Residents are being asked to help keep streets accessible on bin collection days after blocked access resulted in multiple properties having their bins missed.

The Waste and Recycling Service deals with access issues on a weekly basis which can significantly impact collections. For example, roadworks prevented us from servicing 356 properties on a single day on Wednesday 30 September.

In addition, blocked roads caused by parked vehicles and communal collection points obstructed by fly-tipped waste regularly affect our ability to collect bins. Last week alone on Tuesday (29 September 2026), fly-tipping in front of communal bins and cars prevented the collection of 158 bins. These are operational challenges that crews face routinely and are often outside of their control.

Our bin lorries are large vehicles and need enough room to safely travel along streets and manoeuvre around parked cars. Even if there appears to be enough room for a car to get through, there may not be enough space for a collection vehicle.

We’re therefore asking motorists to think carefully about where they park, particularly the night before and on the morning of bin day. Leaving streets, junctions and turning areas accessible can make the difference between a crew completing its round and an entire section of a street being missed.

Councillor Ndukwe Onuoha, Cabinet Member for Streetpride, Parks and Leisure, said:

Our crews work hard to collect thousands of bins across the city, but they can only do that if they’re able to safely reach them. We’re asking residents and motorists to help us by making sure streets are kept clear and accessible on collection days. A single obstruction can mean bins are missed for dozens of households, so please think about where you park and help us keep collections moving.”

Residents can also help collections run smoothly by making sure their bin is out by 6.30am, checking that they have put out the correct bin on the correct collection day, and ensuring the lid is fully closed. It is also essential that outdoor communal areas are kept clear to ensure that the team access bins.

If your bin has not been emptied, you can use our missed bin webpage to check why crews were unable to collect it. If you have checked the guidance and still believe your bin has been missed, it can be reported online within 48 hours of collections taking place in your street. Our teams aim to return within two working days.

Find out more about how to correctly store and present your bins on our website.