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Bin
Types of waste

Rubbish

Black waste bin

Your black bin is for anything that can't be recycled, including:

  • nappies and incontinence pads
  • hygiene waste such as tissues, plasters and wound dressings
  • sanitary products
  • empty blister packets
  • broken household items such as a drinking glass, crockery and toys (not electrical) 
  • black plastic
  • pet waste

It is collected every three weeks. Recycle as much as possible to reduce the amount of waste in your bin. Large items which don’t fit in your bin need to be taken to one of our recycling centres.

For some properties it isn't practical to have a black bin. If this is the case for your property, we'll collect up to four sacks per collection, or two sacks if the collection is weekly. Please check your collection calendar or download the app to see when your collection occurs.

We only collect from bins that we have supplied.

DIY waste

Some items are considered construction or DIY waste, and these should not go in your black bin.

For more information on what we consider to be this type of waste, and where and how to dispose of it properly, please see our DIY waste webpage. 

If you can't close the lid

We won't collect your wheeled rubbish bin if you can't close the lid, and we won't collect any additional bags of waste that have been left by the side of your bins. These need to be taken to a recycling centre.

Bins and moving house

The black bin at your property belongs to the council. If you move house please make sure you leave the bin for the new residents. 

It is one bin per property, additional bins will be removed.

If you require a replacement bin due to damage or if it has gone missing, please note that we reuse bins so the replacement delivered may not be brand new. 

While recycling is better for the environment than throwing items away, the process still requires energy and resources. It is better to reduce waste where possible and reuse what we can.

Find out more about reducing your waste

Additional waste capacity

The majority of households fit all their waste in their black bin. Sometimes you may find you have extra. If the excess waste isn't a regular problem, for example if it's a result of a party or seasonal event such as Christmas, it can be taken to a recycling centre.

If you regularly find you can't fit all your non-recyclable waste in your black bin, then support is available from a waste minimisation officer. Please follow the steps below:

  1. Check you are recycling everything possible, including food waste. Food waste makes up on average 27% of the black bin, so recycling this frees up lots of room in your bin.
  2. Consider if there are changes you might make to reduce waste at home.
  3. Apply for additional waste capacity. 

We know that not every household is the same. Households with young children in nappies, medical needs or some larger households may find they can't fit all their sacks in their bin each collection. 

Households can apply for additional waste capacity by completing this form. Applications are reviewed by a waste minimisation officer and the officer will contact you to discuss. If approved, a bigger bin or an extra sack allowance per collection may be provided.