Buying your own bins

Please read the information below before buying your own bins.

Container specifications

If you buy your own containers, they must meet our standards and be approved before use.

We won't collect from containers that don't meet these standards. All bins and boxes need to work with our collection vehicles to prevent staff injuries and vehicle damage. Suitable containers also help us collect waste efficiently.

We require your recycling to be separated for collection, as outlined in what goes into my bins and boxes. You will need a full set of containers as described below. 

Wheeled general waste bin

• Colour - Black
• Maximum Capacity - 180L
• Height minimum 1050mm
• Nominal weight when empty - max 8kg
• Width at lifting lip - 540mm to 550mm
• Meet the BSI standard EN 840-1:2012 for waste and recycling containers with 2 wheels for comb lifting devices
• Independent test reports to RAL GZ 951/1 (www.ggawb.de/en/quality-mark
• GS mark certification
• Reinforced front lifting comb 
• Compatible with all Terberg bin lifting equipment

Recycling boxes

• Colour - 1 x Green & 1 x Black
• Capacity - 55L
• Height - 320 to 355mm
• Width - 520 to 570mm
• Depth - 400 to 450mm
• Extra wide rim that functions as a continuous hand grip, making it easy to be lifted and tipped from any angle.
• Rim of both lengths compliant with vehicle loading hooks
• Drainage holes
• Nest-able (able to stack within each other)

Food waste container

• Colour - blue
• Lockable carry handle
• Robust back handle or underside handle for waste collection operatives
• Capacity - maximum 23L
• Width - 310 to 330mm
• Depth - 390 to 410mm
• Height - 395 to 415mm

Paper recycling sack

• Colour - blue
• Dimensions - 450 x 600mm or similar
• Material - recycled LDPE, 75gsm or similar

Additional bins/capacity

We will only empty one black wheeled bin per property. Extra bins are given only if needed and at our discretion.

Replacements

If you buy your own containers, they belong to you, not the council. We won't replace them if they are lost or damaged.

If your container is damaged during collection and can't be used anymore, or if it falls into the collection vehicle, it might be replaced for free. This doesn't include damage from overfilling, putting inappropriate items in it, or normal wear and tear. Replacements in these cases are at the our discretion.

Garden waste bins

We will only empty garden waste bins that we have provided.

Green wheeled bins are supplied to subscribers of our garden waste collection service and remain the property of the service provider.

Failure to arrange for suitable waste containers

If you don't pay for our bins or other approved containers, you might get a section 46 notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. This notice will require you to use the correct containers for your waste.

If you ignore this notice, we may issue a fine or take legal action.

Once a legal notice is served, waste collection may stop until you use the correct containers.