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Home and community

Bins and waste collection

Your local council is responsible for the collection and disposal of waste in your area. Household waste from homes, litter from streets and parks, and household waste is collected on a regular basis and taken to civic amenity sites.

Collections made by the council

Each council will decide how and when waste will be collected. Household waste from your home is usually collected on a weekly basis. But often waste for recycling and the remainder of the waste is collected separately and at different intervals. Contact your local council if your bin is missed from the normal collection.

Larger items such as furniture or kitchen goods, such as fridges and washing machines, may be collected by arrangement for a small charge. Your council should have a list of items they will and will not collect, and any fee for collecting items.

If you have a lot of larger items you can take them to your local civic amenity site yourself. Contact your council's environmental services or waste management department to find out the arrangements in your area.

Council bins

Many areas of the UK have re-thought the way they deal with household waste in accordance with environmental issues. Some councils may provide separate bins for the collection of waste to be recycled - these are usually green.

Some councils do not supply households with domestic refuse bins. You must contact the waste collection department within your council to see if you can arrange to have a refuse container.

If your bin is lost or stolen you should contact your council straight away. The council will advise you on how you can secure your bin, to avoid theft.

How you can help your council

To assist with the removal of household waste you should follow these simple guidelines:

  • put refuse out to the edge of your property for emptying
  • make sure refuse sacks are tied
  • making sure that when you request removal of large items, these items are easily accessible on the day you have arranged to collect them

Find out about bins and waste collection

The following links will let you enter details of where you live and then take you to your local authority website where you can find out more.

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