Wheeled Bin Policy
How and when Uttlesford District Council will collect bins, including getting extra or replacement bins and what can and cannot be put in each bin.
Contents
- Timing
- Large family second residual waste bin
- Residual waste - 180 litre black-lidded wheeled bin
- Dry recycling - 240 litre green-lidded wheeled bin
- Kitchen waste recycling - 23 litre food waste caddy
- Complaint, change and modification
1. Introduction
1.1 Uttlesford District Council provides a weekly alternate collection of residual household waste and recyclable materials. The service is based on the use of one 180 litre wheeled bin for residual waste and one 240 litre wheeled bin for recyclable waste, and the weekly collection of kitchen waste in 23 litre food waste caddies, collected from the curtilage of each property or at a point designated by the council. In exceptional circumstances, decided by the council, communal bins or a box and bag system may be used to service certain properties.
1.2 The council provides the first 240 litre and 180 litre wheeled bins and the first 23 litre food waste caddy, free of charge, for the storage and collection of household waste and recyclable materials. The wheeled bins and food waste caddy remain the property of Uttlesford District Council at all times. If the householder moves to another property, the wheeled bins and food waste caddy should be left at the property for the new householder's use. Only wheeled bins supplied by the council will be emptied.
2. Property or location
2.1 The standard issue for all properties will be:
- one 240 litre
- one 180 litre wheeled bin
- one 23 litre food waste caddy
All properties will be expected to use the bins and food waste caddy unless the authority grants an exemption.
2.2 Exemptions
Only the authority can grant exemptions. The scheme is not optional and exemptions will usually meet one of the criteria.
Storage
The property is physically incapable of storing containers, anywhere within its boundary. Residents in these cases will use the box and bag system alongside the 23 litre food waste caddy, which should be placed out on the boundary of the property for collection, unless registered for an assisted collection.
Residents in these cases will retain their black or green recycling boxes and put them out for collection on the nominated day for combined dry recycling materials. On the alternating weeks they will set out their residual waste black sacks for kerbside collection. The number of black sacks will be limited to 4 per property. The food waste caddy will be used as per houses with the wheeled bin system.
In the event that the recycling boxes become damaged or are lost, Uttlesford District Council will not be able to replace these containers. Residents will be asked to place their dry recyclables out for collection in either clear or white bin liners, carrier bags or cardboard boxes.
Multiple occupation
The property is in multiple occupation (flats), in which case an alternative sized container may be used for shared use (i.e. 1100 litre).
Other circumstances
Exceptional other circumstances.
2.3 Failure to comply
Failure to comply with the conditions of service will result in non-collection of waste, and residents will be responsible for making their own arrangements for its safe and appropriate disposal.
2.4 Exclusions
Where the property is in a conservation area or within the curtilage of listed building (and other buildings in exceptional circumstances), where wheeled bins cannot be accommodated out of sight from the public domain they may be excluded and the property will remain on the boxed system.
3. Assisted collections
3.1 In special cases where all residents in the household are physically incapable of wheeling the bins and carrying the food waste caddy to the collection point, due to infirmity or disability, applications may be made for the council to collect the bins and food waste caddy from within the boundary of the property and return after emptying on behalf of the resident at no charge.
3.2 Absent residents and properties where some occupiers are able, (including caretakers etc.) will not be eligible for assisted collections. Houses of multiple occupation will be individually assessed.
3.3 Properties where it is simply inconvenient (i.e. long private drive, small number of steps) will not be eligible for assisted collections.
Common policy is to apply these criteria with a degree of individual assessment, for example what happens to infirm person who could wheel on even ground, but not up long drive - most councils would supply with an assisted collection in these cases.
3.4 Where in the opinion of the authority the use of an assisted collection would be cost prohibitive and it would be more cost effective to leave premises on sacks, a sack collection may be used as the standard method of collection. For example in a bungalow complex of aged residents, in these circumstances collections may be limited to two black sacks per property.
4. Timing
4.1 Wheeled bins and food waste caddies should only be put out no earlier than noon on the day prior to the day of collection, and not left at the curtilage for any longer than necessary.
4.2 Wheeled bins and food waste caddies should be put out for collection at the end of the property, at the point nearest to the highway (curtilage) but not on the highway, or at the collection point decided by the council.
4.3 Wheeled bins and food waste caddies should be made available for collection on the collection day by placing them at the curtilage of the property or a place designated by the council, with the handles of the bin facing the road, by no later than 7.00 am on the day of collection.
4.4 If the bin or caddy is not at the correct collection point at the time that the collection vehicle arrives the bin or caddy will not be emptied. The crew will not return to empty it until the next scheduled collection.
4.5 Wheeled bins and food waste caddies should not be placed on the highway, where they will obstruct cars, pedestrians or refuse collection vehicles. (This provision excludes private drives where it is up to the residents to find a suitable location). Care should be taken not to obstruct access by emergency vehicles.
5. Large family second residual waste bin
51. The residual waste wheeled bins are large enough to hold all normal household waste produced by households between collections without the need for additional bags or boxes, any additional waste placed beside the bin will not be collected. Only in exceptional circumstances, as decided by the council, such as delayed collections, will excess household waste be collected. Special arrangements may be made for households with a high occupancy level.
5.2 Care should be taken not to overfill the residual waste bin (top hatting). Care should also be taken to ensure that the bin is not too heavy for the machine to lift through over-compacting the waste. The removal of compacted waste not released from the bin during the collection process, and waste in bins which are too heavy for the vehicle to empty is the responsibility of the householder.
5.3 The lid of the residual waste bin should be kept closed at all times when not in use to deter access by flies and vermin and to avoid rainwater entering the bin.
5.4 Large families (i.e. more than 6 residents in full time occupation) may apply in writing for extra capacity for storage of their residual waste. Extra capacity will be supplied in the form of an additional 180 litre wheeled bin when the authority is satisfied that every reasonable effort has been made to divert waste through the recycling bin and food waste caddy, and extra waste is generated on a regular basis.
5.5 Residents who have a medical problem requiring larger storage capacity (i.e. incontinence pads) may apply for additional capacity. Families with more than one child in nappies will be classified within this category. All nappies and incontinence wastes should be doubled wrapped. Extra capacity will be supplied in the form of an additional 180 litre wheeled bin.
6. Side refuse
6.1 Any refuse placed by the side of the residual waste bin will not be collected unless:
- collections have been delayed more than the scheduled number of days (i.e. bank holidays / contractor failures (landfill) / suspension of service due to bad weather)
- it is the first collection after the Christmas and New Year bank holiday period
6.2 The collectors will leave a note attached to the bin explaining why the side refuse has been left, asking the resident to place all waste within the bin for the next collection. Collectors will not return to collect side refuse left after the scheduled collection.
7. Stolen or missing bins
7.1 The wheeled bins and food waste caddy remain the property of UDC and may not be removed. Residents are entrusted to keep and maintain the containers in a safe, clean and tidy condition.
7.2 The council will replace any wheeled bins or food waste caddies that are lost or damaged during collections, excluding any damaged as a result of prohibited waste being placed in the container.
7.3 Any wheeled bins or food waste caddies that become faulty through fair wear and tear will be repaired or replaced free of charge by Uttlesford District Council.
7.4 The resident will be responsible for replacing any wheeled bins or food waste caddies that are damaged by his or her misuse. The council will replace these on behalf of the resident and an appropriate charge will be made.
7.5 The resident will be responsible for keeping the wheeled bins and the food waste caddy safe and replacing any bins or food waste caddies that are lost or stolen in line with the policy that states that:
- the council will replace the first wheeled bin or food waste caddy reported as lost or stolen free of charge, but will issue a warning letter at the same time saying the next one will be charged for (if within the next 12 months), and will replaced and an appropriate charge will be made.
8. Residual waste - 180 litre black-lidded wheeled bin
Residents must not place the following items in the black-lidded residual waste bin:
- Commercial (trade waste)
- *Car Batteries and other car parts
- *Oil and other liquid waste including petroleum products and swills
- *Paint
- Loose ash (all ash should be double bagged prior to placing in the wheeled bin)
- *Heavy Material (i.e. brick rubble and articles over 25 kilograms in weight)
- *Garden Waste
- *Metal objects such as, bicycle frames, household machinery parts, gas cylinders fire extinguishers etc.;
- Clinical waste including dialysis waste, dressings, syringes and needles, drugs, tablets and medicines.
- Dead animals
- Explosive, corrosive or inflammable liquids or solids
- Pesticides, herbicides or fungicides
- Any other hazardous material
- *Tyres
- Any item likely to damage the vehicle or bin
- Kitchen waste (this should be placed in your 23 litre food waste caddy)
- Dry recyclable waste (this should be placed in your green-lidded recycling bin
All items marked * may be disposed of at the Recycling Centre for Household Waste. For other items, please phone for advice. Small amounts of animal waste .may be included but must be double bagged.
9. Dry recycling - 240 litre green-lidded wheeled bin
9.1 Residents are asked to place the following items in the green-lidded recycling bin:
- All types of paper
- Cardboard
- Clean plastics
- Metal tins, cans, aerosols and foils
- Glass bottles and jars
Please ensure all containers etc. are washed out and are clean. This list may be amended in the future. Residents will be notified in advance of any changes.
9.2 Residents must not place the following items in the green-lidded dry recycling bin:
- All items banned from the black-lidded residual waste bin
- All items which should be placed in the black-lidded residual waste bin
- Black bags
- Food waste
- Pet waste
- Nappies & sanitary products
- Soiled paper, cardboard and plastic
If residents have excess recyclable waste this may be left beside the green-lidded bin on collection day placed in clear or white bin liners or carrier bags. Large cardboard boxes can also be placed beside the bin on collection day.
Black bags cannot be accepted for recycling collections.
10. Kitchen waste recycling - 23 litre food waste caddy
10.1 Residents are asked to place the following items in the food waste caddy:
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Household cut flowers
- Cooked and uncooked food waste including meat and bones (either wrap in paper or purchase approved compostable bags displaying the seedling logo)
- Coffee grounds, tea bags and egg shells
- Paper and cardboard soiled by food
10.2 Residents must not place the following items in the food waste caddy:
- All items banned from the black-lidded residual waste bin
- All items which should be placed in the black-lidded residual waste bin
- All items that should be placed in the green-lidded recycling bin
- Plastic bags (only approved compostable bags will be accepted)
- Garden waste
Garden waste should be home composted where circumstances allow. Householders are encouraged to continue to compost their kitchen waste.
11. Contaminated bins
11.1 If residents place non-recyclable items in the green-lidded recycling bin, or non-compostable items in the waste caddy:
- collection will be refused and a leaflet will be left on the container advising the resident of the reason for non-collection. If all of the contaminating items are removed from the container collection will be made on the following collection.
Should the resident not be willing to remove the items, the resident can request that special arrangements are made for the contaminated container to be emptied on the next scheduled residual waste collection. A charge will be levied for this service to reflect the cost of disposal of the waste to landfill.
12. Key contacts
Service Area/Directorate: Environmental Services
13. Complaint, change and modification
Complaint
Via corporate complaints process.
Modification
Last reviewed 3 June 2011