Frequently asked questions about recycling and waste

We have provided some answers to frequently asked questions on this section.

Recycling, food waste and general waste collections

1. How can I start recycling?
2. Where do I put my recyclables / food waste for collection?
3. It is my collection day and my recycling / waste / food waste has not yet been collected, what do I do?
4. How can I get more recycling sacks or corn starch liners?
5. Can I get a wheelie bin to store my recycling?
6. What should I put my general waste into
7. What can I recycle in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins?
8. What can’t I recycle in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins?
9. How can I recycle other materials?
10. Why are all the recyclable materials mixed together in the pink sacks and recycling bins?
11. What happens to the materials collected for recycling?
12. Why can’t I recycle all the materials that have the “recyclable” symbol on them?

Composting and wormeries

1. How should I start off my compost bin?
2. Should I put my compost in the sun or shade?
3. How long will it take for me to make compost?
4. There is a nasty smell coming from my compost bin, what is it?
5. My waste seems to be taking ages to turn into compost why is this?
6. My compost has been attracting animals / insects, why is this and what can I do?
7. What can I use my compost for?
8. What is the best way to start a wormery?
9. What happens to my wormery if I go on holiday ?
10. Where can I keep my wormery ?
11. Will the wormery smell?
12. Will I need to buy more worms?

If you can’t see the answer to your question please contact us.

London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Clean and Green (Waste Management)
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London
E14 1BY

Tel: 020 7364 5004
Fax: 020 7364 6885

Email: generalenquiries@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Recycling, food waste and general waste collections

1. How can I start recycling?

Every resident in Tower Hamlets can recycle.  Recycling will either be collected from your doorstep or a purple recycling bin will be provided for you to drop your recycling in to.  See recycling from home for more information.

If you live in a block of flats and can’t find a nearby recycling bin please contact us or your housing manager to discuss whether a recycling bin can be installed.

Businesses that would like to recycle can sign up to receive trade waste collections.  The Council provides this service through its contractor Veolia.  You can have your trade waste collected as frequently as you need, and the service is charged 'by the container'. Prices for recycling containers are significantly discounted.  See recycling and waste at work for more information.

2. Where do I put my recyclables / food waste for collection?

If recycling / food waste is collected from your doorstep you can put it in a safe spot outside your door on collection day.  Please note caddies, boxes or sacks must not obstruct landings or walkways.  Please make sure that you put your container in a location that it is clearly visible to crews from the road and pavement.

If you have communal bins then simply place your recyclables / food waste in the appropriate container. This will usually be located either within the bin chamber or nearby to it – the containers should be clearly labelled.

3. It is my collection day and my recycling / waste / food waste has not yet been collected, what do I do?

Collection crews can work up to 5pm particularly if there has been a delay.  However, if you are concerned please contact us.  We will check current progress of the collection crews.  If it is found that the collection has been missed then arrangements will be made to collect your recycling within 24 hours. 

If your recycling or food waste is collected from your doorstep please check that it is easily visible to collection crews from the road or pavement.

4. How can I get more recycling sacks or corn starch liners?

Recycling sacks are delivered to residents doors every few months.  If you live in a household that is included in the food waste collection scheme you will also receive special corn starch liners. 

If you run out of pink recycling sacks or corn starch liners you can order some more:

• Call us on 020 7364 5004
• Use this online ordering form (pink recycling sacks only)
• Email generalenquiries@towerhamlets.gov.uk
• Visiting your local One Stop Shop, Idea Store or library
• Visiting the Town Hall or Anchorage House (between 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday only)

Never put recycling in black sacks.  The collection crews cannot see what is inside and will have to assume that the bag contains non-recyclable materials (contaminants).  If this happens the recycling will have to be sent to landfill. Food waste should only be put into the special corn starch liners.  Carrier bags – even those that say they are degradable - do not break down in the compost.

Businesses must always use special trade recycling or waste sacks or bin.  You should never use household sacks or bins to dispose of trade waste as this is illegal and could result in you being issued with a penalty. See recycling and waste at work for more information.

5. Can I get a wheelie bin to store my recycling?

Yes, we offer two different sized purple bins to residents living in houses. These are: 140 litre (48cm wide x 55cm deep x 107cm high); 240 litre (58cm wide x 73cm deep x 108cm high).

Please note, these wheelie bins are only available to residents on the kerbside collection scheme who can store the bin somewhere on their own property (i.e. front garden). Bins must not be stored on the public highway or foot path. The bin must be made available for the crew to collect, e.g. they can not lift the bin or manoeuvre it up or down flights of stairs.

6. What should I put my general waste into?

We do not provide bins to residents for the disposal of household waste therefore you need to purchase your own waste bin or bags.  We can collect refuse stored in sacks, wheeled bins or dustbins.  If you purchase a dustbin or wheelie bin you must make sure that it is stored on your own property (not the street) and that the collection crews can move it to the collection vehicle (e.g. crews cannot move large bins up flights of stairs).

7. What can I recycle in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins

All of the following materials can be recycled in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins:

• Glass bottles and jars (all colours)
• Food and drink cans
• All types of plastic bottles (e.g. drink bottles, bleach bottles and shampoo bottles)
• Cardboard (e.g. brown boxes, greeting cards and cereal boxes)
• Paper (e.g. newspapers and magazines, printer paper, envelopes, and telephone directories)
• Cartons (e.g. fruit juice, dairy and soup cartons) 
• Empty aerosol canisters

The materials can all be mixed together as they are sorted out after collection at a materials recovery facility.

8. What can’t I recycle in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins?

It is very important to only recycle the correct materials using the pink sacks and purple recycling bin.

Other materials (contaminants) can be difficult or impossible to recycle and can damage machinery at the materials recovery facility and spoil other materials meaning that they can’t be recycled. For example, textiles become tangled in the machinery at the materials recovery facility and liquids from food waste can soak into paper.

Common materials that cannot be recycled through the pink sacks and purple bins: 

Food waste: Food waste is one of the worst contaminants of the recycling. Any food waste, including that left in any unrinsed cans and cartons, can soak into paper and cardboard so it cannot be recycled.  It is also makes the recycling unpleasant to store, collect and sort.

Nappies: Nappies are also a serious contaminant. They make the recycling unpleasant to store, collect and sort. 

Textiles and shoes: Textiles become tangled in the machinery at the materials recovery facility and can damage it.  Because they are collected with the glass, which breaks, it would be dangerous to try to recycle them.

Aluminium foil:  Foil such as pie cases, milk bottle tops or kitchen foil is a lower quality to aluminium cans and can reduce the quality of recycled aluminium if it is processed with the cans.

Polystyrene: Polystyrene is a very low quality type of plastic. This makes it difficult to recycle and there are very few recycling plants that can accept it for recycling.

9. How can I recycle other materials?

For information about recycling other materials see our A to Z recycling guide.

10. Why are all the recyclable materials mixed together in the pink sacks and purple recycling bins?

We collect all the recyclable materials mixed together in order to make recycling as easy as possible.  This means you don’t need to store the materials separately or sort them out when you recycle them. It also means that for blocks of flats or businesses where there is not much space for large recycling bins all materials can be collected for recycling rather than just one or two.

After collection the materials are all sorted out by machinery at a recycling plant called a materials recovery facility before being sent on to be recycled into new products

11. What happens to the materials collected for recycling?

All the recyclable material collected in Tower Hamlets is sent to be turned into new products.  For example: 

• Glass bottles and jars are turned into building sand, insulation or lightweight construction aggregate.
• Plastic bottles and the pink recycling sacks can be processed into a variety of new plastic products such as garden equipment, car parts or even fleece clothing!
• Paper, cardboard and cartons are turned into pulp and made into different paper products such as newspapers, books, magazines, animal bedding and jiffy bags.  It could even be made into road surfaces or loft insulation!
• Food and drink cans are recycled into a variety of new metal products including new cans or parts for cars, bicycles or planes.
• Electrical items collected from Northumberland Wharf Reuse and Recycling centres are broken down into metal, plastic and glass ready for recycling. Since items are made of a variety of material there is usually a small proportion, around 10%, of material that cannot be recycled. 
• Garden waste and food waste is turned into compost and soil improver using a special enclosed composter.

Before it is recycled into new products the mixed material in the pink bags and purple recycling bins is taken to a materials recovery facility. The materials recovery facility uses different types of machinery to sort the materials, so for example, steel cans are pulled out of the recycling by magnets.  Once sorted the materials are baled up ready to be transported to plants that will recycle them.

12. Why can’t I recycle all the materials that have the “recyclable” symbol on them?

There are now a huge range of different symbols used on products to promote environmental claims.  Some of the symbols that appear to indicate a product is recyclable may mean something else entirely! 

For example, the green dot shown here is a symbol used on packaging in many European countries and signifies that the producer has made a contribution towards the recycling of packaging.

In addition the materials accepted for recycling vary between different local authorities. This variation can be due to the way recycling is collected and the sites available for sorting recycling and turning it new products.

If you are unsure about whether an item can be recycled please contact us. For more information about different packaging marks and what they mean please visit Recyclenow.

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Composting and wormeries

1. How should I start off my compost bin?

To start off, we recommend adding plant stems and small twigs to the bottom of the bin. This will help keep your compost bin ventilated, and also give good access to worms and insects.

2. Should I put my compost in the sun or shade?

It is best in the shade because the compost is less likely to dry out. Dry compost does not decay.

3. How long will it take for me to make compost?

Usually it takes between 6 months to a year. It really does depend on the amount of time and effort you put into it though. The more time you put in, by regularly turning it, adding the right ingredients, the less time it takes to make. It can be from as little as 6 weeks.

4. There is a nasty smell coming from my compost bin, what is it?

This can be caused by too much water being added, or too many wet materials like grass clippings. To help prevent this, leave the lid off during dry weather, and remove some of the grass clippings. Also mix it up regularly.

5. My waste seems to be taking ages to turn into compost why is this?

It can take from 6 weeks to a year to make good compost. To speed things up, add more fast moving ingredients such as grass. There may not be enough heat and it maybe too dry. Position in the sunlight, and keep the lid on. Moisten and add fresh material and give it a good mix.

6. My compost has been attracting animals / insects, why is this and what can I do?

Rodents may be attracted to you bin if you have added meats and fats. Remove them immediately as this is what attracts the furry animals! If the problem persists then contact a pest control company. Bluebottle flies are also an indicator that meat is present.

Bees and wasps around the compost can indicate that your compost is too dry. Add a little bit of cold water and mix it in. This should help the problem.

Fruit flies are small flies. They arrive when parent fruit flies lay eggs on the compostable material when in the green grocers, whilst in your kitchen or when the matter is waiting to be put in the bin. To help prevent this from happening in the future, keep the compostable matter waiting to be put into the bin covered up so that parent flies cannot lay eggs upon it. Newspaper is fine. To get rid of the flies, always ensure that fresh matter added to the bin is placed under existing composting matter, or add a layer of soil or other brown material over the top. This will prevent the fruit fly larvae from hatching. Also leave open the compost bin lid to allow fruit fly predators to enter. It isn't advisable to use fly sprays.

7. What can I use my compost for?

Your compost makes a great soil conditioner or part of a potting mixture for outside containers. Alternatively it can be used for mulch. It isn't recommended to use indoors.

8. What is the way to start a wormery?

Do not overfeed the wormery. Once a week put your rubber gloves on and turn the compost and food over. This allows air to penetrate and keeps the worms happy

9. What happens to my wormery if I go on holiday?

Worm sitters will not be required when you go on holiday, as the worms will be happy munching away for a few weeks before they will need feeding again. If you are going away for a long time then add lots of damp shredded paper and cardboard, and mix it into wormery before you leave.

10. Where can I keep my wormery?

Worm composting can be carried out all year round, however worm activity ceases below 10 degrees centigrade. In the winter it will be beneficial to keep your wormery in a shed, utility room or garage. The worms can be kept outside all year but the container should be insulated. You can insulate the wormery easily by wrapping old carpet or bubble wrap around it. Using straw inside will also keep the worms snug.

Worms can be killed if the temperature goes above 40 degrees centigrade. Always site your wormery out of direct sunlight, away from strong winds, and in a place where children won't be able to knock it over. In the summer a north facing wall is ideal, as it's sunless.

11. Will the wormery smell?

A normal wormery should smell earthy. Bad smells arise when to much food (more than the worms can eat) is allowed to rot.

12. Will I need to buy more worms?

If the wormery is working well and you're following the instructions closely - then very little can go wrong. The worms inside will breed and eat, and they will renew themselves.

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