Accessibility
Accessibility

Bins and bags

Find Information about your different bins and bags and how to use them.

Please note: 

  • We collect general waste and recycling on alternating weeks 
  • Garden waste is collected fortnightly for permit holders only 
  • All bins and bags must be put out before 7am on collection day 

To see list of waste items and what to do with them, visit our A-Z of recycling and waste. 

What can I put in my bin?

General waste (grey bin)

Your grey bin is for general household waste which cannot be recycled.  

What you can put in your grey waste bin: 

Food waste  Waxed cartons (Tetra Pak) 
Pet waste Polystyrene 
Nappies  Dark coloured food trays 
Hard plastics, plastic bags, plastic film and plastic wrappers  Bubble wrap 

 

What you cannot put in your grey waste bin: 

Garden waste  Paint tins 
Batteries or electrical items Dead animals 
Hazardous items such as chemicals  Soil & and rubble 
Gas bottles, canisters, or pressurised containers   

If in doubt, leave it out. Bins containing non-acceptable items will NOT be emptied.

Small electrical items and batteries

To recycle small electrical items and/or household batteries, place them in a carrier bag (no black sacks) and put them next to your grey bin on your collection day.

Please do not put these items in your bin. 

We can collect any item with a plug (e.g. irons, hairdryers, toasters), smaller than 35x40cm and household batteries. 

We cannot collect light bulbs, fluorescent tubes or car/industrial batteries. These should be disposed of safely at your local recycling centre.  

Recycling bin (blue bin)

Your blue bin is for recyclable household waste, except for paper, card and cardboard. 

What you can put in your blue recycling bin:

Glass bottles and jars (lids separate)  Shampoo and bathroom bottles 
Tins and cans Household cleaning bottles 
Aerosol cans (empty)  Light coloured plastic food trays 
Plastic drink bottles (tops separate)  Yoghurt pots and margarine tubs 

 What you cannot put in your blue recycling bin:

Paper, card, and cardboard  Plastic carrier bags, film, bubble wrap and polystyrene
Food and liquids Paint tins 
Nappies  Dark coloured plastic food trays 
Wood  Textiles (e.g. clothes and shoes) 
Waxed cartons (Tetra Pak)  Electrical items and batteries 

 

If in doubt, leave it out. Bins containing non-acceptable items will NOT be emptied. 

 

Recycling bag (blue bag)

Your blue bag is for paper, card and cardboard recycling. 

Please do not place any other recyclable items within your blue bag

Garden waste (green bin)

Your green bin is for garden waste. You must be signed up for garden waste collections to receive this service

What you can put in your green bin: 

Grass cuttings 

Twigs 

Hedge and shrub clippings 

Cut flowers 

Leaves 

Small branches 

What you cannot put in your green bin: 

Household waste 

Large branches 

Food waste 

Rubble and stones 

Soil 

Invasive plants 

Wood 

 

If in doubt, leave it out. Bins containing non-acceptable items will NOT be emptied. 

Frequently asked questions

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 

  • Household garden waste can be taken to your local Recycling Centre

    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.

What if I need a bin taking away?

General waste bins (grey bin) 

One grey bin must remain at the property for general waste collection. 

If you have an additional grey bin for removal please complete the grey bin removal form on My Login.

Recycling bin (blue bin)

One blue bin must remain at the property for recycling collection. 

If you have an additional blue bin for removal please complete the blue bin removal form My Login. 

Recycling bag

We do not remove blue bags please reuse or repurpose or dispose at your local HRC. You can find your local Household Waste Recycling Centre here. 

Garden Waste (green bin) 

If you have a  green bin for removal please complete the green  bin removal form on My Login. 

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