Questions about Using the Wheeled Bins

The kerbside recycling box is green.   The wheeled bin is grey, a colour in keeping with the local environment.

 

We provide 240 litre wheeled bins.  The approximate size is:  height – 1100 mm (43.5 inches), width – 580 mm (23 inches) and depth (front to back) – 720 mm (29 inches).  This is the equivalent of at least two to three bin bags.

 

There is also the option to have a smaller 120 litre wheeled bin for residents who are not throwing away much waste. The approx size is height - 920 mm (36 inches), width - 480mm (19 inches), and depth (front to back) - 550 mm (22 inches) 

 

The kerbside box is approximately - height - 328 mm (13 inches), width - 530 mm (21 inches) and depth 391 mm (15.5. inches).
 
3. What if my wheeled bin is damaged or stolen?

There will be no automatic replacement.  We will investigate what happened and a decision will be taken to determine whether the bin will be replaced free of charge.  We recommend you put your house number onto your bin in order to easily identify it (a label for this purpose will be supplied with each wheeled bin). If the wheeled bin is stolen you will need to report this to the police and obtain a crime number before the bin can be replaced.
 
4. Where do I put out the wheeled bin on collection day?

This will usually be just outside of the boundary of the property at the kerbside.  There are some circumstances where this will not be the case.  An officer from the Council will give advice if there is a problem with a location for the pick-up of the wheeled bin and recycling box.  A wheeled bin is easy to move even when full and once in place sits on its base not on its wheels so it will not run away even on a slope.

 

Your bin should be available for collection by 7.00 am on the correct day (except for bank holidays and Saturdays when it should be out by 6am).  The earliest your bin should be put out is the night before your collection day.  You should return your emptied bin to its normal storage point as soon as is practical after emptying.

 

Because the time of your collection may vary and this will be the start time of collections in some areas.  Though a normal collection time will become established, sometimes the crew have to vary their route due to such things as road works, parked cars or a breakdown of the vehicle.
 
The wheeled bins and kerbside boxes need to be put out earlier on bank holidays (by 6am) because the landfill sites and recycling centres close earlier than on normal working days.

 

Sorry, but no.  Dedicated collections using different vehicles are made to ensure recyclable materials are kept separate from your rubbish.  Only the correct bin will be emptied on its scheduled week.

 

You should not normally put garden waste in the wheeled bin. However small amounts of garden waste up to a maximum of one cubic foot will be acceptable, this is to cover things like cut flowers etc.

 

We would prefer that you compost your garden waste (we do have special offers on composters) or take it for composting to your nearest Household Recycling Centre either at Panorama Road, Swanage or Westminster Road, Wareham.  Garden waste placed in the wheeled bin will be landfilled and add to environmental problems as well as reducing the overall recycling rate.  If you do put garden waste in your wheeled bin you will have less space for your rubbish.  We will not be taking side waste (rubbish left in bags by your bin).  Nor will bins be emptied where the lid cannot be closed.

 

You can either take your rubbish to a Household Recycling Centre (the local ´tip´) or wait for your next collection day.  These centres are at Panorama Road, Swanage and Westminster Road, Wareham.

 

The Council already offers a service to help the elderly and the disabled.  We understand that some elderly or disabled will not be able to manage to move a wheeled bin to the collection point.  If necessary we will offer assistance in moving the bin from an agreed point on their premises to the vehicle and it will be returned when empty.  We will consider each case on its merits and a waste management officer will make a decision as to how people can be best assisted.  If you live with an able bodied person you will not be considered an exception.

 

Please flush/sluice all solids down the toilet and securely wrap nappies in plastic bags (why not make use of the plastic wrapping from your junk mail or supermarket bags). 

 

You may be interested in modern environmentally friendly alternatives,  real nappies which fasten with velcro or poppers.  This system can also be used in conjunction with a laundry service.  Please call 01929 557281 for more details, or to receive a leaflet.

 

120 litre wheeled bins are available upon request.  (Please contact the helpline on 01929 557279).  You should ensure that this size bin is suitable for your family needs as no side waste will be taken.

 

We know that some properties are not suitable for this scheme.  The experience of other authorities shows that many people in these circumstances find ways of accommodating a wheeled bin as they realise the benefits outweigh some minor inconvenience.  Where appropriate we will provide larger communal bins or an appropriate service tailored to individual situations.

 

Please call our helpline if you believe this applies to you (01929 557279)

 

The 240 litre wheeled bin should be sufficient for most families provided care is taken to maximise your recycling.

Families of 6 or more can be considered for an extra wheeled bin.  Please contact the Helpline on 01929 557279 for an application form.

 

We will only empty bins that have the lid closed; a part open lid can obstruct the vehicle’s lifting equipment.  Only wheeled bins will be emptied and any other rubbish will be left behind.  This may seem a bit harsh but it is vital if we are to maximise recycling, reduce the amount of rubbish we dispose of at the landfill site, and retain the benefits to the environment by reducing waste.  Our research tells us that the vast majority of homes will be able to get all their rubbish in the wheeled bin we provide, but larger households will be considered for an extra bin if requested, Please contact the Helpline on 01929 557279 for an application form.

 

The wheeled bin manufacturers recommend, for health and safety reasons, that not more than 50kgs of waste is put into the bin.  The lifting mechanisms on the vehicles are consequently set not to lift bins that are heavier than this.  Normal domestic refuse will not weigh this much.  Soil, concrete and large metal items etc should not be put into the wheeled bins.  Heavy items of domestic waste can be taken to the nearest Household Recycling Centres at Panorama Road, Swanage and Westminster Road, Wareham.

 

Firstly, please ensure that there are no recyclable materials in the bin.   If you have a large amount of waste make sure that you get the decomposable (for example food or disposable nappies) waste into your bin and keep the remainder until your next collection or take it to the nearest Household Recycling Centre at Panorama Road, Swanage or Westminster Road, Wareham.  You can also telephone the Helpline on 01929 557279 to discuss your current situation.

 

If you feel you require additional capacity let us know.  We will send you a Waste Minimisation leaflet.  If you still feel that you are unable to manage contact the Helpline on 01929 557279 to discuss your current situation.

 

No, this is not a health hazard.  By handling your waste responsibly and wrapping food waste, you will prevent smells and soiling.  If you so wish you can place newspaper in the bottom of the wheeled bin before use and after it has been emptied.  This will help soak up any moisture and will fall out when the bin is next emptied.

 

There should be no environmental health problems arising from rubbish left for two weeks, providing basic precautions are taken.  Only a small proportion of your waste will start to rot during this period, and when contained in a wheeled bin with the lid closed there will be no problem of flies or smells.  It is always a good idea to over-wrap in a carrier bag any rubbish that is likely to rot and thereby avoid dirtying the bin unnecessarily.
 
Smells can be minimised by:

 

 

You may wish to occasionally use disinfectant or a bin deodoriser product.  Alternatively you can use one of the local wheeled bin washing companies.  By taking the basic steps outlined above your bin can be kept clean with only very occasional attention.  To clean the inside of your wheeled bin just lie it down and swill out with water.

If possible store your bin out of direct sunlight and away from open kitchen windows.

 

 

The best use for your kitchen waste is in a home composter which can take most of your kitchen scraps including vegetable peelings, tea bags, egg shells and coffee grounds.  Other food waste should be well wrapped and placed in your wheeled bin. 

 

Home Composting Bins - new compost bin offers to follow in the New Year

 

One of the major reasons for initially introducing wheeled bins was to stop animals ripping bags of waste apart whilst they are being stored or put out on the streets on collection days.  A wheeled bin with a closed lid is secure from animal attack and makes a dramatic reduction in litter
 - animals are far less likely to invade your bin with the Recycle for Purbeck scheme than they did under the black bag scheme.

 

 

Home composters

 

Recycling Helpline 01929 557 279