What to do on bin day
It's an early start for us, refuse workers.
A typical day, we're leaving the yard about 6:30.
The main issue is just the bad parking, especially on tight streets.
So you've usually got a load of work vans that you have to have to get them to move or just squeeze through.
If your bins don't have the right things in them, they won't be collected.
Please refer to the online recycling helper if you are unaware of what goes where.
It's important that you don't overflow the bin so the collectors can move the bin as safely as possible, and also so the rubbish don't blow down the street.
You can leave extra recycling if it's in an open box or clear plastic bag.
Well, as you can see, it's really dark. We start early in the morning.
When people park on corners and double park, it restricts our access to empty people's bins.
That's why there's a lot of missed streets lately.
Three, four, one.
We've had members of the public coming up, shouting and giving abuse.
We we've missed a bin because it's got wrong items in it.
We do have residents and members of the public being aggressive because we won't take their bin.
We just have to give them the leaflet that we've got explaining what you can and can't put in them in.
We've all got a job to do. We've all got things to do.
Typical day for a refuse collector could be anywhere between 12 to 14 miles. Average weight on blue bins per day, anything between 10 and 13, 14 ton. On black bins, you could be looking at 30 ton.
Please do not leave bins on the street after they have been emptied.
As well as the risk of damage, loss, and theft, they restrict access to pedestrians.
So how can you help the day of a refuse collector go as smooth as possible?
You can see which bins are due to be collected and when, on the bin day lookup tool.
- Before you put your bins out, make sure they have the right things in them. If your bins don’t have the right things in them, they won’t be emptied. Check what goes in which bin or use the recycling helper.
- On collection day, please place your bins at the kerbside, outside your home by 6.30am. The lid must be closed.
- Please don’t leave any other bags or boxes of rubbish next your bin, they won’t be taken. You can leave extra recycling if it is in an open box or clear plastic bag.
- Please do not leave bins on the street after they have been emptied as they could be stolen, damaged or lost. Charges apply for some replacement bins.
If you have extra waste, you should first try and reduce your waste. Alternatively, you can book a visit to Raynesway HWRC or book a bulky waste collection.
If you have extra recycling, you can request an extra blue or brown bin.
We know that this can be more difficult in terraced properties so please make sure you can access the rear of your property to store your bins.
If your bins aren’t emptied, check our missed bin page.
Residents with shared bins
If you live in flats or a shared house, you need to work with your neighbours or housemates to make sure you’re all putting the right things in the right bins and not overloading bins or leaving excess waste.
If large, shared bins are overloaded or there is excess waste placed in front of or on top of the bins, we cannot empty them. Your landlord will have to pay for them to be emptied and extra rubbish removed.