of recycling already in the recycling bin. Recyclables will be cleaned thoroughly during the recycling process.
Cardboard heavily contaminated with food such as takeaway pizza boxes should be placed in your household waste bin. These items can compromise the quality of recycling already in the recycling bin. A small amount of grease will not prevent a pizza box from being recycled.
You can also check with your local pharmacy to see if they offer a take-back recycling service. If you are unable to find a recycling service nearby, these items can be put into their general household waste bins. Non-recyclable waste that is collected at the kerbside is diverted for energy recovery, with very little waste being sent to landfill.
All small rechargeable items presented should be removed by the crew unless incorrect items are presented, or if items have leaked. If this is the case, a sticker will be placed on the bag, advising why the item was not collected.
We have invested in an electric Refuse Collection Vehicle (eRCV) which will be trialled around the county by our waste collection contractor, Hills, to reduce carbon emissions. See the Electric vehicle press release (opens new window) for more details.
As this is our first electric waste vehicle trial, the primary goal is to understand the average distance it can travel per day. Our current collection rounds vary in distance from 25 miles to 125 miles, with the shorter rounds being mainly urban areas that are close to the depot and longer rounds rural areas on the county boundaries.
We have been working with our collection contractor Hills, to establish a trial plan which allows us to trial a range of collection routes, however, rounds further than 75 miles are less likely to be achieved and will require more extensive planning.
Waste collection vehicles typically operate for long shifts, often driving long distances daily. As electric vehicles are more suited to shorter rounds which are closer to depots, it may not be appropriate to use eRCVs in more remote rural areas which are further from the depots where they can be charged. This trial will fully test the capabilities of eRCVs in Wiltshire and establish what percentage of collection routes could realistically be achieved using electric vehicles in the future.
This trial will be undertaken until we have sufficient data to make an evidence-based conclusions on the capabilities of eRCVs to be used for future waste collections in Wiltshire, and the vehicle will be expected to augment current and future waste collection resources.
We are currently looking ahead and planning what the future of kerbside waste collection services looks like in Wiltshire post 2026 when the existing contract with our service provider, Hills, ends. This planning is looking at how we can optimise the efficiency of the service in terms of improving our recycling rate and reducing household waste. We also need to ensure compliance with the Environment Act 2021, which will require the council to separately collect food waste from 2027. Therefore the procurement of new waste collections vehicles will be largely informed by future kerbside service requirements post 2026, and the data from this trial will inform how many could be EVs.
The vehicle will be trialled at operating depots and assigned to household waste collection rounds, initially starting in largely urban rounds in the northern areas of the county including Calne and Chippenham. It will later be trialled in the city of Salisbury. The trial will later look to assess the vehicle's performance in semi-urban, semi-rural, and finally the mainly rural rounds.
We will be working closely with our collections service provider, Hills, when designing the trial to determine which routes are most suitable initially, and arrangements are in place to make sure that where rounds cannot be completed by the EV, existing resources can be deployed to ensure collections are completed as scheduled. As the trial progresses and real-time data is obtained, we will be in a better position to understand the capabilities of the vehicles and select the most appropriate routes to be tested, ensuring that the vehicle is sufficiently charged to complete the assigned collection rounds.
Yes, the eRCV can collect the same capacity of household waste as the diesel RCVs.
Waste Service Policy
This page is for Wiltshire Council's Waste Collection Service Policy.
Household and recyclable waste collections
Wiltshire Council (hereafter referred to as 'we') will collect household waste and recyclable materials in accordance with a published schedule where possible, except in circumstances beyond our control - if this occurs, then collections will be rescheduled. Collections are currently fortnightly.
Other waste collections available
Garden waste
Householders can opt to pay for garden waste collections. If you have subscribed, we will collect it in accordance with a published schedule where possible, except in circumstances beyond our control - if this occurs, then collections will be rescheduled. You will need to clearly display your address on you garden waste bin.
Householders can arrange collection of large, reusable items, such as furniture or white goods. If your goods are unsuitable for reuse, we can collect these from outside of your property for a charge. We are unable to enter your property to collect large items. See our Large item reuse and collection page for details.
Householders can request this service by calling us on 0300 456 0102.
Clinical waste
We can also provide, upon request, a separate collection of Clinical Waste from householders who self-administer medication or treatment at home, for example: discharged sharps from the injection of insulin for the control of diabetes, or waste from home kidney dialysis treatment.
Where additional household waste is generated that includes offensive healthcare waste, due to a member of the household's illness or disability, additional household waste capacity may be provided, without charge, at the discretion of the council.
Householders can request this service by calling us on 0300 456 0102.
Prior to becoming a unitary authority, each district council had responsibility for delivering waste collection services. There remains some inconsistency in the size and colour of containers in use across the county. Bins previously issued will remain in use until replacement is required due to loss or damage, however caused. It is not our current policy to charge for replacement containers although this policy is subject to change. Following a decision by Cabinet in October 2010 (available in the links section) any new or replacement bins provided will be:
one wheeled bin for household residual waste. The standard bin is 180 litres, with a grey lid. We collect the household waste in these bins or, where space is restricted, labelled bags. Household waste should only contain materials that cannot be recycled. We will not collect any additional waste that is not inside the bin, with the lid closed
one wheeled bin for mixed, dry recycling. The standard bin will be 240 litres, with a blue lid. Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays; food and drink cartons; clean tins and cans; empty aerosols; clean foils; paper and flattened cardboard of any colour can be recycled in blue lid wheeled bins or, where space is restricted, the issued, labelled bags. You can order a second bin free of charge if you need one
one black recycling box, or basket, for glass bottles and jars. Additional recyclables will be collected if presented separately, in carrier bags (not black sacks or charity bags). You can order a second box free of charge if you need one
one wheeled bin for garden waste, for householders who subscribe to this service. The standard bin will be 180 litres, with a green lid. For householders who have subscribed we will collect garden waste contained in green lid wheeled bins or issued bags where space is restricted. We will collect grass cuttings, hedge clippings, shrub prunings, plants, leaves, weeds. We will not collect soil, stone/concrete, plastic, metal, vegetable peelings from food preparation or windfall fruit. You can order and pay for additional bins on a renewable yearly agreement. Garden waste can be disposed of at any of Wiltshire Council's household recycling centres.
All bins and other containers provided are allocated to the property, not the householder, and will remain the property of the council. Residents moving out of that property must leave the containers at that property, and inform the council if they have approved additional containers for household waste. Householders are required to keep the containers in a safe location on their property, use them only for their designated purpose, keep them clean, and report any loss or damage.
Standard size bins as detailed above will be issued as replacements. Householders are recommended to apply their house name or number to the bin, box or bag. The use of adhesive letters/numbers is preferred. No additional signage, advertising material or decoration is permitted, unless supplied by the council. We will only collect household waste, recyclable materials or garden waste placed out for collection in containers approved by the council.
Make sure you:
put your correct bins out before 7am on your collection day
put your bins at the edge of your property, at the kerbside, with the handle facing the road
put your household waste in securely tied bags inside your bin - we will not collect household waste left next to your bin. We will only accept reasonable, additional quantities, of bagged, dry recyclable materials (do not use black bags or charity bags, use a carrier bag and leave it open), and flattened cardboard
check your bin lid is closed
do not overfill your bin - if we determine the bin is overweight, or contains the wrong material for that bin, or if a bin is damaged, we will not collect it. We will affix a sticker to the bin to inform the householder of the reason why it has not been emptied. Reusable bags, boxes or baskets for recyclable materials or garden waste must not be overfilled (to prevent contents escaping)
do not put commercial waste in your household waste bin, if you do, it will not be emptied. If this occurs, then enforcement action may be taken.
take in your bin as soon as possible after collection, and no later than 10.00pm on the scheduled day of collection. If containers are continually left out after the agreed time then enforcement action may be taken, after appropriate warnings have been issued
Our collection vehicles are fitted with a computer system that enables the crew to record all the above information. You can only report a collection as missed if you have followed the steps above. If a collection has been missed and you have complied with the above requirements, we will return within three working days to collect.
If we think the storage space, or access to and from the point of collection, is not suitable for wheeled bins (for example - steep paths or grass verges, excessive or difficult steps, unsuitable communal access to the property) we will implement the following arrangements:
we will collect disposable refuse sacks for household waste, each must have a council-issued label attached. We collect up to three sacks per fortnight. An annual allocation of printed labels will be issued by the council. The disposable refuse sacks must be provided by the householder, and must be securely tied to prevent escape of contents
we will provide, and empty, up to 4 blue reusable bags (an equivalent capacity to a 240 litre bin) per fortnight for mixed dry recycling
we will provide, and empty, up to 4 green reusable bags or bags (an equivalent capacity to a standard issue 180 litre wheeled bin) per fortnight, for householders who have subscribed to our garden waste service
for houses with multiple occupants, flats, or grouped dwellings and sheltered accommodation, we will work with landlords and developers where appropriate to determine the most suitable containers for communal use
We will provide an assisted collection where we are satisfied that the householder is unable to place their household waste at the appropriate point for collection due to illness, physical inability or infirmity, whether permanent or temporary, and there is no other non-disabled person living in the household to assist.
All requests will be dealt with on an individual basis and the assistance may be provided by changing the point of collection, the container provided or both. You can apply online or by calling us on 0300 456 0102. Medical evidence is not required but you will have to answer some questions to assess your request and ensure you meet the qualifying criteria.
An authorised officer of the council's contractor will visit each collection location to assess the proposed collection point, to comply with health and safety. The collection point may need to be reviewed periodically. If they deem the proposed collection point inappropriate, or unsafe, the contractor will contact the householder to discuss an alternate collection point. If a collection point cannot be agreed, a site visit will be arranged with a council officer, a representative of the contractor and the householder to resolve.
Unless the council officer considers there are obvious reasons to refuse the request, he or she will agree what assistance is most appropriate in that situation. Where applications are refused, the householder will be informed in writing, and they will have the opportunity to appeal.
You can request up to two black boxes, and two blue lidded recycling bins, free of charge. Where we are satisfied that all reasonable measures are being taken to reduce and recycle waste, a further container may be provided for residual household waste. A waste officer will contact you to assess your eligibility, and may arrange to carry out a waste audit to confirm. If additional capacity is approved, the appropriate container(s) for residual household waste will be provided. The need for these will be reviewed on a regular basis.
