Why does Cheshire West and Chester Council charge for replacement bins/replacement parts?

The charge has been introduced to cover the administration and delivery of bins and is intended to encourage residents to take responsibility for the wheeled bins provided and to reduce demand for replacement containers. This enables us to create a sustainable service.

I have moved house and there is no bin at my address, do I have to pay for my containers?

If you are moving to a New Build house, the developer would have been invoiced for your containers and if payment has been received, your bins will be delivered once you have registered for Council Tax. If you are moving to another property that is not a new build and there are no containers, you will have to pay for them to be delivered.

How long will it take for my containers to be delivered/replacement parts?

Your bin will normally be delivered/repaired within ten working days from the date of request.

If my container is damaged, can it be repaired instead of replaced?

We can only repair wheeled bins. If you require a replacement lid or wheels and axels, you can pay for replacement parts instead of a replacement bin.

Why doesn’t my Council Tax cover the cost of containers?

Part of your Council Tax goes towards the cost of waste collection and disposal, not for the container from which it is collected.

Does the Council have the right to charge us for containers?

Under the Environmental Protection Act (Section 46) 1990, the Council has a right to levy a charge for the provision of all waste containers

What does the charge cover?

The charge is for the delivery of a replacement container or for replacement parts to your existing bin and administration costs, including procurement and storage. The bin remains the property of the Council and must remain at the house it is delivered to if you move home.

Does the charge apply to all replacement container requests whether the container has been lost, stolen or damaged?

23 litre and 7 litre food bins will remain free of charge
Garden bins will be replaced free of charge
This new charge does not apply to new or replacement garden waste containers as residents already pay for the supply of bins through their subscription charge.
The charge does not apply if the bin is damaged or falls into the waste collection vehicle during the emptying process. Crews will automatically order a free replacement through their in-cab system and leave a postcard informing a new bin has been ordered
Homes qualifying for additional residual waste capacity because they meet larger family criteria or have a medical condition that requires a larger or extra bin will be provided with additional containers free of charge on a temporary basis. However, replacements will be subject to charges if lost, damaged or stolen.

Please make sure your containers have your house number or name on them or we may not know who it belongs to.

I cannot take delivery of the container; how can I be sure it has been delivered?

If residents provide their email address or mobile number, they will receive a notification 48 hours prior to the scheduled delivery or repair. Residents must provide their email address or mobile phone number to opt in to this service where a message will be sent to the information provided on the request form 48 hours before the day of delivery/repair.

If residents do not provide an email address or mobile number, their container must be available at the kerbside so the damaged container can be removed and a replacement left or the container can be repaired. If the container cannot be accessed for repair or a removed for a replacement to be left, a new one will not be left.

A redelivery charge may be applied if our contractors have to visit more than once. Once a container has been delivered, we take no responsibility if it goes missing.

My container keeps going missing, what can I do?

We want to encourage residents to take care of their containers. Labelling containers with the house number so they are easy to identify will reduce the chance of them being stolen, lost or accidently taken by another resident. Use a permanent marker or number stickers to clearly identify the container as belonging to your property. You can decorate your container to help prevent people taking it by mistake. Residents can request stickers for containers free of charge by contacting the Council.

Storing containers securely within the grounds of the resident’s property will also protect them, also taking them in promptly after they have been emptied.

Do not place containers out for collection the night before, if possible, as this means more time for them to go missing. Containers should be outside for collection before 7am on the scheduled collection day. Neighbours may be able to help with finding containers if they have disappeared, look for them in the immediate area or ask neighbours if they have taken it by mistake. Often, they turn up after a day or two, or on the next collection day. It the container can still not be found; residents will need to pay for a replacement.

Is there any help provided to residents who are on benefits?

If you are in receipt of full council tax reduction when making a payment, you will be entitled to a £10 discount on all charges for replacement bins (£5 discount on charges for boxes if you have a box for your recycling) and £5 discount for replacement parts. You must provide your council tax reference number or upload a copy of your council tax bill as evidence.

How can I pay for a container?

Payment will be accepted by card only and is payable prior to delivery. Payment by card can be done so online.

What happens if I do not pay for the container, will bags of waste be collected?

Bags of waste will not be collected as all waste should be presented in a container unless you are on a specified sack collection round (offered to some flats and rural locations). However, if you do not wish to pay the administration and delivery charge for a replacement container, you can dispose of your waste at one of the household waste recycling centres free of charge.

Waste and recycling

Find a recycling centre

Your bin collection

Order new or replacement bin

Bulky items collection

Get help to take your bins out

Report a missed waste or recycling collection

Waste Management Strategy

Garden waste collection

View your collection calendar

Do you need a permit?

Related information