The number and types of bins and collection of bins
- How many bins are you giving to people?
It is proposed that the majority of homes will be provided with the following containers from April 2017, in addition to their existing containers:
- Kitchen caddy and food waste bin for the food waste service
- A recycling box for recyclable plastics, glass and cans
Please see here.
The proposed waste and recycling system is expected to increase recycling capacity, recycling performance and reduce costs.
- Is there any flexibility i.e. an additional green bin for recycling?
Yes. Residents will be able to request additional containers for the recycling and food waste collections.
- Where can I put garden waste as I currently put it in the brown bin and can’t afford the green garden waste service?
Garden waste should not be put into brown bins.
Alternatives to the chargeable garden waste service are:
- Take garden waste to Kimpton Park Way Reuse and Recycling Centre for recycling
- Compost garden waste in your home compost bin. If you have not got a compost bin, or would like additional bins, you can order a free bin (£5 delivery charge) here.
- If your circumstances change and you would like to sign up for the Green Garden Waste service, please click here
- Given the amount of plastics I recycle, I need a bin not a box
The boxes will be stackable and residents can have as many boxes as they need for their glass and plastics recycling.
- Can the recycling trucks collect bins as well as boxes?
The contents of the recycling bins and boxes will be kept separate at all times. Recycling boxes will be emptied into a wheeled bin, which will kept on the lorry. The wheeled bin is then emptied in the lorry.
- Can we have a bigger brown bin otherwise it will overflow in two weeks (household of four) We need adequate sized bins if it’s collected fortnightly
We have no plans to increase the size or number of the brown bins at each property in the borough. In Sutton currently more than 40% of the waste in brown bins is food waste. Veolia plans to provide a new bin for food waste so it can be separated out from the brown bin waste. Food waste and recycling will be collected every week. This means the remaining brown bin waste will not contain food or create smells that attract vermin.
- Can houses share bins?
Yes. It is possible for neighbours to share bins. Residents would need to arrange this themselves.
- What food waste bins will be provided and will the Council provide biodegradable bags?
For the food waste collection, a small outdoor bin and a kitchen caddy will be provided.
There are no plans to provide bags to collect food waste.
- How have you decided the size ratio of paper to plastics receptacles? We use more plastic so a bin for that would be better, and we need a big brown bin.
In order to preserve its value, it’s important to keep paper and card dry. Wet paper and card is considered contaminated and has to be sent to landfill, which costs money and reduces the opportunity to generate income from recycling. So it’s best all round to use a water-tight bin to recycle paper and card.
The boxes will be stackable and residents can have as many boxes as they need for their glass and plastics recycling.
- Will you provide the bins (no charge)?
Yes. The new recycling bins will be provided free of charge. There will continue to be a charge for Green Garden Waste bins.
The system of segregation and different collections
- This is too complicated and confusing
Detailed communications will be provided before the new service is rolled out to provide clear information about which items should go into which bin. A wide range of communication channels will be used including leaflets, local press, road shows and social media. If you have any suggestions about how you would like to find out information about the new waste and recycling service please let us know.
- Do we really expect people to sort their rubbish?
The proposed waste and recycling system is expected to increase recycling capacity, recycling performance and reduce costs. We hope that residents will support us. The proposals are very similar to services which are already successfully running in a number of Councils across the country.
- How will people especially older people remember what goes where?
Detailed communications will be provided before the new service is rolled out to provide clear information about which items should go into which bin. A wide range of communication channels will be used including leaflets, local press road shows and social media. If you have any suggestions about how you would like to find out information about the new waste and recycling service please let us know. Once the new service is up and running, we will continue to distribute information about what can be recycled in which bin, to help people to remember.
- It is too much effort to expect people to separate materials
The proposed waste and recycling system is expected to increase recycling capacity, recycling performance and reduce costs. We hope that residents will support us.
- It’s a waste of time separating materials
Collecting recyclable materials separately increases the quantity and quality of recycling, and reduces carbon emissions. Research from the European Commission suggests two-stream collections (alternating weekly collections of paper/card and tins/bottles/plastics), can help reduce costs. Separating these items reduces the likelihood of contaminated recycling material, which has to be sent to landfill at additional financial and environmental cost. Also, we can generate more recycling income by separating out our waste which helps preserve other vital Council services.
- I am confused about what plastic can be recycled, polythene, tv magazines, tin foil, shopping bags, hearing aids, tablet wrappers, torches, small batteries?
We have very recently delivered leaflets and bin stickers to residents about the recycling service. If you would like a copy, please ring us on 020 8770 5000 with your address and we will organise for one to get to you.
There is also an A to Z list of materials that can be recycled in Sutton and where they can be recycled, on our website, which also includes a detailed list of the types of materials that can be recycled from home using the green bin. We cannot list every item, therefore if you are unsure whether something can be recycled, please get in touch with the Council.