Waste Collection Guidance

Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, the council has the power to decide how household waste should be presented for collection. Council Tax covers regular household waste collections, but there are limits. Extra bagged waste left next to your bin (“side waste”) will not be collected.

The council can also charge for things like bulky items, garden waste, or hazardous materials. This helps keep collections safe and environmentally friendly.

We’ve recently updated our Household Waste Collection Guidance Principle document which includes information on:

• Wheelie bin including provision, accepted items and presenting bins for collection
• Collections such as frequency, times, access and the Assisted Pull Out (APO) service
• How to manage additional/excess household waste

Our Household Waste Collection Operational Procedure document also outlines what the council will do in certain situations including:

• Missed collections due to operational delays or during inclement/severe weather
• Genuine missed collections including how to report online and expectations
• Shared waste management facilities
• Charges and subscriptions

Most residents don’t present side waste because their wheelie bins have enough capacity, which they use fully. Households should focus on reducing waste and managing it responsibly by recycling properly and ensuring the right items are placed in each bin. You can also:

• Use your recycling bin (brown, grey lid) to its full capacity. Check what can be recycled with the Nottingham Recycles tool.
  
  • Nottingham Recycles tool
• Flatten cardboard, empty & crush cans and bottles to remove air and save space.  
• Take extra waste to the Household Waste & Recycling Centre at Redfield Road, Nottingham, NG7 2UJ.
• If you have many people in your household or special circumstances that create more waste, you can apply for an extra bin. The council will assess your need. 
• For medical waste, you can request a special clinical waste bin via your District Nurse.

Any presented side waste at the side of household wheelie bins will not be collected. If your bin is over full or the lid is not fully shut, your bin will not be emptied. Households who present their waste in this manner will be recorded by bin operatives and in some instances enforcement action may be taken.

No. In order for our bin operatives to empty bins in a safe manner, lids need to be shut fully. Bin lids that are open have the potential to be blown open and have waste littering the street.

An increase in fly-tipping is not usually associated with the non-collection of side waste. Most councils across the country have adopted this approach and have not found an increase in fly-tipping. Nottingham City residents care about where they live and most understand how to manage their waste responsibly