Bin changes

We have made the following changes to the waste and recycling collection services in Sandwell:

• A wheeled bin container for weekly household waste/refuse collection.
• Introduction of a weekly food waste collection.
• Increase in collection frequency of the blue lid recycling collection to weekly.

In addition we now provide a free text and email update service to receive updates and other information about collections.

Recycling collections for flats, apartments, sheltered housing and properties with communal bin stores will be introduced later in 2012 after each block/unit has been surveyed to determine the most appropriate system.

The changes to the waste and recycling collection will help to:

• Improve the cleanliness of neighbourhoods by reducing the amount of litter that ends up on streets from split or ripped black sacks.
• Save residents money spent on food by highlighting the amount that is thrown away by families each week.
• Save the environment by recycling more and sending less waste to landfil.

Household waste/refuse collection

A dark grey wheeled bin has been given to each household. This replaces the old black dustbins or black bags. If you still want to use black sacks, these should be placed inside your new dark grey wheeled bin.

Use the grey wheeled bin for anything that cannot be recycled in your blue lid, garden waste or food recycling bins.

Collection improvements:

• Still a weekly collection.
• No more animals tearing black bags.
• Less litter on the streets.
• Twice the size of a standard dustbin.

The new food waste collection

Use the mini grey kitchen container to collect all your food waste and empty it into the brown outdoor container.

Benefits of the food waste collection:

• You will have a weekly collection.
• Save money and cut food waste by becoming aware of how much you throw away.
• Save the environment -  food waste will be turned into compost.

You can now recycle any types of food including: 

• dairy
• fish
• fruit and vegetables
• meat and bones
• bread and pastries
• pasta and rice
• tea and coffee ground.

You can keep your food waste container clean by lining it with newspaper or kitchen roll.

You can also purchase compostable liners for food waste - please do not use plastic bags for food waste - they will not be accepted

Your blue lid recycling bin

As part of the new service, your existing blue lid recycling bin collection is now weekly.

Please remember

• All your bins including your new household waste bin and brown food waste container should be put in the same place at the edge of your property.
• Please make sure your bins are out by 6.45am on your collection day
• There is no change to you collection day
• There is no change to your garden waste collection - it remains fortnightly.
• See the bin day finder for your next collection date
• More information is available on the waste collection information page

This information constitutes formal notice of a change to your domestic refuse collection services as required by Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.