FAQs

More than 60% of the waste produced by households can be recycled, by taking part in recycling you can help to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.

All of the materials you recycle can be passed on to reprocessors so they can turn them in to new products Using recycled materials to manufacture new items is cheaper than using raw materials and takes less energy.

By recycling you will be helping to preserve natural resources and to protect the environment for you and for future generations.

We recycle to save the world's resources. For example, there is a limit to the amount of oil from which we can make plastic or aluminium ore to make drinks cans.

Resources that run out eventually are called 'finite resources'. By recycling these materials we can save finite resources for the future. By recycling, we also reduce the amount of rubbish, which ends up in landfill. If no one recycled, we would eventually run out of finite resources and space to bury rubbish.

Buying recycled goods helps support recycling. It is no good just recycling because we think it is good for the environment. We have to use what we have recycled.

Lots of shops now sell products that contain recycled materials, for example, bin bags, writing paper, and toilet paper.

Find out more and buy recycled products online through the WRAP website (www.wrap.org.uk)

Your bag and box will be emptied at the same time. The collectors should then place the bag inside the upturned box at the edge of the property.

The box system is a “sort as you go” recycling collection. The materials are sorted into separate cages on the vehicle. The advantages of doing it this way are that there is no need for expensive plant and machinery to sort the materials after collection, and contamination is kept to a minimum because the crews see any unsuitable material and leave it behind.

Unlike the refuse contract, this is a kerbside collection. This is the best way of getting as many people on the scheme as possible. As not everyone wants to take part, the boxes need to be visible so that the crews are not wasting time going up and down people’s drives looking for them.

Please contact 0845 245 7000 to find out. If an agreed point of collection can be determined (i.e. junction of farm access road and main road) a collection can be arranged.

We currently offer high rise flats and apartments their own recycling collection service, usually utilising large communual recycling bins.  However, each block is assessed individually to establish space and access.  Please contact the Street Care Helpline for more information on 0845 245 7000. 

Not only is it more cost effective to re-use the bags but it is also better for the environment. The bags do get replaced approximately every six weeks. Any damaged or contaminated bags get replaced immediately.

Occasionally a box can be mistakenly left on the lorry, returned to the wrong house, or stolen. We will supply a new box if any of the above happens. Please contact 0845 245 7000 to arrange delivery of a new box.

Research suggests that fortnightly collections are more efficient. A collection every two weeks ensures a full load in the collection vehicles.

Experience of other councils tells us that lids have been blown off boxes and caused damage to property and vehicles. The boxes do have drain holes in the bottom so any liquid can escape.

Nearly all household rubbish can be recycled at kerbside, HWRC and Bring Sites, although some materials are easier to recycle than others.  Visit the A-Z section of this website for more specific information about what you can recycle.

If you can't find what you are looking for call the Street Care Helpline on 0845 245 700

This is the time the collection crew begin their collection. To ensure everybody gets a collection we advise people to put their bag and box out before 8.00 am.