Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQs about your waste and recycling collections.

General waste and recycling FAQs

Below you will find the most common questions raised about our collections scheme. Please take time to read through them and if you’re still concerned or need any more information contact us.

• What happens to everything that is collected?
• How do the collections work and what do I put in each bin/box?
• What should I do if I haven’t got a bin or box?
• What day is my collection?
• What time do I need to put my bin/box out for collection?
• Where do I put my bin/box on collection day?
• Can I put my address on my bin/box?
• How can I keep my bin clean? I am worried my bins will smell or start to attract vermin.
• Do I need to clean out recyclables before putting them in the containers?
• What if I don’t have enough recycling to fill the containers on the day they are collected?
• If I have more black bin waste than green bin recycling, can I put this container out instead?
• Can I put out more refuse than the black bin?
• Can we get a larger refuse bin?
• What should I do if all my paper doesn’t fit in the blue box?
• Will you collect shredded paper?
• Can I put out more recycling than the brown bin/black box can hold?
• Can I get a second green bin?
• How can I get hold of a home composting bin?
• I do not produce any garden waste over autumn or winter. Will this part of the service stop?
• Can I leave my bin/box out permanently?
• What do I do if my box/bin hasn't been emptied?
• Can I take my containers with me when I move house?
• I struggle to put out my bins, what can I do?
• Do you have any incentives schemes for us to use real nappies?
• What happens to collections when there is a bank holiday?
• What happens if it snows / floods / there is a heatwave etc?
• My bin/box has been stolen/lost. How can I get a replacement?
• My bin/box is damaged. How can I get a replacement?
• I run a business. Will you collect my commercial / trade waste?
• You missed my trade collection. What should I do?

Q: What happens to everything that is collected?

Paper from your blue box is delivered to Pearce Recycling in St Albans where it is baled and sent to Aylesford Newsprint to be turned into new newspapers, such as The Guardian and The Times.

Garden waste, food and cardboard from your green bin is sent to Agrivert composting facility in South Mimms to be turned into soil conditioner for use on local farmland in Hertfordshire.

Glass, cartons, cans and plastic from your brown bin is sent to Pearce recycling in St Albans. Glass is used in the UK for road surfacing. Cartons are sent to Germany to be recycled: the plastic and foil is recovered for new products and the cardboard is pulped and used for the corrugated parts of new cardboard. Cans are recycled in the UK back into cans or other metal items. Plastic is used to make new bottles/food containers plus completely new products such as fleeces or garden furniture.

Q: How do the collections work and what do I put in each bin/box?

Please visit collections.

Q: 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.

Q: What day is my collection?

Please contact us to find out.

Q: What time do I need to put my bin/box out for collection?

Unless you live in flats or have a special arrangement with us, all bins/boxes need to be placed on your boundary by 6:30am on the day of your collection.

Q: 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.

Q: Can I put my address on my bin/box?

You are more than welcome to identify your containers with your house name or number.

Q: How can I keep my bin clean? I am worried my bins will smell or start to attract vermin.

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 the black and green bins on alternate weeks.

You could also put your general rubbish in plastic bags before putting it in the 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.

Q: Do I need to clean out recyclables before putting them in the containers?

Plastic food containers or cans that have been in contact with food should be cleaned before being put in the brown bin. A quick soak in the last of your washing up water or as part of your dishwasher load is fine.

Q: 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.

Q: If I have more black bin waste than green bin recycling, can I put this container out instead?

No. Our lorries can only pick up waste allocated for collection on that day. 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.

Q: Can I put out more refuse than the black bin?

No. It will not be taken away.

Q: Can we get a larger refuse bin?

Households of five or more occupants can apply for a larger 360 litre wheeled refuse bin. This involves completing an application form and waste audit. The larger bin would replace any existing black bin and not be an additional one. Contact us for an application form. 

Q: Do you collect shredded paper?

Yes, shredded paper can either go in your blue box or green bin. Please note: if putting it in your green bin it must go in loose, not in a plastic bag, however if 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. .

Q: Can I put out more recycling than the brown bin/black box can hold?

No. All cans, plastic and glass must be placed in the brown bins or black box. Excess will not be taken away.

Q: How can I get hold of a home composting bin?

Home compost bins are available at a subsidised price through the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership.  Visit www.hertsmere.gov.uk/composting or contact us on 020 8207 7480 for more details.

Q: What should I do if all my paper doesn’t fit in the blue box?

We want you to recycle as much of your waste as you can. If you find you cannot fit all your paper into your blue box, you can put any extra into carrier bags and put it out alongside your box on the scheduled collection day.  

Q: 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.

Q: How can I get hold of a home composting bin?

Home compost bins are available at a subsidised price through the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership.  See composting for more information.

Q: 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.

Q: 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.

Q: What do I do if my box/bin hasn't been emptied?

Please see missed bins and boxes.

Q: Can I take my containers with me when I move house?

No. The containers belong to Hertsmere Borough Council and we’ll need the bins/boxes to be able to offer the service to the next occupants.

Q: I struggle to put out my bins, what can I do?

Please see Assisted Collections.

Q: 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. Please see Real Nappies for more information.

Q: 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 at Christmas, New Year and Easter. Details about these will be put on bin hangers to each household nearer the time.

Q: 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 endeavour to advise customers of any changes through our website, Twitter, the media, and our offices / telephone lines.

Q: My bin/box has been stolen/lost. How can I get a replacement?

Unfortunately you will have to pay for a replacement. To report a bin/box lost or stolen and to obtain charges please contact us. 

Q: My bin/box is damaged. How can I get a replacement?

Bins damaged during collections will be replaced free of charge. To report a damaged bin please contact us.

Additional bins that have been purchased from Hertsmere Borough Council prior to May 2006 will not be replaced if damaged, lost or stolen providing there is still one functional bin at the property.

Q: I run a business. Will you collect my commercial / trade waste?

Yes. Contact us as special trade containers are provided.
Containers need to be available from 6.30am on the day of collection and access to them must not be restricted – ie behind locked gates or parked cars. There is a also a commercial recycling service for cardboard and paper available to our trade customers.

Q: You missed my trade collection. What should I do?

Contact us after 4pm on the day of collection and within the following 48 hours.  We will aim to return within 48 hours of receiving a report. There will be no refund for missed collections.