Household waste collection policy 2026

The containers set out in policy 1 and 2 are available as standard, however, residents can request additional capacity if they meet one or more of the following criteria and provide evidence:

• there are 5 or more permanent residents in the household and excessive general waste is produced
• any household with 2 or more children in nappies (temporary)
• a resident in the household has medical needs creating an unusual amount of waste, produced on a regular basis i.e. someone with specialist dietary requirements (temporary or permanent)
• a household where a large quantity of hygiene waste (for example incontinence pads) is being produced (temporary or permanent)

From 2026, all larger bins for general waste are 240 litres and we no longer issue 360L bins. All households that request additional capacity will have to complete an online application as to how they meet the criteria, and this will include proof of residency of all those residing at a property. Checks may be made on any application and may include:

• a waste audit to ensure the household is utilising the recycling bins as much as possible, when only additional general waste capacity has been requested
• a check on the names listed permanently residing at the property
• a check that the criteria above have been satisfied
• site visits to ensure the information is still relevant

Wherever possible, additional recycling and food waste capacity will be provided in preference to general waste. A larger general waste bin of 240 litres is only approved on the agreement that the household is making full use of the recycling service.

If additional capacity is authorised due to two or more children in nappies, then the maximum duration of the additional capacity period will be three years, unless there is specific needs.

For households with narrow access, the provision of additional capacity will be subject to the same qualifying criteria. Additional capacity provided may be:

• food waste - up to 1 extra 23L food bin
• paper recycling - up to 1 extra paper box (South only)
• dry mixed recycling - 360L bin (or up to 4 extra reusable bags)
• general waste - 240L bin (or up to 104 extra purple sacks per year)

The council reserves the right to request householders to re-apply for additional capacity every three years. Following this request, if householders do not submit sufficient evidence to qualify for additional capacity, then waste capacity will revert to the containers set out in policies 1 to 3. Charges may apply.

If a larger bin of 240L or 360L needs to be replaced due to damage or is lost or stolen and was issued more than three years ago, the household will be issued with a standard 180L bin (South) or 140L bin (North). A new application can be made for a larger 240L bin if the household still meets the criteria.

Smaller 140 litre wheeled bins may be available for residents to use upon request. These may be considered for use where storage space is limited, access or space to a collection point is problematic or at the request of a resident.

These bins will be collected on the same frequency as the standard service and requests will be considered on an individual basis. Smaller bins are available for general waste bins (South only), recycling bins and garden bins.

Garden waste charges will be the same as a standard size bin.

Our Assisted Collection service is available to residents with a disability or mobility issue where no one else in the household can take the containers to the normal collection point (see Policy 10).

This is only offered if there is nobody over the age of 16 at the property who can bring the bins to the boundary of the property for collection.

The criteria for an Assisted collection is as follows:

• Aged 75 or over
• Have a certified short or long-term medical condition
• Be registered with a disability

This service can be requested by completing an application form which needs to be signed by a GP or medical professional supporting the need for an assisted collection.

The collection crews will collect the container from an agreed storage point, empty the container and return them back to the agreed storage point.

The containers must be easily accessible for the collection crews, visible from the road, gates left unlocked where necessary and the collection crew should be easily able to manoeuvre the bins from the property. The decision of where to place the containers will be based on ease of collection and usage of the containers and not based on street scene aesthetics. Ensure there are no overhanging branches or shrubs. Dogs or other potentially dangerous animals must not be roaming free on the property on collection day. Wherever possible the bins will be stored at the front of the property to enable easy collection, or at the rear if the collection road is situated at the rear of the property. All containers must be kept in the same location.

Checks may be carried out by the council every two years on the resident’s suitability for the collection and evidence requested from the householder. Any change in circumstance must be notified to the council as soon as possible.

Replacement of a council provided waste container/s may be subject to a charge depending on the circumstance of the loss.

The council recommends that residents clearly mark the containers at their property with their house number and/or name. Replacement containers may be re-used containers which have been assessed for suitability and cleaned.

Outlined below are details of the different situations which may occur:

If a container has been lost or stolen, residents must check with neighbours and the surrounding area where the container went missing.

If containers cannot be found a few days after the last collection, then a request can be made to replace the container. This service may be subject to a charge.

• If a container has been damaged through day-to-day usage, then a request can be made for a replacement container. The damaged container, however, must be left out to be swapped with an undamaged container. If the damaged container is not left out, then a new container may not be left. This service may be subject to a charge.
• Dirty containers will not be deemed damaged and will not be replaced. It is the responsibility of resident to clean the containers they are provided with.
• Any container which has been damaged through misuse, vandalism or caused by animals or wildlife, therefore not wear & tear will be chargeable.

If a resident has recently moved into a property, it is the responsibility of the new resident to ensure the containers have been left by the previous occupiers. If containers cannot be found, then a request can be made for a replacement container.

New containers for a property where they haven’t been left for the new occupier are chargeable.

• For any new development it is the responsibility of the developer, or the new occupier in the second instance, to request and pay for waste containers.
• Containers will only be delivered once payment has been received in full.
• Delivery may take up to 4 to 8 weeks from payment dependant of the number and size of bins required.
• Where the council believe there is sufficient room for recycling, all containers must be purchased for general waste, recycling, paper/card, and food waste (for communal properties, food waste only applies where the service is available).

Occasionally containers may fall into the back of a vehicle during the emptying process. This will be reported to the council by the crews and a replacement issued automatically, free of charge.