Putting out rubbish for collection

Non-standard households

The service will only provide one container per collection service apart from in limited circumstances. These will include the following and will be recorded on the waste collection software system:

• Properties that are occupied by larger households where the standard bin exchange does not provide sufficient bin capacity for the occupancy levels.
• Properties that are houses in multiple occupation (HMO).
• Properties where more than one garden waste collection subscription has been paid for.

Households may find that they cannot contain all their rubbish and/or recycling in the standard kerbside containers provided. It this is on a temporary basis they should retain the rubbish or recycling until their bin is emptied and place in the emptied container ready for the next scheduled collection or take it to the household recycling centre.

Only in the following circumstances will the waste collection service consider exchanging the standard wheeled bin for a larger size: 

• household has 6 or more occupants
• household is producing much more waste or recycling due to a specific circumstance such as ongoing medical condition

Whilst a request for a larger container will be considered it needs to be noted that any household will need to demonstrate that they are separating out as much of their recyclable waste and routinely using the blue lid recycling bin.  

Non-standard properties

For some properties the provision of a standard kerbside collection container package is unsuitable due to the properties location or topography, which makes a standard collection unsafe.  Where a black sack domestic waste collection and/or clear sack recycling collection is provided, householders are required to purchase their own black sacks but will be provided with clear sacks for mixed dry recycling upon request. For sack collections the Council reserves the right to restrict the number of bags of residual/domestic waste that will be taken.

Different bin sizes available

We stock the following wheeled bin and food waste container sizes for domestic properties:

Bin exchange periodic review

This service will be reviewed periodically, and any larger bins swapped for the standard size when the household no longer meets the qualifying criteria. Informal monitoring will take place and the larger bin(s) will be swapped back to the standard size one when the household:

• is not recycling or using their blue lid recycling bin correctly and simply using extra grey bin capacity so does not need to separate out recyclables
• is not using the bin correctly
• is found to have obtained the larger bin under false circumstances; or,
• has changed circumstances and no longer needs additional capacity

Households of ten or more

Normally only one bin or container will be provided for each service per property. A larger household ie, over 6 where occupants have medical circumstances that mean that they are producing a higher than usual amount of residual household or recyclable waste may also be considered for an additional container. However, if a household has more than 10 people occupying their property (including babies and children) then the following may apply:     

To request an additional container, residents should call the council call centre on 0121 368 1177. 

Properties with restricted storage for bins

In some circumstances the standard suite of wheeled bin containers cannot be used due to very limited storage space on the property and access to the adopted highway and/or associated health and safety implications for either the householder and/or collection team.  See table below for the alternative receptacle that will apply:

Restricted access to the adopted highway from boundary storage

In some circumstances the standard suite of wheeled bin containers cannot be used due to the location of the property and access to the adopted highway and/or associated health and safety implications for either the householder and/or collection team. See table below for alternative collection receptacle that will apply:

Communal buildings

Houses in multiple occupation (HMO) and flats or apartment blocks will be provided with containers appropriate to their occupancy and available storage space.