Street Care Helpline 0845 245 7000
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Frequently Asked Questions - Calderdale

FAQs

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Why should I recycle?

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.

What would happen if nobody recycled?

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.

Where can I buy things made out of recycled materials?

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)

Will the bags blow away?

The collectors will anchor the bags as well as they can, this could be either inside the caddy, under the upturned box or another anchor point. You can help by retrieving containers and putting them back in your usual storage point as soon as possible after emptying.

Why do we have all the different containers for recycling?

The 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.

Why do I have to take the containers to the edge of my property for emptying?

The collection is more efficient when the containers are ready for the crews at the edge of your property.

I live in a rural area of Calderdale. Can I take part?

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.

I live in a high-rise flat complex/mill conversion. Why am I not included?

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. 

Why don't I get a new bag every time?

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.

Why hasn't my recycling box been returned?

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.

Why isn't it a weekly collection service?

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

Why hasn't the box got a lid?

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.

What can be recycled?

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

Why do I have to put my recycling out before 8.00 am if the collection crew don't collect until later?

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.

What advice is available for handling business waste? What do I put in each of my refuse and recycling containers?

Box: Food and drink cans, glass drink bottles, sauce bottles and food jars (any colour of glass container) - please rinse your glass and cans where possible.

White sack: Any plastic bottles, i.e. plastic milk bottles, drink/pop bottles, detergent and cleaning product bottles, shampoo, conditioner and shower gel bottles. Please remove the lids as we cannot recycle these at present.

Green sack: Newspapers and magazines, catalogues and directories, junk mail, thin card (e.g. cereal boxes), envelopes - please remove plastic windows or plastic covers from envelopes and magazines.

Small and large Food Caddies with biodegradable liners: ALL cooked and uncooked food waste - vegetable peelings and bones, meat, vegetables, bread, pasta, cereals, rice, chapattis, etc. Please fill each liner and tie it before placing into the large food caddy for collection. As a guide, the average household should only need 2 - 3 liners per week.

Wheelie bin: All non-recyclable waste, e.g. packaging, nappies and animal waste, hoover dust.

Why can I only put plastic bottles in the white sack - my plastic trays, yoghurt pots, etc. have the same symbol as some of the bottles?

The reprocessing facility uses technology which blows air into the bottles and determines the type of plastic it is (HDPE, PET, etc.), these are then separated into types and recycled. Plastic trays, yoghurt pots, etc. may be the same type of plastic but the air cannot be blown into them as easily and therefore, they fall through and then end up being landfilled. We are constantly monitoring the market for local reprocessors which will accept all types of plastics.