New recycling bin FAQs

Why is Newham Council introducing recycling bins?

We want residents to recycle more of their waste and the new bins can hold more recycling material than two orange bags. In surveys residents have told us that they wanted to see recycling and household waste collected separately. Recycling is better for the environment and reduces the need for landfill, disposing of Newham's waste costs the taxpayer more than £12m a year.

Will my rubbish and recycling continue to be collected at the same time?

No. From Monday 24 January 2011 - even if you have not received your new recycling bin - your rubbish will be collected in the morning and your recycling will be collected in the afternoon of the same day.

Why are we not continuing to use the orange bags?

We want residents to recycle more, providing a new recycling bin will allow them to do this. By having separate collections we can show that we are not mixing domestic waste and recyclable waste. In the long term using wheeled bins will be cheaper as the cost of buying bags keeps going up. The recycling bins are fitted with sensors to help us see where there are high and low levels of recycling. Where residents are not recycling as much as they could be - possibly because they are unclear what they can or can't recycle - we'll be able to provide face to face support and guidance. Residents in flats and low-rise properties will continue using orange bags as they do now. This is simply because there is no space on the property for a new bin.

When will I receive my new bin?

From 24 January to mid March 2011 residents living in houses with space will receive a wheeled bin with an orange lid for recyclable waste. Residents should continue using orange recycling bags until they receive their new recycling bin. Residents should continue to use their rubbish bin for waste that cannot be recycled.

Who will receive a new recycling bin?

Properties with space will receive a recycling bin. Residents who do not have space for the new bin or who live in flats will continue using orange recycling bags. Last year the council conducted an audit of all properties in the borough to see who had space for a bin and who did not.

Will there be disruption to the service residents receive?

No. The majority of residents will have the same collection day so there will be no disruption.

Will the bins be collected together/are we going to move to fortnightly collections?

No. There will be a separate collection in the morning for waste and another collection in the afternoon/evening for recycling on the same day. This will mean we can maintain weekly collections for rubbish and recycling and at the same time maximise the use of existing resources such as refuse vehicles, which currently lie unused for half of the day.

What can residents recycle in the new bins?

For the first time residents can recycle all types of cardboard, all types of paper, clean plastics such as drinks bottles and cleaning fluid containers, tin cans - both steel and aluminium and drinks cans. Please carefully rinse and squash cans and plastic bottles before placing in the recycling bin. Please flatten cardboard boxes so you can get more recycling material in your bin. Do not put waste that cannot be recycled in the recycling bins. Recyclable material should be placed directly in the recycling bin and not placed in bags first. Please place both bins as close to the edge of your property as possible. In the future new items will be added to the list of material which can be recycled. If this happens residents will be notified in advance. Residents should also use the council FREE waste services. Click on 'more details' to find out more.

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What if residents can't get all of their recyclable waste into their new bin?

Cardboard can be left beside the bin as long as it is neatly tied up. Any remaining recyclable material should be kept and put into the recycling bin after it has been emptied, ready for the next collection. Residents shouldn't leave any rubbish or recycling at the side of either bin.

What about residents living in flats?

Residents in flats and low-rise properties will continue using orange bags as they do now. However, we are introducing improved recycling facilities to high and low-rise properties from April when special recycling bins will be installed in communal areas. We'll be keeping residents updated on these changes.

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Is this costing the council more money?

No. We will not be buying as many orange bags in the future. We will also save money by using the same vehicle to collect rubbish and recyclable waste. Further savings will be made by reducing the amount of waste we currently send to landfill, which costs the taxpayer more than £12m a year and increases by £1m every year.

What should I do with my leftover orange bags?

Please place any leftover orange bags on top of your recycling bin and we will pick them up on your next collection day.