Go to blue bin questions
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Is there a list of what I can and cannot put in my blue bin?
There is a sticker on the underside of the blue bin lid. You should also have received a leaflet which sets out what can be recycled. A checklist of do's and don'ts is provided here.
Items you can put in the blue bin
Metals
YES please:
- Fizzy drinks cans
- Food tins and pet food tins
- Empty aerosol cans
NO thank you:
- Food trays
- Aluminium foil
- Large oil drums
- Oil cans
- Paint tins
- Car batteries
Plastic bottles
YES please:
- Fizzy drink or soft drink bottles
- Plastic milk bottles
- Detergent and cleaning fluid bottles
- Shampoo and conditioner bottles
NO thank you:
- Yoghurt pots
- Margarine/butter tubs
- Plastic food trays and fruit and vegetable punnets
- Plastic bags
- Plastic plant pots, toys and mops
- Plastic piping
- Polystyrene
Mixed glass
YES please:
- Wine, beer and juice bottles
- Coffee, food and sauce jars
NO thank you:
- Light bulbs
- Broken drinking glasses, plates or window panes
- Flourescent tubes
What will happen if I put the wrong items in my blue bin?
We won't be able to empty your blue bin if it contains items that we don't accept for recycling. See the list above.
Why can't I recycle all items that have a recycling logo?
We can only collect items that are accepted by the recycling centre that we use.
Do I need to remove the tops off bottles?
It would be helpful to us if you could remove the tops from bottles and rinse them out but you can leave them on if you wish. We recommend you rinse out the inside of all bottles to avoid attracting wasps, ants or other insects.
Do I need to rinse containers before I put them in the blue bin?
We recommend that you rinse out the inside of all bottles and containers to avoid attracting wasps, ants or other insects.
My blue bin is too big, can I have a smaller one?
If you have a genuine need for a smaller bin we will consider this. For example, if you are a one person household.
Why does my blue bin have an electronic chip?
If your blue bin is fitted with an electronic chip you will find this underneath the lip of the lid. The chip carries information about which address the bin belongs to. This will help us to reduce lost or stolen bins as well as providing us with more accurate information about which households are taking part in recycling and those that are not. This information will also help us to plan our awareness campaigns and improve how we provide our services to you.
Each time your bin is emptied the chip will be read by electronic reading equipment installed on our collection trucks. The electronic chip only contains your address, it will not weigh, record or video the contents of your bin and we will not use this information to impose any fines or charges.
Can I put my house number on my blue bin?
You can put your house number on your blue bin if you wish.
I have recycled all that I can and the grey bin is full, what should I do?
Contact Customer Services to seek advice.
What exactly can I put in my brown bin?
Please use the brown bin for loose (not bagged) garden waste. A checklist of do's and don'ts is provided here.
Items you can put in the brown bin
Garden waste
YES please:
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge clippings
- Cut flowers and plants
- Leaves and bark
- Twigs, small logs and small branches
- Whole raw fruit and vegetables
- Real Christmas trees (chopped up)
NO thank you:
- Large logs
- Whole tree trunks
- Soil, turf or compost
- Fencing panels
Can I put soil in my brown bin?
Only small amounts of soil that are on the roots of pulled up plants. If the bin is heavy with soil we will not be able to lift it or empty it for you.
Can I put my house number on my brown bin?
You can put your house number on your brown bin if you wish.
What can I put in the green bag?
Use your green bag for dry recyclable paper and cardboard. A checklist is provided here.
Items you can and cannot put in the green bag
YES please:
- Newspapers and magazines
- Pamphlets and junk mail
- Catalogues and telephone directories, for example, Yellow Pages, Thomson Local
- Cardboard
- Cardboard egg boxes
- Kitchen and toilet roll tubes
- Shredded paper, brown paper and wrapping paper (not metallic)
- Envelopes
- Greetings cards (without attachments, for example beads)
- Hard-backed books and paper-backed books
NO thank you:
- Plastic packing, sticky tape or plastic labels
- Padded envelopes or window envelopes
- Milk and juice cartons
What should I do if I lose my green bag?
You can use plastic carrier bags (not black bin bags) if you don't have a green bag.
What should I do if the cardboard won’t fit in the green bag?
It will help if you flatten all cardboard packaging. If after flattening it you still can’t get it to go in the green bag, please leave it in a neat pile next to your green bag or put smaller pieces of cardboard inside a larger box.
My bins and bags have been missed, what should I do?
If you bin is missed by the collection crew and you contact us no later than the next day we can arrange a return collection for you.
What if I can't remember which collection is due this week?
You could try asking a neighbour or contact us.
What should I do if I have difficulty moving my bins?
If you are physically or otherwise unable to take your blue bin to the kerbside yourself and there isn't anyone else in your household that can do this for you, request an application form and we will arrange to visit you to assess your needs. Phone 0161 253 5353.
Do collections take place on Good Friday?
Collections will take place as normal on Good Friday.
What will happen to recycling over the Christmas period?
For recycling collections, please refer to your recycling collection dates leaflet. If you have mislaid your leaflet you can phone our Customer Contact Team on 0161 253 5353 who will be pleased to help you.
Can I have a larger grey bin?
Larger bins are not available. The 240 litre bins we supply are equivalent to 4 black bags.
Can I have a second grey or brown bin?
Normally we only provide a 2nd bin if there are 6 people or more in your household.
Can I pay for an extra collection of my grey bin?
We do not take payments for extra collections of grey bins. This only applies to commercial waste.
