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Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Council collect the plastic dustbins it provided to households many years ago?

These bins were provided many years ago. Residents are welcome to keep and reuse them, for example for storage, as a water butt or as a home compost unit. Alternatively residents may take them to a household waste recycling centre for disposal. The dustbins can be collected as well with other unwanted bulky household items as part of a special collection.

Will you provide a cleaning service for the wheeled bins?

The Council will not be provide a cleaning service for wheeled bins. If householders wish to seek this service, there are companies are available through the local business listings.

I have a very long drive that refuse collection vehicles currently come down to collect my waste. Will this continue?

Your bins will be collected from the curtilage of your property. If necessary we may arrange an alternative collection point with you. If you are unsure of where to place your containers please contact us on tel: 0300 123 7026 and we can arrange for a Waste Inspector to contact you.

What will happen if I have extra non-recyclable household waste that will not fit in my brown bin?

We will only accept waste that is contained within the closed wheelie bin. No additional waste will be collected. Household Waste Recycling Centres are available throughout the borough to help you to dispose of any additional waste you may have.

However, if you have a large family and are recycling as many materials as possible,you may be eligible to apply for extra capacity. Contact the Council on 0300 123 7026 to arrange an application form.

Do I have a choice of bin size?

There is a standard set of bins provided for recycling, garden and non-recyclable waste.  If you are having difficulties please contact us on tel: 0300 123 7026 and we will assess your situation and discuss possible options.

What will happen if my bin is not emptied?

If your bin is missed, please tel: 0300 123 7026 to report it as soon as possible. To ensure your bin is emptied it must be out at the appropriate place by 7am on the correct collection day. If your bin was put out on time and at the appropriate place but was missed by our contractor, we will ask the contractor to return to empty it within 48 hours.

What will happen if my bin is damaged / stolen?

If any of your bins are damaged or stolen, please contact 0300 123 7026 and we will arrange for any damaged/ stolen bins to be replaced.

Will the bins be fitted with microchips?

We will not be putting microchips in the bins.

Will you provide black bags?

Where we provide residents with wheelie bins we will not provide black bags. We will continue to provide bags via the bag on a roll scheme for residents receiving the bag collection service.

Will we still be entitled to a free Special Collection of bulky waste?

For the immediate future, residents will still be entitled to a free special collection. This will, however, be reviewed on a regular basis

Will you accept additional recycling?

To make space for additional recycling in the blue bin you may remove the caddy and place it out for collection alongside the blue bin.

Excess glass should only be placed out in residents old white glass recycling bags.

Additional recycling will only be accepted by the side of the blue bins in a sturdy waterproof, semi-transparent container such as a carrier bag. The bag needs to be semi transparent so that the collection crews can verify that it contains only recycling.

  • Recycling placed in black bags will not be collected.

Please do not place recycling in cardboard boxes or open containers as these become too heavy to lift when wet. To maximise room for recycling in the blue wheelie bin, residents are encouraged to flatten cardboard boxes and squash tins and cans.

Can I place shredded paper in the blue bin?

Shredded paper can be recycled in the blue bin only if it is bagged separately. This is because shredded paper can jam the new mechanical separation equipment at the materials recycling facility. If it is bagged, operatives can remove it before it goes into the equipment. They can then empty the bags into the final paper collection bay. The plastic bags will also be recycled.

What type of plastic containers can I put in the blue bin?

Please place plastic bottles and lids only in the blue bin. These form a large part of the plastic waste stream and there are well established sustainable markets for them. We will continue to explore options for recycling more types of plastic.

Why do I need to place glass bottles and batteries in the caddy in the top of the bin?

This is to prevent glass from contaminating the rest of the recyclable materials. The materials recovery facility is not able to separate out glass from other materials without breaking the glass, causing damage to the machinery and contaminating the other recyclables.

Should I clean out tins, cans and bottles first?

Please ensure all plastic and glass bottles and all tins and cans are empty, clean and dry. Simply rinse out containers in the last of your washing up water and leave them to drain before putting in the bin. You do not need to remove the labels on cans or bottles.

Cleaning and drying cans and bottles will prevent the other recyclables in the blue bin from becoming contaminated. If your recycling is badly contaminated we will not be able to send it for recycling.

Why do I need to place textiles in plastic bags?

This allows the staff at the materials recovery facility to remove the textiles before they go through the automated part of the plant where they would be damaged and where they would also cause damage to the machinery.

Is it ok to put bagged non-recyclable waste in the brown bin?

Non- recyclable waste can be bagged before putting it in the brown bin. We will not however, collect any bags of non-recyclable waste which are not contained within the brown bin.

Recyclable waste should be put loose into the blue bin with the exception of textiles, shredded paper and batteries which should be bagged and then placed in the blue bin.

My bin has not been not emptied. What should I do?

Before reporting a missed collection please be aware of the following:

  • Your bins or bags may be collected any time between 7am and 9pm on your collection day.
  • The different coloured bins or bags are collected by two separate vehicles, at different times but on the same day.
  • You must have your bins or bags at the edge of your property or the agreed collection point to ensure they are collected. 
  • If your refuse/recycling was not collected on your collection day and you had put the bins or bags in the correct place then please ring 0300 123 7026 or complete the online enquiry form.

 

Why have the refuse collectors emptied one bin but not the other?

The two different coloured bins or bags are collected by two separate vehicles.  They may come at different times on your collection day.  The refuse and recycling crews may collect your bins or bags any time between 7a.m. and 9p.m.

 

I am missing some of my wheeled bins?

Please report which bin is missing and we will ensure that a replacement is delivered. Please allow two to three weeks for delivery.  The council will issue you with bin liners to use until the bins are delivered. These need to be placed at the edge of your property on collection day.

If you are missing wheeled bins and have not yet reported this to us then please telephone 0300 123 7026 or complete the online enquiry form.

 

I do not have an information pack. Where can I get one from?

If you need an information pack please telephone 0300 123 7026 or complete the online enquiry form.

Where to find us

Cheshire West & Chester Council,
County Hall,
Chester,
Cheshire CH1 1SF

Maps of Cheshire West and Chester

  • Tel: 0300 123 8 123
  • Textphone: 18001 01606 867 670
  • Email

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