Wheeled Bin FAQs

Thousands of homes across Thanet now have the wheeled bin service.  We have compiled the following frequently asked questions which may be of use to you.

 

How will wheeled bins help to keep Thanet cleaner?

It currently costs us more to clean the streets than it does to collect all of Thanet's waste and recycling.   The use of the two wheeled bins has reduced the amount of rubbish on our streets caused by seagulls attacking rubbish bags on rubbish collection days.

 

Do I have to pay for my wheeled bins?

No, two wheeled bins will be issued to each suitable household free of charge.  However, please remember it is your responsibility to look after your bins and ensure that once they are emptied they are put back on your property.  A replacement bin will cost between £25 – £50 per bin!

 

How will I know what to put in which bin?

The BLACK bin is for general household waste that cannot be recycled.

 

The BLUE lidded bin is for paper, cardboard, newspaper, directories, office paper, junk mail, magazines, clean tins and cans and plastic bottles.

 

Please refer to your information leaflet, see what can I put in my bin or call 01843 577115 for more information.

 

How will the collection service work?

You will still receive a weekly waste collection. Your BLACK bin will be collected one week and the BLUE lidded bin the following week.

 

Please note: Any rubbish or black sacks outside your wheeled bin will not be collected.

 

What if I can’t put my wheeled bins out for collection?

If you have a mobility disability that prevents you from putting out your wheeled bin for collection, and you do not live with anyone who could put out your wheeled bin for you, please phone 01843 577115 to request an Assisted Collection.  You may be required to provide a medical certificate or one of our Waste & Recycling officers may visit you to discuss the arrangements.

 

How can I dispose of clinical waste?

If you have waste or syringes relating to a medical condition please contact 01843 577738 to arrange a clinical waste collection.  You will need to have a letter from a medical professional (eg GP, District Nurse) to arrange this service.

 

Will the wheeled bins be big enough?

An 180 litre wheeled bin can accommodate two and half standard black refuse bags.  Over 60% of your household waste can be recycled in your blue lidded bin.  This will free up space in your black waste bin.

 

Why can’t I put glass in my blue lidded recycling bin?

The recyclable material is machine and hand sorted at the recycling centre, which means that glass, broken or otherwise will contaminate the recyclables and possibly cause harm to the sorting staff.  Please take your glass to any of the bottle banks around Thanet.

 

What about smells and pests?

Our experience as well as that of 150 Councils already using a fortnightly collection of household refuse show that as long as waste such as nappies, cooked food, meat and fish remains are double wrapped, smells and pests should not be a problem.

 

We recommend that you always keep your bin lid closed and where possible, clean your bin occasionally with mild detergent.  Using wheeled bin size bin liners (available from local supermarkets) in your BLACK bin will also help.

 

Will the Council still provide recycling sites in car parks?

Yes, the existing recycling sites will still operate for the collection of paper, cans, textiles and glass. 

 

How can bulky waste (eg fridges, cookers, furniture) be disposed of?

Our Waste and Recycling teams who collect your wheeled bins are not allowed to remove large bulky items for Health and Safety reasons.  You can take items to the local KCC Household Waste and Recycling Sites at Margate or Richborough.  Alternatively, you could contact us on 01843 577115 to arrange for a bulky waste collection.  This is a chargeable service.

 

What about green waste?

To dispose of garden waste you have the following options:

 

  • Subscribe to Thanet District Council's garden waste collection service.
  • Home composting - to purchase compost bin visit www.recyclenow.com/compost or call 0845 0760223
  • Bulky waste collection – you can arrange for a collection of your garden waste through our special bulky waste service by contacting our Customer Services team on 01843 577115.  Current charges are £7.20 for up to 3 bags of green garden waste, or £15.50 for up to 9 bags of green garden waste.
  • Household Waste Sites - Kent County Council Waste and Recycling sites at Manston Road, Margate or Richborough, Ramsgate Road, Sandwich accept garden waste for composting.

 

What plastic can be recycled in our wheeled bin?

Clean and loose plastic bottles (such as shampoo bottles and drink bottles) without their lids.

 

Why can't we put all plastic in our wheeled bin?

Recycling plastic is difficult, there are a number of reasons for this.

There are hundreds of varieties of plastic which cannot necessarily be mixed in together for recycling. Many plastic products may be made of several different types or combined with other materials.  This makes it very difficult to separate the plastic for recycling. It is difficult to collect and store plastic for recycling and is expensive to transport due to the large volume of the material but low weight.

The most common types of plastic collected for recycling are:

  • clear plastic water or soft drinks bottles
  • opaque plastic bottles such as milk containers

This is because the UK plastic recycling market is limited and the reprocessors at present only want "plastic bottles" for recycling.


Some supermarkets provide recycling banks for plastic bags.

 

Will my paper collection continue after wheeled bins are introduced?

No. If your property currently receives the two weekly separate paper collection service, it will only continue until the dual wheeled bin scheme starts.

 

Will the new wheeled bin service save the Council money?

This scheme will not be cheaper and initially the service will cost more.

Wheeled bins are not cheap and we will require additional vehicles to provide the service, as the rate of collection is slower.

Waste & Recycling

 

E-mail: waste&streetcleaning
@thanet.gov.uk

 

Tel: 01843 577115

 

Fax: 01843 290906