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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. See our Large item reuse and collection page for details. We are unable to enter your property to collect large items.
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.
