About the communal bin review
Purpose
We are working to improve our recycling and waste services for people living in flats and to improve the look of our neighbourhoods. The project is making it easier for residents to recycle by ensuring they have access to a full range of recycling bins and improved bin signage to make it easier to know what goes in each bin.
We have also redesigned the information leaflet to help you understand .
An assessment of all the sites has taken place and we’ve reviewed which bins are already available and where new bins need to be installed. As part of the assessment, we have ensured that the sites will comply with regulations.
On street bin hubs
Bins within communal bin hubs are for normal household waste. Larger items such as furniture should not be put in bins or left beside bins. Where possible, items should be donated to charity, or you can book a special uplift or take it to a household waste recycling centre.
Communal bin hubs are intended to keep all your bins neatly and safely in one location on your street or a nearby street. There are two bin hub layouts, and the design used depends on the parking and other aspects of the street. The layout of the bins within the hub is indicative and each standard bin hub has
- two bins for non-recyclable waste with a black lid and a black information sticker
- two bins for recyclable materials such as paper, card, plastic, tins with a green lid and a green information sticker
- one glass recycling bin, the smaller bin will have a purple lid and a purple information sticker
- one food waste bin with a black metal unit with a grey information sticker
- metal bars to keep the bins together in the same location.
The bins for non-recyclable waste and mixed recycling will be emptied up to every two days. This is an increase on the current service and allows us to reduce the number of bins on street without causing them to overflow. This also reduces the impact on parking spaces. By grouping bins together, we reduce any loss of parking and free up existing bin sites for parking.
Improved glass recycling and food waste service
The consultation carried out on the communal bin collection services in February 2018 told us that
- there is public desire for more recycling bins to be installed
- the ratio of non-recyclable waste bins to recycling bins felt imbalanced
- the installation of more bins would encourage positive recycling behaviours, with more glass and food bins being particularly requested.
The changes carried out by this project will ensure most residents can access glass recycling and food waste bins within 120 metres from their home.
Mis-use of bins
On-street bins are intended for use by nearby residents only. Any misuse, including trade waste, for example, from businesses or fly-tipping, means reduced capacity for residents. This leads to issues with over-flowing bins and litter which require additional resources to manage.