FAQs
1. Why should I recycle?
We should all want to do the best for our Environment, which we are caretakers of for future generations. The kerbside service makes it easier and more convenient for everyone to recycle which in turn diverts material away from landfill, saves natural resources and energy, and helps to limit increases in waste disposal costs.
2. Why are you operating an alternate weekly collection service?
This type of system is the most cost effective way of delivering a high quality service that meets both the recycling targets set by central government and the needs of the local community. Using three containers which are collected on alternate weeks actually gives you more space for disposing of your waste than you have previously had. We will still be visiting every house every week to take away your waste or recyclables.
3. Doesn’t
No, all local authorities have a duty to collect your household waste but can say how often they offer collections and select the size, shape and type of containers used. Using three containers which are collected on alternate weeks gives you more space for disposing of your waste than you have previously had.
4. Is
No, there are between 150 and 200 other councils operating on the same basis.
5. What can go in my bins?
The grey bin is for recycling; paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, tin cans, plastic bottles (with the tops removed), aerosols, and foil items.
The green bin is for garden waste only; you should not put any kitchen waste in this bin.
The black bin is a last resort for anything you cannot put in either of the other bins which will then go to landfill (residual waste).
6. What happens if I put waste in the wrong bin?
If your bin is found to contain items which should not be in there it will not be collected as this will either contaminate the entire collection which would then have to go to landfill instead of being recycled or result in inappropriate materials being sent to landfill. You will be notified of the problem and advised to remedy it before collections recommence.
7. What if I can’t fit all my waste and recyclables in my bins?
If you have excess waste or recyclables you can take them to the Civic Amenity sites or to the recycling centres around the county. For details of sites please call 01572 722577.
8. What happens to the materials that are collected?
The dry recyclables are taken to a Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) where they are sorted and then sent for recycling into other products.
The garden waste is taken to a site for composting.
All residual waste (black bin) is taken to landfill. It is this type of waste that we are trying to reduce as much as possible. The dumping of waste into landfill is harmful to the environment, wasteful and will produce increasing costs for the residents of the county in the future.
Please try and reduce the amount of waste you produce in the first place.
9. How do I get rid of my garden waste?
- Buy or make a home composter. We have a special offer on these, for more details call 01572 722577 or visit www.rutland.getcomposting.com
- You can put your garden waste, not soil, in the green recycling bin and it will be collected and composted. Please do not bag garden waste before putting it in the bin. If you have more waste than will fit in the bin you can use the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Cottesmore and
- If you have a large garden and would regularly fill more than one green bin every two weeks you can have up to an additional two bins for payment of a fee of £35.25 (incl.VAT) each. This will give you additional capacity for garden waste at no further costs, the fee paid is a one off and the bin/s remain in the ownership of the Council and its contractor.
This is because government regulation means that normal composting plants are not allowed to accept any kitchen waste due to disease control measures introduced after the identification of BSE.
11. What size of branches can go in my green bin?
Garden waste will go through a shredder, as such it is important branches are no bigger than about four inches/ten centimetres in diameter, otherwise the shredder will become clogged and in all probability break. Branches should also be cut up into relatively small lenghts so they do not become wedged in the bin or stop the bin lid closing properly.
12. Why can’t I put recyclables or garden waste into bags before putting them into the grey or green bin?
Bags contaminate loads as they obstruct effective sorting of recyclables and will not compost down, they also get caught up in sorting equipment and cause breakdowns. As such whole loads may be rejected and have to go to landfill if contents are bagged.
13. I compost all my garden waste at home, or have a very small garden what should I do?
If you generate very little or no garden waste at home then please contact us and we will take your green bin away, however please note that if future monitoring finds any garden waste in your black or grey bins they will not be emptied until the contamination is removed. It may therefore be beneficial to keep the green bin if you feel you would need to use it from time to time, otherwise you will need to take excess garden waste to a civic amenity site/tip.
14. Why should I wash out tins and bottles?
This will help to ensure that you reduce the risk of smells etc from your grey bin and improve the efficiency of the recycling process.
15. Why can we only recycle plastic bottles and not tubs etc?
Currently only 'thermoplastics' (used in plastic bottles) can be cost-effectively sorted and recycled by the Council’s contractor. So for the time being, all rigid plastics (including bottle tops) as well as margarine tubs/yoghurt pots etc CANNOT be recycled through our recycling collections.
16. I shred a lot of private papers, what should I do with the shredded paper?
We cannot accept shredded paper in the grey bin as it contaminates other recyclables and our contractors sorting equipment has difficulty separating it efficiently. We would encourage you to take your shredded paper to one of the paper recycling banks around the County, however if you cannot or do not wish to do so then please bag it and put it in your black landfill waste bin.
17. What do I do with Ashes?
Please let any ashes go cold and then bag them before putting into your black landfill bin. As an alternative wood ash can be added to your home compost mix in the garden or used as a slug deterrent by circling it around plants.
18. What should I do with nappies?
Disposable nappies should be wrapped or bagged as soon as possible after use, to hold in smells etc and placed in the residual waste bin. Have you considered using washable nappies? Washable nappies today are shaped, fasten easily and come in all different sizes and colours. For more information please contact:
Real Nappy association
Address:
Telephone Helpline: 0845 850 0606
Website: www.realnappycampaign.com
19. What are the rules of collection?
- Please make sure that your bin is ready for collection by 7:00 am on the morning of collection.
- Please make sure that the bin lid is fully closed. Our lifting equipment can damage the bins if the lid isn’t closed fully and vermin/flies can get at the contents, as such bins with open/partly open lids will not be emptied.
- Side waste and waste left on top of bins will not be collected
- Contaminated bins (i.e. with the wrong items in) will not be emptied Therefore please ensure you only put the correct items in each bin, see information leaflets or www.recycle4rutland.org.uk for details.
20. Where should I store my bins?
You can store your bins anywhere on your property. Please do not store them on the footway or road. Please store your bins with their lids closed and if possible out of direct sunlight to prevent possible smells and recyclable materials from getting wet.
21. What happens if my bin gets stolen or broken?
Contact customer services on: 01572 722577 to arrange for repairs to be made or for your bin to be replaced, at no charge to yourself unless there has been obvious negligence by residents.
22. I have a large family, what can I do?
If there are five or more permanent residents in your house and you regularly overfill your black or grey bins you can request an additional 240 litre black and/or grey wheeled bin at no charge. Please call 01572 722577.
23. What if I have difficulty moving my bins?
We understand that if you are infirm, elderly of disabled you may have difficulty moving your bin to the front of your property on collection day. If you do not have a friend, neighbour or relative nearby who can help we offer an assisted collection service if no one in your household can wheel the bin to the edge of your property. On collection day our contractor will collect the bin and then return it for you when it has been emptied. Please contact us on 01572 722577 for more details.
24. How will I know which bins to put out each week?
The grey and green bins are collected one week with the black bin emptied the other week on an alternating basis, please note the green bin will only be emptied once a month from December to February each year.
25. Does the service operate on Bank Holidays?
The service operates on all bank holidays with the exception of Christmas and New Year only. If your normal collection day falls on a bank holiday e.g. “Mayday”, Spring Bank Holiday or August Bank Holiday Monday please remember to put your bin/s out as normal.
We recognise that at Christmas residents have more waste to dispose of than normal. You will be provided with two side waste bags for additional landfill waste only. We will only collect the two bags that have been provided to you by the contractor. Please recycle as much as you can by using the Civic Amenity sites and recycling centres.
27. What happens if I am on holiday on my collection day?
If you can’t arrange for someone to put your bins out while you are away, we won’t be able to collect them, as is the case now. If you know you are going to be away plan ahead and reduce the amount of rubbish you leave in your bins.
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28. If my refuse is collected every other week, will it smell?
Follow these simple guidelines and you can ensure that any smells arising from your bin are minimised:
· Double wrap food waste as soon as possible, before putting into your bin.
· Compost uncooked vegetable and fruit waste, you can get details about subsidised compost bins by calling 01572 722577 or by visiting www.rutland.getcomposting.com
· Store your bin out of direct sunlight.
· Keep the lid of your bin firmly closed to prevent animals and flies getting in and any smells escaping.
· Wash your bin regularly.
These measures will also stop flies having access to your waste.
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29. How can I clean my bins?
Follow these simple guidelines:
- Pour in a bowl of hot soapy water
- Scrub with a sweeping brush or yard broom
- Tip the bin on its side and empty out the water
- Stand upright and leave the lid open to dry out.
Professional companies are available who will clean your bins for you at a cost.
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