All residents need to ensure non-recyclable waste fits inside their black wheelie bin. Any additional waste, which is known as ‘side waste’ won’t be collected.
Please don’t forcefully squash any non-recyclable waste into your bin, as it may not empty fully when we try to collect it.
If you have more non-recyclable waste than you can fit in your bin, you can:
- hold onto it and put it out on your next collection day
- take it to the household waste recycling centre (HWRC), free of charge
For more information, please see our excess waste policy.
Help and advice
For advice and guidance about how to recycle more effectively, contact the engagement and enforcement team.
Pet waste
Pet waste can’t be recycled. If you need to dispose of any animal faeces, please bag it and put it in your bin for non-recyclable waste. This includes cat litter.
If you need to get rid of any puppy training pads, please bag these then put them in your bin for non-recyclable waste.
If your pet is a ‘herbivore’, eating only plant-based foods (such as rabbits, guinea pigs, tortoises, and gerbils) you can put their bedding in any compost bin or on any compost heap you may have.
You can also add it to your garden waste bin, as long as it’s clean and free from animal faeces.
Large bin eligibility
Recycling
You’re not limited to one set of reusable bags, bins, boxes and caddies for your recycling.
If you have more recycling to put out for us to collect than you can fit in your existing recycling containers, or yours are broken or have gone missing, you may order extra bags, boxes or bins.
Bulky household items
You can take bulky household items to the HWRC free of charge.
Alternatively, see our bulky household waste collection page for information on booking a collection.
Garden
If you have more garden waste than you can fit in your bin, you can:
- hold onto it for your next collection day
- take it to the HWRC
If you have a large garden and frequently produce more garden waste than you can fit in your bin, you can request:
- a second bin
- or extra reusable bags if you have a ‘sack collection’
Order extra bags, boxes or bins
Bigger families
If you have between five and seven people living at your home, we may switch you to a 180-litre bin.
If you have eight or more people living at your home, we may switch you to a 240-litre bin.
If you have five or more people living in your home and feel you’re recycling all you can but still need more space for your non-recyclable waste, you may apply for a larger bin.
Once we receive your application for a larger bin, we’ll assess your individual situation and replace your bin for a larger one if you meet the requirements.
If you live in a flat that’s part of a larger house, the larger bin we might offer you may differ from the sizes noted above.
Enforcement
We all have a responsibility to sort our waste into the relevant containers, ready for us to collect it from you so that it can be recycled.
Under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990), we may issue fines in certain circumstances where residents breach our recycling and household waste collection guidance.