Bin collection information

Here you will find information on when your bins will be collected and what should go in them.

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Bin collection

Here you will be able to find when your bins will be collected using our waste collection calendar, as well as how to report a missed or damaged bin.

Bin collection dates

To check your bin collection dates, please click here to see our waste collection calendar. Simply type in your postcode, choose your property, and your own bin collection calendar will appear.

PLEASE NOTE: During bad weather, bin collections may be affected. At these times, visit the council alerts page for more information.


Bin collection times

If your bin is not out for collection at 7am on your bin collection day, and it is not emptied, we can only return to collect it on the next scheduled collection day a fortnight later.

 

Report a missed bin

PLEASE NOTE: Your recycling bin may not have been emptied due to contamination.
 
If we are at fault for your bin being missed, we will make every effort to collect it as soon as possible, after one of the missed bin collection forms below are filled in. The 'report a missed residential waste bin collection' form can be used to report missed collection of household waste, recycling and garden waste:

  • Report a missed residential bin collection
  • Report a missed trade waste collection
    •  
     
    We cannot issue refunds for any missed bin collections.

     

    Apply for assisted bin collection

    You may qualify for assisted bin collection if you are elderly, disabled, or suffering from a short or long-term illness. Please apply for assisted bin collection using the form below:

     

    New, lost, stolen, or damaged bins

    If you have moved into a new home without bins, you will need to buy general waste and recycling bins.
     
    You are expected to pay for a replacement bin, unless the bin has been damaged by the council’s vehicles or staff, or if we have agreed that your bin should be left permanently on the roadside.
     
    Charges:
    • £34 for a small (140-litre) recycling or general waste wheeled bin
    • £39.50 for a standard (240-litre) recycling or general waste wheeled bin
    • £69 for a large (340-litre) recycling or general waste wheeled bin
    • £111 for a large (660-litre) recycling or general waste wheeled bin
    • £394 for an extra-large (1,100-litre) recycling or general waste wheeled bin
     
    PLEASE NOTE: It is possible to buy a second-hand bin, but this is subject to a ‘first come, first served’ basis. You can also buy a bin from another supplier, provided it meets the council’s standards.
     
    Please call us on 0345 600 6400 for any enquiries, or to order a new bin.
    We aim to deliver your new/ replacement bin within five working days of payment being received.

     

    Change your bin

    If you would like to request a smaller bin, please click here to fill out our online form.
    If you would like to request a larger bin, please call us on 0345 600 6400.

    What can I put in my bin?

    Please see the lists below for more information on what to put in your household, recycling, and garden bins.

    For more information about what you can put into your bins, please click on the blue drop-down boxes for the relevant bin below:

    Yes please

    No thanks
    Clean paper and card (except shredded paper and paper towels) Shredded paper (put in general waste bin), tissues or paper towels
    Plain birthday/Christmas cards Birthday/Christmas cards containing glitter or other 'bling'
    Paper gift wrap Plastic/foil gift wrap
    Junk mail, newspapers, magazines, catalogues and directories Tin foil or foil trays
    Cardboard (please flatten) Plastics which aren’t bottles e.g. bags, carrier bags, cling film, plant pots, yoghurt pots, food trays, margarine cartons, bubble wrap
    Clean food tins and drink cans (please rinse) Tetra Pak (juice and milk cartons)*
    Empty aerosol cans Glass*
    Plastic bottles, including drinks, shampoo and detergent bottles (please ensure they are washed and squashed but you can now leave the tops on)  Food waste
    ANY plastic bottles with or without lids can be put in the recycling bin. Clothing, shoes and textiles
    Disposable nappies
    Very heavy or electrical items, e.g. television, hairdryer, toaster, batteries, vaping products 

    *PLEASE NOTE: You can take your glass and wax cartons/Tetra Paks to your local household waste recovery centre (HWRC).

    PLEASE NOTE: For items that cannot go in your bin such as beauty products, plastic bags and wrapping, click here to find the nearest location you can recycle these items. 

    Yes please

    No thanks
    Food waste Very heavy or electrical items, e.g. television, hairdryer toaster, batteries, vaping products
    Nappies Garden waste (please enquire about the garden waste collection service)
    Vacuum cleaner contents  
     
     
     
    Plastic film and polystyrene
    Pet waste
    Shredded paper (if you don’t home compost)
    Northumberland Couty Council does not accept sharps and needles.  These should be taken back to a medical practitioner.  You can find details of how to dispose of sharps and needles on the NHS website. 

    Yes please

    No thanks
    Leaves Kitchen waste (such as fruit and vegetable peelings)
    Grass Soil or rubble
    Weeds General household rubbish
    Small branches less than 10cm in diameter Plant pots or fence panels
    Hedges Garden equipment, fittings or garden furniture
    Tree cuttings less than 10cm in diameter  

    Your bin collection questions answered

    Please see below for our answers to commonly asked questions regarding bin collection.

    What should I do when bin collections are disrupted?

    If collections are disrupted due to severe weather, we will provide updates on the council alerts page, Facebook, and Twitter. You will find links for these below: We always aim to rearrange missed collections caused by service disruption as soon as possible.  
     

    What happens if my garden waste bin is missed?

    If we have missed your garden bin, every effort will be made to return to collect it, providing it was missed through our fault. However, if it has been missed due to bad weather or other circumstances beyond our control, this may not always be possible.

    Unfortunately, we cannot pay refunds or part refunds for missed garden waste bins.

    You can click on the boxes below to find more answers to some of your FAQs:
    Even if your collection day has not changed, the time that we come to empty your bins may change - if you don’t put your bin out by 7am on the day of collection, it might not be emptied, and we won’t be able to return for it. 

    During the rest of the year, we still occasionally need to change the order in we collect bins to consider things like roadworks, weather conditions and other issues out of our control, so please always ensure you put your bin out by 7am on collection day.
    The type of assistance you currently receive will be the same, but the day and time we visit you may change from time to time. We aim to notify households in advance if the collection day is changing, but please click here for our bin collection calendar to double check.
     
    If you lock a gate, then please make sure that it is open from 7am on your collection day.
     
    If your recycling bin has been contaminated, you will find a tag on the bin or a letter through your door reminding you of the recycling guidelines. Please read the advice given, remove the offending items and put it out again on your next scheduled recycling collection day in two weeks' time.
     
    Some points to consider:
    • Certain materials will cause problems at the sorting plant – materials such as food waste, nappies or glass will contaminate the bin beyond sorting and so the bin will not be emptied.
    • Continually and deliberately contaminating your bin – the council will either remove your bin or refuse to empty it. In order to have your bin returned you will need to agree not to cause further contamination and pay the standard charge for the re-provision of the recycling bin if applicable.
    Please click here to see what you can and can’t put in your recycling bin.
    If you feel you don’t have space for a wheeled bin, then you may be able to use bin sacks.

    The council must determine this before you can start using bin sacks for collection. 

    For more information on bins sacks, and to request free recycling sacks, please call 0345 600 6400, or visit one of our Customer Service Centres.

    Please click here to find out more about your local Customer Service Centre.
    Follow this simple checklist to ensure your bins are collected correctly:
    • Put your bin out before 7am on collection day, either at the kerbside or previously agreed collection point.
    • Don’t overfill your bin; the lid must be able to close.
    • Don’t leave excess waste alongside your bin as it will not be collected.
    • Any excess waste should be taken to your local household waste recovery centre (HWRC).
    • Don’t put any clinical/healthcare waste in your bin; ask your doctor/nurse/pharmacist to recommend how you should dispose of this waste.
    • Take your bin back onto your property within 24 hours of it being emptied.

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