A wheelie useful guide

What goes where?

What should I do if someone dumps waste in my bin?

The council will not collect bins that are contaminated with the wrong type of waste because of the problems this may cause at the reprocessing site - this is particularly important for the Brown Bin.

If this does happen you should remove the offending material and put it into the appropriate bin.

Where bins have to be stored near to the pavement we recommend that the Waste Bin (Green or Grey Bin) is placed nearest to the pavement.

What does 'contaminated bin' mean?

'Contaminated' is an industry term that simply means the wrong type of waste has been put in the bin. It does not imply unhygienic or hazardous.

Specifically, it means that a waste item that can't be recycled has been put in the Blue Bin and something that won't compost down has been put in the Brown Bin. As a result, the content of the bin can't be put through the intended recycling process.

The incorrect items must be removed from the bin

How is my Blue Bin waste sorted?

Content from the Blue Bin is sent to a recycling facility, where the different types of waste are separated out. Anything recyclable is then salvaged.

Where does the waste end up?

How the recovered materials are re-used varies depending on the markets available. Most of the materials will remain in the UK but some will be sent to the continent or even further afield eg China, for reprocessing.

It is illegal to export unsorted waste for recycling but it is permissible to export sorted waste for reprocessing. China is a major manufacturing economy and, as a result, needs a supply of raw materials and recycled materials.

The waste industry and the Environment Agency, which regulates the industry has drawn up a code of practice and quality control procedures to prevent the illegal export of waste. Harrow's material recycling contracts require that service providers comply with these procedures.

My bin (brown, blue or waste) hasn't been collected. Why not?

There are a couple possible reasons:

Was it out when the crew called?
Collections start at 6:30am

Were there additional bags or was the bin overflowing?
All waste should be properly contained in the appropriate bin.
The council does not collect excess waste or empty overflowing bins for Health and Safety reasons. Additional bins can be purchased.