Back to bin basics: Let’s get it right at the kerbside

The Isle of Wight Council is helping residents to get back to bin basics with recycling and waste habits.

As part of the #BackToBinBasics campaign, we’re asking everyone to take a few minutes to check how they present their waste each week.

Natasha Dix, service director for waste, environment and planning, said: “I’d like to thank residents for their support with recycling and our dedicated crew, who are out in weathers.

“Whether you’re new to the area, or just need a refresher, by going back to basics and following the waste guidelines on our website and in your collection booklet, we can all help keep our streets cleaner and reduce contamination in recycling. This campaign is about working together. By getting the basics right, we can make a big difference.”

Timing is everything

• Put out your food waste, recycling, or general waste on the kerbside by 7am on collection day. Check online at www.iow.gov.uk/waste or your annual waste and recycling booklet for which collection week you are on.
• You can place it outside after 7pm the night before. Waste put out after 7am will not be collected.
• Crews can work until 10pm on the day of collection. If your waste hasn’t been collected by 10pm, you can report it online at www.iow.gov.uk/waste 
• If you report a missed bin, the collection lorry CCTV will check if your waste was out on time. If it was genuinely missed, the crew will return.

Keep bins safe and tidy

• On collection day, place your bin or sack at the kerbside in front of your home (or at agreed collection point if you are an Assisted or Collection Plus resident) using the containers provided.
• After collection, take your bins or sacks back inside by 7pm the next day.
• Leaving bins and sacks on the pavement between collection days is a hazard to people using the pavement and is considered fly-tipping.
• Add your house number or name to bins to help crews return them correctly and stop neighbours accidently taking yours.

What goes where and how

Recycling and waste are collected on alternate weeks. Food waste is collected weekly. Please do not store any valuables in your bin or sack to avoid it being emptied accidently.

Need a food waste caddy? You can get one for FREE by visiting www.iow.gov.uk/waste 

We will take extra recycling on recycling weeks if:

• it's in clear or white bags;
• the bags contain recyclables only.

On recycling day:

• Green bin/gull sack: Glass, plastic, and metal. Mixed recycling can go loose in your green bin.
• If you have a green gull sack, place your recycling in a clear/white bag inside your gull sack.
• Black insert or blue gull sack: Paper, card, and cardboard.
• Textiles: Put clean unwanted textiles in a separate bag (not black) and place it next to your bin/gull proof sack.

On general waste day:

• Black bin/gull sack: Waste that can't be recycled.
• Household batteries: Put in a small clear bag and place on top of your closed black bin/sack, never inside, as they may catch fire. They have a separate section on the bin lorry where they are deposited safely.

Make sure all bin lids/sacks are closed and avoid overfilling to prevent spillage.

Contamination and extra waste

• If your bin/sack wasn’t collected because of the wrong items inside, you’ll get a sticker or tag explaining why. You will need to take your bin or sack back onto your property and take out the contaminated items before the next collection.
• Extra waste on general waste day won’t be taken. Keep it until the next general waste collection day or book a slot at the Household Recycling Centres.

Need help?

You can:

• order the right waste receptacles to be able to present your waste or recycling in;
• order new or different receptacles such as a food waste caddy to place your food waste in;
• get assistance with your waste management;
• find out your collection day

by visiting www.iow.gov.uk/waste and complete the above tasks online or call 01983 823777.