Communal general waste bins

Most flats, sheltered accommodation and apartment complexes in the borough have large communal bins (shared bins) provided to them rather than wheeled bins.

Help us to give you the best service possible

  • Refrain from putting bulky items into the communal bins. If you have large items to dispose of, they can be taken to one of the local household waste sites or the Council can collect it for a charge.
  • Use the correct bins for your waste. The green bins are for recycling only and cannot have general waste put into them.
  • Shut the bin lids after use; leaving them open could attract flies to the area.
  • We will only collect waste that is contained within the bins.  Waste that is on the floor or on top of the bins will NOT be taken and may be treated as fly tipping.
  • Ask neighbours and visitors to keep bin collections in mind when parking; many flat collections do not take place when scheduled due to access issues.

What can you put in to the communal general waste bins?

  • Bagged household waste only – this does not include electrical items or DIY waste. 

Bins provided

Flats, apartments and sheltered accommodation complexes are serviced in a different way to households.  The size and number of bins depends on:

  • number of residents
  • storage space
  • access for residents and collection staff

Bulky items left in bin areas

Leaving furniture or bulky items within the bin store area is not permitted and may prevent us collecting your waste and recycling.  You should dispose of it at your local household waste site, alternatively the Council can collect for a charge through the large household item collection scheme.

Communal recycling bins

Where space is available and where it is agreed with landowners/management companies, communal recycling facilities are available for residents of flats, apartments and sheltered housing accommodation to recycle mixed glass, cans, plastic pots, tubs, bottle, trays, cardboard and paper.

Help us give you the best service possible:

  • Please do not put bulky items into the communal recycling bins.
  • Use the correct bins for your recycling and waste; do not use the green recycling bins for household waste as they will not be collected.
  • Shut the bin lids after use.
  • We will only collect correct recycling that is contained within the bins.  Recycling that is on the floor or on top of the bins will NOT be taken and may be treated as fly tipping.
  • Do not put black bin liners/bags into the recycling bins.
  • Place all recycling loose into the recycling bins.  We cannot accept plastic bags or bagged recycling.  
  • Ask neighbours and visitors to keep bin collections in mind when parking; many collections do not take place when scheduled due to access issues.

What can you put into the communal recycling bins?

Green recycling bin

The green recycling bin can be used to recycle the following items only:

  • Empty aerosols cans
  • Steel and aluminium tins and cans
  • Clean aluminium foil and food trays
  • Glass bottles and jars of all colours (lids removed and placed separately in the recycling bin)
  • Plastic drink and milk bottles (leave lids on)
  • Plastic containers and tubs
  • Plastic cups, plates and cutlery
  • Plastic food trays (not black)
  • Plastic detergent bottles (leave lids on)

 Blue wheeled bin

The blue wheeled bin can be used to recycle the following items only:

  • All types of cardboard (please break down any large cardboard boxes)
  • Brown paper
  • Plain greetings cards
  • Newspapers and magazines
  • Envelopes
  • Junk mail
  • All telephone directories
  • Brochures
  • Computer paper

Please DO NOT put these items into the recycling bins:

  • Clothing or textiles
  • Footwear
  • Bagged recycling
  • Black bin liners/bags
  • Plastic carrier bags
  • Waxed cartons including Tetra Pak (soup, juice, milk cartons)
  • Food waste
  • Electrical items
  • Nappies
  • General household waste

Bins provided

Flats, apartments and sheltered accommodation complexes are serviced in a different way to households. The size and number of bins depends on:

  • number of residents
  • storage space
  • access for residents and collection staff

It is imperative that the correct bins are used for the right waste.  If you are unsure about whether an item can be recycled or not please email [email protected] or contact Customer Services on 0800 269098 for advice.

Bulky items left in bin areas

Leaving furniture or bulky items within the bin store area may prevent us collecting your waste and recycling.  You can dispose of it at your local household waste site. Alternatively the Council can collect for a charge through the large household item collection scheme.