Bins and bags

What can I put in my bin/bag?
Please visit our A to Z of Recycling and Waste page for more information.

When will my bin/bags be emptied?
You can view your collection dates, including Bank Holiday collections online using our Recycling and Waste Collection Calendar.

Where do I leave my bin/bags to be collected?
Present your bin with the lid fully closed, at the edge of your property, before 07:00am on your collection day. Please try not to block pavements for pedestrians. Please bring your bin/bags back in after your collection.

I live in a flat, what happens with my bins?
Flats and communal properties may have slightly different containers and collection systems in place. If you have any queries or concerns regarding your communal waste and recycling, please contact us.

What do I do if I think my bin/bag has been missed?
Bin/bag collections can be made any time up to 18:00 on your collection day. Please report missed bins the working day after your bin collection was due. Reports after this date will not be returned to.

• Visit our Waste and Recycling Calendar to ensure you have presented the right bin/bag on the right day
• Check for any service updates affecting your collection
• Check the bin/bag was presented before 07:00am on your collection day
• Check the bin/bag is a Council issued bin/bag
• Check our A to Z of Recycling and Waste to ensure that the bin/bag contained only acceptable materials (a tag may have been left on your bin/bag with details)
• Check the bin/bag is not too heavy
• Check blue bag lid is closed and the contents are dry

Contact us to report a missed bin/bag when you have completed the checks above. Subject to our final checks, a return collection will be made within three working days.

My bin/bag has been damaged or stolen.
 Contact us to order a replacement container.

I have moved into a new property and there are no bins/bags.
 Contact us to arrange delivery of your waste and recycling containers.

I cannot fit all my waste and recycling in my bin/bag.

• Grey Bin
• We are unable to accept side waste next to your grey bin
• Check our A to Z of Recycling and Waste page to ensure you are recycling as much as possible using your blue recycling bin and bag       
• Additional general waste can be taken to your local Recycling Centre
• Additional capacity may be provided where there is a medical need or a large family. Contact us for further information
   
• Blue Bin
• We are unable to accept side waste next to your blue bin
• Fold, squash and flatten items if safe to do so before placing in the blue bin
• Additional recycling can be taken to your local Recycling Centre

• Blue Bag
• We are unable to accept side waste or oversized cardboard next to your blue bag
• If you regularly have additional paper, card, and cardboard, please get in touch with us for a second blue bag
• Additional paper, card and cardboard can be taken to your local Recycling Centre
   
• Green Bin
• We are unable to accept side waste next to your green bin.
• To purchase an additional green bin permit, please visit our garden waste page *new Garden Waste Collection page*
• Household garden waste can be taken to your local Recycling Centre

I am having problems moving my wheeled bin/bag, is help available?
Yes, an assisted collection service can be provided. Please contact us to discuss this service.

Why was a blue bag introduced in 2022?

In the last few years, the market for recycling has changed a lot. Companies that take our used items to recycle them now need higher quality items that are clean, dry and free from contamination.

When items are mixed into one bin, they are harder to sort and separate ready for recycling. Items like glass can break and get stuck in other items like card. As companies ask for better quality material, the cost of sorting it has risen.

By keeping paper and card in a bag away from other items we can make sure it is much cleaner and drier. This means it can be turned into more new things than ever and be sent to paper mills in the UK. Cans, glass and plastics in the blue bin will also be easier to sort from each other at our local recycling site.

We know that there will be less contamination in the recycling which means fewer loads turned away from our recycling site. This will cost us less and help us recycle more

How should I store my blue bag?

The bag is waterproof and can be stored outside with your bins. The Velcro lid should be kept closed to keep the paper and card dry. The base of the bag has a weight inside the base to stop it from blowing away.

Alternatively, you may wish to store it in your property, shed or garage ahead of your collection day. The Velcro lid should be kept closed to keep the paper and card dry.

Where does my Waste and Recycling go?

• General Waste – We have been zero waste to landfill since 2013. All of South Staffordshire’s general waste is delivered to an Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) operated by Veolia at Four Ashes, South Staffordshire.  
• Recycling - All recycling collected from blue bins and bags is delivered to a Material Recycling Facility (MRF) operated by Biffa in Aldridge, West Midlands. At this plant, materials are separated and prepared to be turned into new products.
• Garden Waste – Is delivered to a composting site operated by Veolia, in Coven, South Staffordshire, where it is composted into environmentally friendly soil improver and used on local farms.

How do I sign up for this service?
 Click here to sign up. You will need to sign up annually for a garden waste collection service. The current collection year runs from July 3rd, 2023, to June 30th, 2024.

How long after sign up will my bin be emptied?

Once you have signed up to the garden waste collection service, it can take up to 7 days to add your subscription to our collection schedule, please allow for this when signing up.

When does my garden waste permit expire?
All current garden waste permits end on June 30th, 2024.

How much does it cost?
We have frozen the price at £43.60 per green bin for the period July 3rd 2023 to June 30th 2024. A charge of £43.60 applies irrespective of when you sign up during the year. Instalments and concessions are not available.

Why does the council charge for collecting my green bin?
Garden waste collections are not required by law and councils can choose to stop this service completely, this means that your council tax does not cover garden waste collections. By charging a fee, we are able to offer this service to residents who wish to use it.

How will crews know that I have subscribed?
Our waste collection staff have a full list of properties signed up to the service.

Once you have signed up, your bin will be stickered by our waste collection staff. You will no longer receive a sticker in the post.

Staff may not sticker your bin if the weather does not allow for it. Please present your green bin as normal, as staff will know that you have signed up.

Is there a limit to the number of green bins that I can have?
There is no limit to the number of green bins that we will empty from your property as long as there is a valid permit in place for each bin.

Will I be able to share a bin with a neighbour?
Yes, but we will only communicate with the property that signs up to the service.

How else can I dispose of garden waste?
Garden waste can be taken to a recycling centre (tip) or composted at home.

When will my green bin be emptied?
Every two weeks, with the exception of a four-week suspension over the Christmas/New Year period. You can view your recycling and waste collection calendar online.

What can I put in my green bin?
Please visit our A to Z of Recycling and Waste.

I have packaging listed as compostable, can I put this in my green bin?No, this material should be placed in your grey bin. The disposal site where garden waste is composted to is strictly regulated and cannot accept potato starch and other ‘compostable’ packaging.