Please look through the list below of frequently asked questions. Click on the question that you would like to know the answer to and the page will move down to the appropriate answer.
If there is a question you have that does not have an answer here, or you need some more information, please telephone our Customer Helpline on 01724 297000 or email: wastemanagement@northlincs.gov.uk.
- I live in a flat/maisonette/hard to reach property with limited or no space. Where will I put these new containers?
- I do not want the new containers. Do I have to have them?
- Will keeping general refuse outside of my property in bins or boxes for up to two weeks attract vermin?
- If I am keeping refuse in my bins for two weeks, will the council be providing a bin cleaning service?
- I have young children in nappies and am concerned about leaving disposable nappies in my dustbin for up to two weeks.
- Can I recycle my plastic and cardboard at the kerbside?
- How will I know which box or bin to put out and on which day?
- What about my confidential waste such as bank statements?
- If we have all of these recycling facilities at home, are we going to have public litterbins for recycling?
- I have just moved into a property in North Lincolnshire and there are no bins or boxes at the property.
- I am unable to move my bins or boxes out for collection. What can I do?
- We have a large family and cannot manage a fortnight between collections. What can I do?
- I work in an office/school/business can we have kerbside boxes for recycling?
- I do not have space for two kerbside boxes, what can I do?
- My boxes do not appear to stack.
- Where are the kerbside boxes collected from and when?
- Where are the wheeled bins collected from and when?
- Why are boxes not issued with lids?
- I have lost/had stolen/damaged one of my kerbside boxes. Can I have a new one?
- My kerbside box/wheeled bin has not been collected. What should I do?
- Can I use a box that I have bought from the supermarket (i.e. a non-council scheme box)?
- I have extra tins/glass/paper that will not fit in my kerbside boxes. Can I present extra?
- What can I recycle in my blue/green kerbside box?
- Why can’t I recycle envelopes in my blue box?
- What can/can’t I put in my brown bin?
- I put extra waste at the side of my dustbin and it was not collected. Why is this?
- My dustbin lid was not closed/I had extra bags on top of my bin and it was not collected? Why is this?
- What is my green/grey dustbin for/Is there anything I should not put in it?
- I have clinical waste that I do not want to put in my dustbin. Is there anything the council provide for this?
- I have a bulky item that I cannot put in my wheeled bin. What can I do with it?
- I have extra plastics/cardboard I cannot fit into my burgundy bin, where can I take it to be recycled?
- Where can I recycle other materials not currently collected by the council?
- I have been to my local recycling banks and they are full/messy/vandalised/tipped over/damaged/graffitied. What should I do?
- Can I take my van to one of the Household Recycling Centres?
- Does the council offer skip hire?
- Does the council sell home composters?
- My compost bin has not been delivered/ is not working/ is attracting vermin/ smells. What should I do?
- I am a teacher/ part of a community group; does the council have an education team for recycling?
- What is the ‘Duty of Care’?
- What if it is raining on the day of my blue box collection?
- Do I need to rinse out my cans/glass?
- Can I use biodegradable bags in my brown wheeled bin?
- Can I put shredded paper in my blue box?
- Where can I dispose of unwanted tyres?
- My general waste wheeled bin has been lost/stolen/damaged. Can I have a new one?
- My brown/burgundy wheeled bin has been lost/stolen/damaged. Can I have a new one?
- Can I have a second bin?
- Can I burn my household waste?
- What are the supermarkets doing about packaging?
- What is "excess waste"?
- My collection dates calendar runs out in March/has run out. When/how can I get a new one?
- Can I recycle my unwanted electrical items and batteries?
- Can I recycle food and drink cartons?
- I am dark colour blind. How can I tell the difference between my brown bin and burgundy bin?
- What can I/can't I put in my burgundy bin?
- Why don't I have a brown bin, will I get a burgundy bin?
Q1: I live in a flat/maisonette/hard to reach properties with limited or no space. Where will I put these new containers?
A: Flats, maisonettes and some other ‘hard to reach’ properties are being considered separately and at present are not included on the alternate weekly collection scheme. Future proposals to involve such properties will be communicated directly to those affected. If in doubt, please telephone the Customer Helpline.
Flats at Market Hill and Trent View House in Scunthorpe now have access to “Node” recycling facilities where they can recycle paper, glass, cans and plastic bottles.
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Q2: I do not want the new containers. Do I have to have them?
A: Residents are not obligated to receive or use the recycling containers and can opt out of the scheme. However residents are encouraged to recycle because they will still only receive a general refuse collection once a fortnight. Using the blue and green boxes and brown containers will mean residents will have a collection each week. Please contact the Customer Helpline to discuss this further.
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Q3: Will keeping general refuse outside of my property in bins or boxes for up to two weeks attract vermin?
A: From experience in the trial area, it is clear that if waste is correctly stored (e.g. waste in your green/grey bin is bagged and the lid kept closed) then a fortnightly collection will not attract vermin. Tins and jars in your green box should be washed out first. Lids can also be purchased for your boxes if required. Please contact the Customer Helpline for further advice.
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Q4:If I am keeping refuse in my bins for two weeks, will the council be providing a bin cleaning service?
A: No. If waste is bagged before being put into your general wheeled bin (green/grey), the bin should remain clean. We ask that no bags be used in the brown bins, as these cannot be composted. If you feel your bin requires cleaning, we recommend you use old washing up water or rain water collected from a water butt, in order to conserve water usage.
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Q5: I have young children in nappies and am concerned about leaving disposable nappies in my dustbin for up to two weeks.
A: The alternate weekly scheme has been in operation in Scunthorpe for over 12 years, involving many families with young children in nappies. Please bag them before placing them into the wheeled bin and keep the bin lid closed. For information on real nappies, please visit the Women’s Environmental Website.
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Q6: Can I recycle my plastic and cardboard at the kerbside?
A: As part of North Lincolnshire Council's commitment to recycling, those residents who have a brown bin collection of organic waste, will also receive a kerbside collection of certain types of plastic and cardboard.
Residents on the scheme will now have received their burgundy bin for recycling plastic bottles cardboard. Collections are due to start from Monday 3 September 2007.
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Q7: How will I know which box or bin to put out and on which day?
A: Sticker calendars are provided for all of your collections and containers. Please stick them to the side of your container or keep them somewhere safe for future reference. Wheeled bin collection dates will be found on a sticker on your new brown bin. If you are still unsure of your collection dates, please call the Customer Helpline or check out our waste and recycling collections page where you will be asked for your post code and can view your collections over the next four weeks.
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Q8: What about my confidential waste such as bank statements?
A: Waste collection systems are inherently safe, but once the waste is transferred to the collection contractor it becomes their property. Consequently it is recommended that confidential waste should not be put into any container without firstly shredding or ripping it up. Confidential waste paper can also be composted at home. Please do not put this material into the brown bin. Alternatively shredded paper can be placed into the blue box. To aid the collection of shredded paper from the blue box, we would recommend that you wrap your shredded paper in sheets of newspaper so as to reduce the chance of it being blown from the box.
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Q9: If we have all of these recycling facilities at home, are we going to have public litterbins for recycling?
A: Research has found that such bins usually have a high level of contamination; therefore at present they will not be provided. There are however recycling banks at many locations across North Lincolnshire in locations such as supermarkets, car parks and public houses that you may use to dispose of recyclable waste while out and about. Please see the following link for more information: Where can I recycle?.
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Q10: I have just moved into a property in North Lincolnshire and there are no bins or boxes at the property.
A: New residents to North Lincolnshire are entitled to a 140L general waste wheeled bin, a 140L brown organic waste wheeled bin, a 140L burgundy wheeled bin for blastic and cardboard, a green kerbside recycling box (tins, cans and foil), a blue kerbside recycling box (paper) and a textile sack free of charge. If residents require a 240L general waste wheeled bin, this can be provided in lieu of the 140L general waste wheeled bin for an additional charge of £30.
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Q11: I am unable to move my bins or boxes out for collection. What can I do?
A: If you have a disability or infirmity and there are no able bodied occupants at the property, you can request an assisted collection and once approved you will receive an assisted collection for all wheeled bins and kerbside boxes. To apply for an assisted collection service visit our assisted collection service page to download an application form or ring the Customer Helpline who will send you an application form.
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Q12: We have a large family and cannot manage a fortnight between collections. What can I do?
A: The council offers a larger wheeled bin service for families of five or more permanent residents living in a property. For more information visit our larger household page and download an application form or call the Customer Helpline.
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Q13: I work in an office/school/business can we have kerbside boxes for recycling?
A: Waste produced in offices/schools/businesses is classed as Trade Waste. Currently the council is exploring ways of providing schools and council buildings with recycling collections. When this scheme is up an running, we may also look at providing recycling collections to business in North Lincolnshire. This scheme is still however being developed and any updates in the services we provided to businesses will be detailed on our website at a later date. There are several private companies that will collect recyclable material from trade premises (look in Yellow Pages). Trade waste can also be recycled at the Household Recycling Centre on Cottage Beck Road. A charge will be levied for this service.
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Q14: I do not have space for two kerbside boxes, what can I do?
A: The kerbside boxes are designed to stack to save space. It does not matter if the boxes are kept inside or outside of your property. If the boxes are kept outside and the material gets wet, it does not matter, as the material can still be recycled.
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Q15: My boxes do not appear to stack.
A: When stacking your two kerbside boxes, you will notice that both your green and blue box has printing on one of the box sides. In order to stack the boxes, one box will have the printing facing towards you and one will have the printing facing away from you. If your boxes are falling into each other, try turning your box by 180 degrees. If this does not work, please telephone our Customer Helpline.
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Q16: Where are the kerbside boxes collected from and when?
A: To ensure a collection, we ask that both kerbside boxes be presented at the edge of your property, where it meets the pavement, which is clearly visible to the crews before 8.30am on the day of collection. If you have purchased a lid these should not be put out on the day of collection. Sticker calendars are available with collection dates to attach to the side of your kerbside boxes. If you do not have a calendar, please visit our waste and recycling collections page to find out when your boxes will be collected over the next four weeks or telephone the Customer Helpline.
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Q17: Where are the wheeled bins collected from and when?
A: To ensure a collection, we ask that wheeled bins be presented at the edge of your property where it meets the pavement by 7am on the day of collection. Sticker calendars are provided for the collection dates of your brown bin and general refuse bin. If you do not have a calendar, please visit our waste and recycling collections page to find out when your bins will be collected over the next four weeks or telephone the Customer Helpline.
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Q18: Why are boxes not issued with lids?
A: The decision was taken not to provide householders with lids not only from a cost perspective, but also for the concerns that lids may easily be misplaced. Lids are available for purchasing to aid storage, but it is asked that lids be removed when boxes are placed out for collection.
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Q19: I have lost/had stolen/damaged one of my kerbside boxes. Can I have a new one?
A: New residents are provided with kerbside boxes free of charge. After their first issue residents can have one free replacement of lost/stolen/damaged boxes. Any subsequent replacements or additional boxes can purchased at a small cost. Please contact the Customer Helpline for more information.
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Q20: My kerbside box/wheeled bin has not been collected. What should I do?
A: If a container has not been collected please report to the Customer Helpline as soon as possible and we will investigate why the container was not collected.
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Q21: Can I use a box that I have bought from the supermarket (for example a non-council scheme box)?
A: Where householders present boxes that are not purchased or provided by the council the crews have been instructed not to undertake a collection due to the health and safety risks associated with low quality boxes available from supermarkets, etc. The boxes provided by the council have been assessed for health and safety for the collection staff and residents. If you are currently using a non-scheme box, please contact our customer helpline on (01724) 297000 as residents are entitled to one free replacement of each box and our staff will advise you if you are entitled to a free replacement.
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Q22: I have extra tins/glass/paper that will not fit in my kerbside boxes. Can I present extra?
A: Excess paper can be presented in a carrier bag placed next to your blue box. Additional cans will be accepted in a carrier bag placed next to the green box but should not be mixed with any other recyclables e.g. glass. For safety reasons, we regret we cannot collect excess glass in carrier bags. This material must be presented inside the box provided.
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Q23: What can I recycle in my blue/green kerbside box?
A: Please see the following links for detailed information about what you can and cannot put into your blue and green kerbside boxes: Green Box or Blue box.
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Q24: Why can’t I recycle envelopes in my blue box?
A: Unfortunately envelopes cannot be completely recycled due to the adhesive strip that seals the envelope, and because many envelopes contain a plastic window. The glue and plastic interferes with the paper recycling process and can affect the quality of the recycled paper. For the keen recycler a solution to this problem would be to remove the adhesive strip and plastic windows and then the rest of the paper can then be recycled. Check out our recycling paper page for more information.
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Q25: What can/can’t I put in my brown bin?
A: Please see the following link for detailed information about what you can/can't put into your Brown bin.
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Q26: I put extra waste at the side of my dustbin and it was not collected. Why is this?
A: It is council policy not to collect excess waste with any of the wheeled bins under any circumstances. This is enforced throughout the authority. This is in order to safeguard the health and safety of the collection vehicle crews and ensure that all residents receive a fair and equitable service. If you have extra waste or recycling, it can be taken to one of the eight Household Recycling Centres or some materials can be taken for recycling at community recycling facilities. Please see the following link for your nearest recycling point: Where can I recycle?
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Q27: My dustbin lid was not closed/I had extra bags on top of my bin and it was not collected? Why is this?
A: Please ensure your bin lids are shut. Raised bin lids can be hazardous for our operators and may damage your bin. If excess waste is presented on top of either bin, this will not be collected.
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Q28: What is my general waste wheeled bin for/is there anything I should not put in it?
A: Your general waste wheeled bin should be used for the remaining household waste that cannot be recycled. Please see the following link for information about what should not be put into your Green/grey bin wheeled bin.
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Q29: I have clinical waste that I do not want to put in my dustbin. Is there anything the council provide for this?
A: Please contact the Customer Helpline for advice on dealing with clinical waste. Visit our A to Z of recycling for more information on clinical waste.
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Q30: I have a bulky item that I cannot put in my wheeled bin. What can I do with it?
A: The council offers a bulky items collection service. The item can also be taken to one of the Household Recycling Centres. If taking to one of the Household Recycling Centres, please be aware of the access restrictions for the sites.
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Q31: I have extra plastics/cardboard I cannot fit in my burgundy bin, where can I take it to be recycled?
A: If you have additional plastic and cardboard that will not fit into your burgundy bin it can be recycled at your nearest Household Recycling Centre. Plastic bottles can also be recycled at other various community recycling locations throughout North Lincolnshire. Please see our Where can I recycle? pages to find your closest recycling point.
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Q32: Where can I recycle other materials not currently collected by the council?
A: Please see our Where can I recycle? pages to find your closest recycling point.
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Q33: I have been to my local recycling banks and they are full/messy/vandalised/tipped over/damaged/graffitied. What should I do?
A: If banks are full or if there is excess waste around the banks, please report the location, the bank and the problem to the Customer Helpline. This will then be passed onto contractors who will empty the entire bank or pick up litter or excess around the bank.
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Q34: Can I take my van to one of the Household Recycling Centres?
A: The sites are provided strictly for household waste and all forms of transport that are not private motor vehicles including any vehicle bearing sign writing, hire vehicles and vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are prohibited from site. In practical terms this means vans, pickups and small lorries. Permits are however available to non signwritten vans where the applicant applies to the council for a permit and can demonstrate that the vehicle will be used to deposit household waste only. With the exception of Cottage Beck Road HRC which can take trade waste on a chargeable basis.
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Q35: Does the council offer skip hire?
A: North Lincolnshire Council can provide competitively priced skips for larger projects around the home. Skips are available to households for inert waste (soil and rubble) or garden waste. Unfortunately, general waste skips are no longer available. For more information on the skip service please call 01724 297806.
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Q36: Does the council sell home composters?
A: Residents wishing to purchase a subsidised composter should contact the WRAP order line number (0845 077 0757). Please see our Composting page for details of the compost bins. Alternatively please contact the Customer Helpline who will arrange for a leaflet to be sent out to you.
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Q37: My compost bin has not been delivered/ is not working/ is attracting vermin/ smells. What should I do?
A: Please contact the Customer Helpline who will forward your enquiry to the Waste Management division.
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Q38: I am a teacher/ part of a community group; does the council have an education team for recycling?
A: The Waste Management division provides presentations and displays upon request and has a proactive programme in schools and groups. We routinely receive requests for general recycling advice and information. Please call the Customer Helpline and give full details including contact details, proposed location of event and dates/times and subject matter.
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Q39: What is the ‘Duty of Care’?
A: Every waste producer, including households, is under a legal obligation to ensure the waste they produce is managed correctly. If you pass any waste onto someone else for disposal and they subsequently dump the material, you will be guilty of the offence. Always ensure that anyone you contract to remove your waste is registered with the Environment Agency to carry such material and can demonstrate where it is to be taken. Please see the Environment Agency website for more information. As a general rule if someone quotes you a very low price for removing your waste that sounds ‘too good to be true’, it possibly is. For advice, please contact the Customer Helpline. Please see our A to Z of recycling for information on the Householders Duty of Care.
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Q40: What if it is raining on the day of my blue box collection?
A: It does not matter if it's raining. Please present your paper box as normal by 8.30am at the edge of your property where it meets the pavement. It does not matter if the paper gets wet, as it can still be recycled.
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Q41: Do I need to rinse out my cans/glass?
A: Yes please. We ask that householders rinse out all glass bottles and jars, cans and tins and aluminium foil for hygiene purposes for you and for the collection staff. By rinsing the recyclable material, you will prevent any smell developing from their storage.
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Q42: Can I use biodegradable bags in my brown wheeled bin?
A: No. We ask that no plastic bags of any sort be put into the brown bins, as they cannot be composted. Although biodegradable bags are available for use in home compost bins, the bags still take a long period to decompose and so they should not be used with the brown organic wheeled bins.
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Q43: Can I put shredded paper in my blue box?
A: Yes. Previously paper was collected from the kerbside using cage sided vehicles and shredded paper posed a problem in terms of littering. From 6 February 2006, the vehicles collecting the paper for recycling changed. We would recommend that you wrap your shredded paper in sheets of newspaper so as to reduce the chance of the shredded paper causing littering, as shredded paper would be easily blown out of the kerbside blue box.
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Q44: Where can I dispose of unwanted tyres?
A: Householders will not normally have tyres for disposal. These are usually retained and disposed of by tyre fitting companies. However, tyres can be taken to the Belton, Barton and Cottage Beck Household Recycling Centres for recycling. A charge of £2.50 must be paid for each tyre deposited at these sites. Only car tyres are accepted at these sites and NO lorry or tractor tyres will be accepted. Please see our Household Recycling Centres - charges for tyres page for further information.
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Q45: My general waste wheeled bin has been lost/stolen/damaged. Can I have a new one?
A: On the first occasion we will provide a 140L general waste wheeled bin free of charge to replace lost or stolen bins. Any subsequent replacements of lost or stolen general waste wheeled bins will be chargeable. If residents require a standard 240L bin to replace a lost or stolen bin this will be at a cost of £30. General waste wheeled bins are provided with a 10 year guarantee against general wear and tear. A date of manufacture is stamped on the lid of the bin in order for residents to confirm the age of their bin. Any general waste wheeled bin damaged within the 10 year guarantee period will be replaced free of charge like for like. Please telephone the Customer Helpline for more information.
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Q46: My brown/burgundy wheeled bin has been lost/stolen/damaged. Can I have a new one?
A: Brown and burgundy wheeled bins are provided initially to new residents free of charge. On the first occasion we will provide a replacement brown or burgundy bin free of charge to replace lost or stolen bins. Any second or subsequent replacements of lost or stolen bins will be chargeable. The brown and burgundy wheeled bins are provided with a 10 year guarantee against general wear and tear. This guarantee will start from the date of distribution. Any brown or burgundy wheeled bin damaged within the 10 year guarantee period will be replaced free of charge. Please telephone the Customer Helpline for more information.
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Q47: Can I have a second bin?
A: No. North Lincolnshire Council has a single bin policy that is enforced throughout the area. Only one wheeled bin will be collected from each property each week to ensure a fair and equitable service for every household.
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Q48: Can I burn my household waste?
A: We do not recommend that household waste be burnt as this may cause a statutory nuisance and may result in formal proceedings. For further information you should contact the Public Health team on 01724 297629.
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Q49: What are the supermarkets doing about packaging?
A: The Courtauld Commitment is an agreement between the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and a consortium of 13 top retailers including Asda, Sainsbury's, Morrisons, Tesco, Marks & Spencer and Waitrose, that is utilising £8 million of funding from the Waste Minimisation and Innovation Fund. The aims of the commitment are to design out packaging waste growth by 2008; to deliver absolute reductions in packaging waste by March 2010 and to identify ways to tackle food waste.
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Q50: What is "excess waste"?
A: Excess waste is deemed to be any waste not contained within your wheeled bin when the lid is closed. Excess waste might be at the side of your bin or might be placed onto your wheeled bin but prevents the lid from closing. North Lincolnshire Council has a strict no excess policy that is enforced throughout the area. Please see Q26 and Q27 for more information. Back to questions.
Q51: My collection dates calendar runs out in March/has run out. When/how can I get a new one?
A: Calendars of collection dates for your wheeled bins and kerbside boxes are issued to householders before the end of March every year. These calendars include details of bank holiday and Christmas/new year collections when you may have a different collection day. If you have not received your calendars please contact the Customer Helpline on 01724 297000.
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Q52: Can I recycle my unwanted electrical items and batteries?
A: Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and batteries can now be recycled at each of the eight Household Recycling Centres. For more detailed information about recycling electrical items and batteries please visit our WEEE pages.
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Q53: Can I recycle food and drink cartons?
A: Liquid food and drinks cartons are used to store fruit juices, long life milk, cooking sauces and smoothies to name just a few items. These cartons are made of a mixture of waxed cardboard, plastic and foil. Previously it was very hard to recycle food and drink cartons as there were very facilities available in the UK. Facilties for carton recycling are being made available throughout the UK, and facilities are now available at selected Household Recycling Centres. For more details please see our A-Z of recycling pages. Please do not put these items into your burgundy bin for plastic and cardboard as these items will contaminate the material.
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Q54: I am colour blind. How can I tell the difference between my brown bin and burgundy bin?
A: Your burgundy bin has a white recycling symbol on the front of it, and the word recycle to help you to identify it.
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Q55: What can I/can't I put in my burgundy bin?
A: Please see the following link for detailed information about what you can/can't put into your burgundy bin.
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Q56: Why don't I have a brown bin collection and will I get a burgundy bin?
A: At present the council is unable to provide all properties with a brown bin collection due to access and servicing restrictions. For example, if you live in a terraced property and your bin is collected via the rear access (ie tenfoot, alleyway) we do not currently have a brown bin vehicle that is small enough to service your property. Therefore residents who cannot currently receive a brown bin collection will not receive a burgundy bin at this time.
The council is currently exploring ways of providing recycling facilities to all households within North Lincolnshire. Residents will be kept informed of any collection changes that are likely to affect them.
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