Recycling for flats and communally occupied properties

We collect recycling from communal facilities (bin stores) for residents living in flats and communally occupied properties. We do not collect recycling boxes.

There are communal bins for:

  • paper and cardboard
  • glass bottles and jars
  • cans, tins, aerosols and plastics (not including soft plastics)
  • food waste

You need to make sure you are putting your waste in the correct communal recycling bin. Each bin is clearly labelled with the materials that should go in it.

You can look up your collection day using our online calendar.

You can check how to recycle or dispose of items using our Waste Wizard.

Plastics and tin

The way we collect plastic recycling from flats and multiple-resident occupancy properties has changed. Plastics can now be recycled alongside tins in the supplied communal bins.

Both plastic and tin should be placed freely (not gathered in another bag) within the supplied communal bin and presented alongside the other recycling bins on collection day.

Your place of residence may still use the old system (plastics gathered in white or transparent bags), if this is the case you can complete a waste warden assessment. 

Please note: Soft plastics, for example carrier bags and film-style food packaging, cannot yet be recycled in these bins.

You can also take plastics to the household waste recycling centre (HWRC).

Food waste

Residents who have access to a communal bin store and have access to a communal food waste bin can recycle food. 

You can put food waste loose into your food waste caddy, or you can use a plastic or biodegradable bag to line the caddy. Please do not use liners made from black rubbish bag-style material.

Here's what to do:

  • Transfer all food waste to your indoor caddy
    • Everything including teabags, eggshells, banana peels, plate scrapings, vegetable peelings, and bones, see ‘what goes in my caddy’ below for a full list
  •  When your indoor caddy is full, empty the contents into your communal food waste bin
  • Your communal food waste bin will be collected weekly. Please make sure your recycling is in the correct bin by 6.00am.

If you do not have an indoor caddy, please complete a waste warden assessment.

For your other waste and recycling collections, you can find your collection day by using our search tool. 

We cannot collect waste left on the floor in communal recycling facilities and will only collect waste when the area is safe to enter. All bin lids must be closed in order for a collection to take place. We may not empty overfilled bins

If you find that the bins available to you cannot accommodate the level of waste produced by your building, please speak to your property manager or contact us for a waste warden assessment. 

Find out more about food waste recycling

Bulky waste

To dispose of bulky waste, such as old furniture or appliances, you can either make a free appointment to at the household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) or arrange for a bulky waste collection, for a charge. 

Bulky waste must not be left in or around your communal bin store.

Other

You can book a free appointment at the household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) for any items that cannot be recycled or disposed of via the bins in your communal bin store.

Collections

We empty communal bin stores every fortnight, except food waste bins that are emptied weekly. Please make sure your recycling is in the correct bin by 6.30am on the day of your collection. You can check your collection day using our online calendar.

We cannot collect waste left on the floor in communal recycling facilities and will only collect waste when the area is safe to enter. All bin lids must be closed in order for a collection to take place. We may not empty overfilled bins.

Flats without recycling facilities

There are still a small number of flats that have refuse collections only and have no recycling facilities.

If your household does not receive a recycling collection, you can choose to take your recyclable materials to the household waste recycling centre (HWRC). You can also speak to your landlord or management company about what other recycling provisions could be made. 

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