Bin Collection Changes
In August, a new bin collection service will start. This service will enable you to recycle more. As part of this new service, you will be provided with some additional bins, some of your existing bins will change use and we will also be introducing a weekly food waste collection.
Your household will be provided with:
- a 23l brown outside food waste caddy and 5l kitchen food waste caddy, ready for the new food waste collection service
- a new 180l purple-lidded bin for non-recyclable waste
Changes to your current bins include:
- your black-lidded general waste bin will become your mixed recycling bin
- your blue-lidded bin will be used for cardboard and paper
- you will be able to include loose plastic bags and wrapping into your black-lidded mixed recycling bin
- your non-recyclable waste, mixed recycling and cardboard and paper bins will move to a three-week collection cycle
Your bin collection days may change, and we will confirm if this is the case nearer the time. Stickers will also be provided to label your bins to make this transition easier.
The new bins will be delivered from May, ready for use from 4 August.
People in flats and households with communal waste will receive a 140-litre outside food waste caddy, and individual kitchen caddies, which should not be used until 4 August
The new bin collection service
The details of the revised bin collection service starting 4 August are set out below:
| Type of bin | Frequency | What goes in |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed recycling (240 litre black-lidded bin) | Every three weeks |
|
| Cardboard and paper (240 litre blue-lidded bin) | Every three weeks |
We will not be collecting the old paper boxes: you can reuse them for storage, or recycle them at your local Recycling Centre |
| Non-recyclable waste (180 litre purple-lidded bin) | Every three weeks | Any waste that cannot be recycled. This will no longer include plastic bags and wrappings, which can be recycled. |
| Food waste (23 litre brown caddy) | Weekly | Food waste |
| Garden waste (subscription service 240 litre brown-lidded bin) | Fortnightly | Garden waste. Collections remains fortnightly, except for the first two weeks after Christmas. |
Most flats and households with communal waste bins will remain on their current collection schedule (we will update residents where/if their schedules will change).
Why are we changing the service?
The service changes will:
- make it easier for residents to recycle
- help us achieve government targets for us to recycle 60% of our household waste
- help us meet new government requirements to collect and recycle food waste and cardboard & paper separately
- deliver a more efficient and sustainable service
Households with additional needs
For anyone currently being supported with extra capacity, we will be writing to you separately. If you believe you may qualify for extra capacity and do not currently receive it, visit our ‘Request a bigger bin’ page.
The following households are eligible to apply for extra bin capacity:
- larger household with 6+ permanent residents
- homes with two or more children under 36 months
- adults using incontinence items/with medical needs
How the bin collection changes will be communicated
We will send more information directly to residents, including collection details, later this year.
You will receive a leaflet with your Council Tax bill, notifying you that the changes are coming, and to expect the new bin deliveries from May.
In addition:
- as we near August, a leaflet will be circulated with more information relevant to your household
- we will share information and updates on our East Herts Council Facebook page and other social media channels
Other awareness raising activities will be undertaken as we progress towards the new service delivery start date.
More information
Visit our FAQ page for more details
