We put stickers on your recycling and waste containers to let you know why we have not collected them. You could receive a sticker for:
- putting incorrect items in your waste containers or bin, or
- if your containers or bin are too heavy for our crews to safely move and empty.
What to do if you get a sticker
If you see a sticker on your waste containers or bin, you will need to take the incorrect items out before your next collection.
If you have a sticker on your garden waste but have not put any incorrect items in it, it may be too heavy. Please take some of the waste out.
We may send you a letter which will give you some extra help and advice on recycling.
Find out what you can put in your recycling and garden waste. If you continue to put incorrect items in your containers or bin, we will issue you with a formal notice.
If you have 3 stickers in a 12 week period, we will issue you with a formal notice. Find out what a Section 46 Notice is and why they are issued.
Communal bins
If you live in a property with communal bins, the crews will sticker the specific bags with incorrect items and make a note that there are incorrect items in a communal bin.
How to avoid a sticker
You can make sure you are putting the correct items in your recycling by:
- checking the recycling and waste information,
- checking the recycling A to Z, or
- asking for a recycling leaflet at your local Hub or library.
Common incorrect items
We hope the sticker scheme will help you identify incorrect items in your recycling and garden waste.
By getting rid of items correctly, you can help us achieve a 70% recycling rate.
Garden waste
Around 6% of the garden waste we collect has incorrect items. This costs £140,000 a year to clean up and make sure we can turn it into compost.
The most common incorrect items are:
- Asbestos - this is classed as a hazardous waste and should be disposed of responsibly. Find out how to dispose of asbestos.
- Garden items such as watering cans and hose pipes.
- Single use plastic, including green recycling bags.
- General waste.
- Rubble.
- Soil.
- Wood.
Please do not put dispose of these items with your garden waste.
Recycling
Around 20% of items put into recycling containers are incorrect.
The most common incorrect items are:
- Nappies. Find out about hygiene collections.
- Food. Find out about food waste collections.
- Textiles. Check the recycling A to Z to find out how to recycle textiles.
Please do not put these items in your recycling.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have:
- any specific circumstances you would like us to consider, or
- had a sticker but you believe this should not have been given.
