Waste collection information
As a managing agent or landlord for a communal property, you will have recently received a letter outlining the forthcoming changes to the Council’s waste and recycling services. The information below provides further guidance to help you understand how these changes affect your properties, how collections will be managed and what steps you may need to take to prepare. We encourage you to review the information carefully below to ensure a smooth transition for the residents you support.
The Council’s waste collection crews will only collect waste and recycling presented in adequate and suitable bins. This requirement is necessary to ensure safe handling, consistent service and compliance with collection standards.
Please use our communal waste calculator to understand the required size bins for the number of communal properties serviced by each bin store across your properties.
When using the calculator, please round up to the nearest bin size. The calculations provided are for guidance only and you may wish to include a tolerance level of 15% either way, of the calculated results to reflect variance in waste produced.
Purchasing Required Bins
Any additional bins that are required at your site(s) must be purchased and in place before the new waste collection service starts on 1 June 2026. It is the responsibility of the managing agent / landlord or housing association to provide all the necessary bins to ensure service continuity for residents.
All bins must comply with the EN840 standard which ensures they can be safely lifted and emptied by the Council’s collection crews. Most industry suppliers will meet this standard; however, you should confirm with them before placing an order. The standardised bin sizes available are:
- 240l
- 360l
- 660l
- 770l
- 1100l
Waste streams that require separate bins for the storage of the following materials:
- Refuse (general waste) - fortnightly collections
- Paper and card - alternate fortnightly collections
- Mixed recycling (plastic, metal, glass, soft plastics, food and drink cartons) - alternate fortnightly collections
- Food recycling - weekly collections
Please note the initial food waste bin will be provided by the Council in preparation for June 2026. Any future requirements for food waste bins should be provided by the managing agent / landlord or developer.
If the bins sizes required for the new service do not fit within your current storage area and you would like some support, please use the online web form to contact the Waste Review team to discuss. We recognise that there may be practical issues or concerns relating to these changes and we are committed to supporting you through the process. A member of the team will be in contact with you within 3 working days to discuss your situation and explore possible options.
Bin Store Suitability
We ask managing agents to review existing bin stores to check whether they can safely accommodate the required containers. As a general guide, bin stores should allow safe access to all bins, adequate spacing so containers can be moved without risk and clear pathways of approximately 150 cm where practicable.
We recognise that not all properties can meet these preferred dimensions. If your property has space constraints or structural limitations and you would like some support, please contact us so we can work with you to agree a proportionate and reasonable solution.
If you are unsure about any of the required changes, please speak with us before making any alterations to your bin stores.
Access, Safety and Maintenance
To ensure safe and reliable waste collections where bin stores are locked or behind secure gates, managing agents will need to provide the Council with appropriate access. Bin store areas should be kept free of obstructions such as vehicles, bulky waste, or items that prevent containers being moved safely.
Communal bins should be monitored to ensure they are not dangerously overflowing and that contamination is minimised. Where access cannot be provided, or where health and safety risks prevent crews from safely entering a bin area, collections may not be possible until the issue is resolved.
We can provide samples of signage suitable for bin stickers to help inform residents about what materials should be placed in each container. We can also provide a sample poster for communal areas, such as stairwells and noticeboards to assist residents with the upcoming changes. You may look to design your own messaging, if preferred for residents, but please ensure all relevant information is clearly included. Please email the Waste Review team if you would like to receive the samples or advice on what information is required.
Bulky Waste Collections
If you or a resident would like to arrange a bulky waste collection, this service is currently managed by our Customer Service team. Please contact them on 01376 552525.
