These are some of the most commonly-asked questions about our waste and recycling service. If you cannot find an answer to your question, or you need more information, please contact us.
Can I get a second green bin?
We are not able to give out second green bins, however garden waste sacks are available to put out excess garden waste alongside your green bin.
Can I leave my bin/box out permanently?
No. The containers can be kept anywhere on your property, but must not be left on the public highway.
Can I put my address on my bin/box?
You are more than welcome to identify your containers with your house name or number.
Can I put out extra sacks with the black bin?
No. We will not collect any side waste. If you have extra rubbish you can take it to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Can I put out more recycling than the brown bin/black box can hold?
No. All cans, plastic and glass must be placed in your brown bin (or black box). Excess will not be taken away. If you have extra recycling you can take it to a local recycling site or a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Can I take my containers with me when I move house?
No. The containers belong to us and we will need the bins/boxes to be able to offer the service to the people who move into the property after you.
Do I need to clean out recyclables before putting them in the containers?
Yes please. Plastic food containers or cans that have been in contact with food should be cleaned before being put in the brown bin. A quick rinse in the last of your washing up water is fine. You don't need to remove any labels.
Do you collect shredded paper?
Yes, shredded paper can either go in your blue box or green bin. Please note: if you are putting it in your green bin it must go in loose, not in a plastic bag, however if you are putting it in your blue box please ensure shredded paper is in a carrier bag or wrapped up in a newspaper to prevent it flying about.
Do you have any incentives schemes for us to use real nappies?
Yes. We offer cash back to anyone buying Real nappies or using a real nappy laundering scheme.
How can I keep my bin clean?
Your wheeled bins are sealed with a lid to minimise smells and you can wrap your food waste for the green bin in newspaper or our compostable kitchen caddy liners; these will help to keep your bin clean and eliminate odours. Please remember that your food waste can still be collected on a weekly basis simply by using your black bin and green bin on alternate weeks. You could also put your general rubbish in plastic bags before putting it in your black bin. If you clean out any items that have been in contact with food before you place them in your bin/box, it will minimise any smells.
I do not produce any garden waste over autumn or winter. Will this part of the service stop?
No, all our collections run throughout the year.
If I have more black bin waste than green bin recycling, can I put this container out instead?
No. Our lorries only pick up waste allocated for collection that week. If you put out a bin/box due to be collected the following week, we will not be able to take it away early. In addition, if you place the items in the wrong containers, you will contaminate your recycling, which will result in us not collecting your bin/box.
I have syringes and dressings, do you provide a clinical waste collection?
Yes. Please see Clinical waste collection.
I run a business. Will you collect my commercial / trade waste?
Please see Commercial waste and recycling.
I struggle to put out my bins, what can I do?
Please see Assisted collections
My bin/box has been stolen/lost. How can I get a replacement?
Unfortunately you will have to pay £35 for a replacement. To report a bin/box lost or stolen please contact us. Additional bins that were bought from us before May 2006 will not be replaced if damaged, lost or stolen providing there is still one functional bin at the property.
My bin/box is damaged. How can I get a replacement?
Bins damaged by us during collections will be replaced free of charge. To report a damaged bin please contact us. Additional bins that have been bought from us prior to May 2006 will not be replaced if damaged, lost or stolen providing there is still one functional bin at the property.
What happens to collections when there is a bank holiday?
All collections in the week following a public holiday take place a day later. For example, a Monday collection takes place on a Tuesday, a Friday collection on a Saturday. Exceptions to this are Christmas, New Year and Easter. You will be advised about these nearer the time.
What happens to everything that is collected?
Please read What happens to my recycling?
What happens if it snows / floods / there is a heatwave etc?
In the event of adverse weather conditions i.e. extreme heat or snow, we will do all we can to complete our scheduled work. We will advise customers of any changes through our website, Twitter @HertsmereBC, the media, and our offices/telephone lines.
What do I do if my bin/box hasn't been emptied?
Please see Missed collections
What if I don’t have enough recycling to fill the containers on the day they are collected?
We would still encourage you to put your containers out for collection. It doesn’t matter if your recycling bin/box has a couple of items in it or is full each week – it’s about recycling as much as you can.
What should I do if I haven’t got a bin or box?
If you do not have one or more of our containers please contact us.
Where do I put my bin/box on collection day?
Simply leave your bin/box at your property boundary or agreed collection point, making sure not to obstruct the public highway.