Questions and answers about the new bins
Why have you introduced a new
service?
The amount of waste we are collecting is increasing and much of
this is recyclable. Both residents and the Government have told us
that they want to recycle more and we believe this is the simplest
and most economical way of doing so. If we do not reach our
targets, we will incur Government penalties, which will have to be
funded from Council Tax. It has been estimated that if the amount
of waste going to landfill is not significantly reduced, the
increase in Council Tax to Suffolk Coastal residents could be
around £9 million per year. This service will mean less waste going
to landfill and will protect the environment for ourselves and for
future generations.
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How does the new service work?
Every household getting the new service will receive a blue
lidded wheeled bin and a grey lidded wheeled bin. The grey lidded
bin is for household waste which cannot be recycled as part of our
scheme and will be emptied one week. The blue lidded bin is
for recyclable materials and will be emptied the following week,
along with the brown bin for garden and food waste. Your green
crate for waste paper will no longer be emptied, but you may find
it useful to collect glass bottles or other recyclable materials,
for taking to a
local recycling site.
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I have just had my blue and grey lidded bins
delivered and the lids won't shut properly - are the bins
faulty?
This is perfectly normal and is a result of the bins being
stacked during transportation; as the plastic is pliable the
stacking forces the lids to bend back slightly. However the bin
will revert to its correct shape within a few days and the lid will
then be able to close properly.
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When do I put out the bins?
Please refer to your refuse and recycling calendar - if you are
about to get the new service this will be included
in your information pack. If you already receive
the service you will get a new calendar at the begining
of the year. You can also
look up your collection day and the dates of your
next collections online
The blue lidded bin and brown bin will be emptied on your usual
collection day one week, and the grey lidded bin will be emptied on
the same day the following week. The bins should be out ready for
emptying at 7.30am as collections start early. If bins are not out
for collection at this time, the refuse crews will not be
able to return to empty them. Please note that the time of
collection may change at any time, so to avoid missing the
collection, always put your bin out by 7.30am.
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Where do I put the bins for collection?
On collection day, the correct bin(s) should be presented for
collection where your access meets the highway, unless you have
specifically been told otherwise. Suffolk Coastal
Services can visit you to discuss the best place to present
the bins, or in exceptional cases, make an alternative
arrangement. Please call 01394 444050 for
further advice. Back to top.
I don’t have room for the bins or I have no front
garden.
A bin takes up the same floor space as an
ordinary dustbin. The bins must be presented for collection where
your access meets the highway. Please keep the bins at the rear of
your property wherever possible. If you cannot find a suitable
location for the bins, please call Suffolk Coastal
Services on 01394 444050 for further advice.
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I can’t manage to wheel the full bin.
If
you cannot wheel the bin, Suffolk Coastal Services can
arrange for it to be collected from a location other than at your
boundary. Please call 01394 444050 and ask for
details of the exemption scheme. Back to top.
I wasn't given a bin or my bin has been stolen or
damaged.
Suffolk Coastal Services can arrange
for a replacement bin to be delivered or collected. Please call
01394 444050 for further advice.
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Can I write my house name or number on the wheeled bins
so that I can make sure I get the same bins back every
time?
There is a sticker underneath the handle of the
grey lidded and blue lidded wheeled bins for you to write your
house name or number to identify the bin discretely. Please use the
sticker rather than painting anything on the bin.
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The blue lidded bin is too small - can I have another
one or a bigger one?
We generally only provide one
blue lidded bin per property. You will be able to fit in more
recyclable materials if you flatten them before placing them in the
bin. Excess materials can be taken to a
local recycling site or your
nearest household waste recycling centre (new
window). Additional bins are available for an annual fee,
please contact Suffolk Coastal Services on
01394 444050 for details.
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The blue lidded bin is too large - can I have a smaller
one?
A limited number of smaller blue lidded bins are available. If you
feel you cannot accommodate the larger one, please
call Suffolk Coastal Services on 01394
444050 and they will arrange for you to have a
smaller one. Back to top.
The grey lidded bin is too small - can I have another
one or a bigger one?
You will be able to fit more into your bin if you squash the waste
before placing it in your bin. Are you recycling as much as
possible? Can you buy goods with less packaging? Additional bins
are available for an annual fee, please contact Suffolk
Coastal Services on 01394 444050 for details
or if you would like a visit from a waste management officer to
discuss your waste. Back to top.
The grey lidded bin is too large - can I have a smaller
one?
Suffolk Coastal Services have a limited number of smaller
bins and can arrange for you to have one. Alternatively, could you
consider sharing with a neighbour. Back to top.
I’m disabled and the bins block the pavement on
collection day.
The bins should be put out for
collection at the edge of, but still on, the property. If this is
happening regularly in a particular location, we can ask the
residents to put the bins out in the correct place.
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I live in a flat.
If you have a rubbish compound at your flats, you can keep your
bins in it. However, you will need to put them out on collection
day. Shared bins will be provided at some flats.
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My garden or driveway is on a slope - the bins will tip
when I put them out for collection or they have to be pushed down
steps.
If you cannot find a suitable site for the
bins on collection day, please contact Suffolk Coastal
Services on 01394 444050 for advice.
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If the bins left out all the time they'll make the
street or village or area look unsightly.
It is acknowledged that the bins will be visible on collection day.
However, we encourage residents to take in the bins as soon as
possible after collection. We do not expect the bins to be left at
the boundary all the time and are willing to contact people who
regularly do this. Back to top.
Bins get blown into road when empty.
The refuse crews will make every effort to leave the bin in an
appropriate spot, or even lay the bin down if necessary.
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My bin hasn’t been emptied.
Was the bin
out by 7.30? Does it contain the correct materials? Was it placed
in a suitable spot for collection? If the crew genuinely
missed the bin, Suffolk Coastal Services can arrange for it to
be emptied, please call them on 01394 444000. If
the bin contains the wrong material, it will need to be sorted
before it will be emptied on the next scheduled round.
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I refuse to have a bin.
Household waste will only be collected from bins. If you do not
have a bin, we will not be able to collect your waste. Recyclable
waste will only be collected from blue lidded bins. If you do not
want a blue lidded bin, you can take your recyclable material to
local recycling site, or nearest
household waste recycling centre. You may
not, however, put it in your grey lidded bin, even if you have
sufficient room, as it will not be emptied.
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Where can I get help and advice?
If you
still have any questions please call the wheeled bin helpline
number on 01394 444050. If you have any general
waste enquiries email
scsltd@suffolkcoastal.gov.uk or
call 01394 444000.
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