CouncilFrequently asked questions
- What materials can I recycle from home?
- Do I need to wash & squash containers?
- What materials can I NOT recycle?
- How often are the recyclables collected?
- Where do I put my recyclables?
- Can I carry on using my green box?
- Can I get a purple recycling bin?
- I've run out of pink sacks. Can I get any more?
- Will my normal weekly rubbish collection change?
- What happens to the materials when they are collected?
- Why is my recycling going into a dust cart?
- Isn’t this all very expensive?
- What about the other materials?
- Access by stairs only
What materials can I recycle from home?
Newspaper and magazines; envelopes, junk mail and scrap paper; directories, brochures and catalogues; plastic bottles; food, drinks and pet food cans; aerosols; cardboard, greetings cards and card packaging; glass bottles and jars; beverage cartons, e.g Tetra paks.
For more information read the How to recycle page
Do I need to wash & squash containers?
Food and liquid residues from jars, bottles, tins and cartons can contaminate waste paper and make it harder to recycle. If you can rinse out containers that have held food or liquid it will ensure cleaner materials for recycling. It is also much more hygienic for you and the people working at the sorting facility. It is not essential to squash containers but if you flatten cardboard and cartons you will be able to fit more in your containers and it will help reduce the number of pink sacks we need to buy.
What materials can I NOT recycle?
Clothes, shoes, nappies, general rubbish, garden waste.
How often are the recyclables collected?
Once a week. Please refer to the collection schedule for your collection day. Some blocks of flats with space restrictions or very high numbers of properties receive collections twice a week.
Where do I put my recyclables?
You can put them in your pink sacks, purple recycling bin, pink recycling bag or green recycling box outside your door, or in the clearly marked containers in your communal bin area. Other bags can be used but must be labelled "recyclables". Please do not use black sacks – the recycling collection crews will not collect any black sacks due to problems with sacks of rubbish being accidentally collected in the past.
Can I carry on using my green box?
Yes.
Can I get a purple recycling bin?
Yes, if you have space to store it and the crews won’t have to move it up or down steps to empty. Please call 020 7364 5004 to make a request. A supervisor will check the suitability of your property before delivering a bin.
I’ve run out of pink sacks. Can I get any more?
The Council delivers packs containing 26 pink sacks twice a year. We realise that many residents will use more sacks than this, so they are available to pick up from Idea Stores and One Stop Shops. Alternatively, call us on 020 7364 5004 and we will arrange for a pack to be delivered to your property – unless you are scheduled to receive a delivery within a couple of weeks. You are welcome to place recyclables out in carrier bags or any suitable container whilst you are without pink sacks.
Will my normal weekly rubbish collection change?
No, the council has no plans to change from weekly rubbish collections. Many flats receive collections more frequently.
What happens to the materials when they are collected?
They are put into a clean bin truck, compacted and driven to a sorting facility at Crayford. The materials are separated by machines and taken to manufacturers to make new products.
Why is my recycling going into a dust cart?
It is the most energy efficient way of transporting recyclables and the vehicle is clean and used for no other purpose.
Isn’t this all very expensive?
Yes, but throwing rubbish in landfill sites is even more expensive because of the special landfill tax and stiff government penalties. Recycling is good for the environment.
What about the other materials?
Materials that cannot be placed in your recycling bag or box can be taken to the Re-use and recycling centre and local tip at Northumberland Wharf, Yabsley Street, E14
Access by stairs only
If the access to your home is by stairs only, you may need to bring your recyclables to a point where our collectors can safely take the load. We will arrange a large communal recycling bin in a convenient location nearby if it is practical to do so.
