Stafford Borough Council - Waste & Recycling General Information and FAQ's

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Recycling and Waste Collection Service

Great News regarding your Blue Bin Recycling Service!

Stafford Borough Council are pleased to announce that from 13 September 2010 we will be expanding the amount of recyclables that can be recycled in your blue bin.

In order to enable us to collect these additional items, alternative arrangements have been made for the collection of textiles which will no longer be able to be put in the blue bin after the above date. We are introducing a Dial a Bag service for the collection of textiles which is detailed in the new information booklet which has recently been sent to you.

Please find below some Frequently Asked Questions and other useful information. Please also note that the new information booklet is not yet available online as the improved service does not start until 13 September 2010.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

NEW AND IMPROVED RECYCLING SERVICE - BLUE BIN
effective from w/c 13 September 2010

Q. What extra recycling will I be able to put in my blue bin after 13 September 2010?

A. The enhanced recycling service will enable residents to recycle more items - waxed cartons (eg
Tetrapak), foil, aerosols, empty plastic bags and cellophane.

Q. Why can I no longer put textiles in my blue bin?

A. We have found that textiles have become contaminated with broken glass etc in the blue bin which
means that they cannot be re-used. We have now arranged an alternative collection of textiles
which will be collected separately and will be reused.

Further details of this service and suitable materials can be found by following this link: Dial-a-Bag

Q. Why does it say on the textile bag that the bag and it's contents are the property of the Local Authority?

A. This is to dissuade rogue collectors from removing the bags from the kerbside, the Dial a Bag
service has also been introduced for this reason as the bags will now be collected by arrangement.

Q. Why has a textile collection been arranged when there are plenty of bags put through the
door already?

A. Stafford Borough Council have committed to carry out a textile collection from residents, if
required. This collection is an option for residents, alternatively you can continue to donate to your
own chosen charity.

Q. Can I put recycling inside the carrier bags?

A. We are pleased that we can now recycle carrier bags, however the bags will need to be empty to
prevent contamination issues at the sorting facility. Recycling can be taken to the blue bin in the
carrier bag but will then need to be emptied into the bin.

Q. Why are we only able to put these new items in the blue bin now?

A. The recycling collected in Stafford Borough will shortly be taken to a new state of the art facility
operated by Biffa. This new facility allows us to recycle more materials than we have been able to
accept previously.

Q. Will my caddy be emptied if it is on top of or beside the blue bin?

A. In addition to updated manual handling requirements, the crews are also only able to empty the
caddy if it is inside the blue bin as it would be classed as side waste if left outside the bin. The
reason that side waste is not collected from beside any type of bin is that the rounds are routed to
accommodate a certain capacity of material and to unload that material at the required facilities.
The implications of collecting additional waste from potentially 55,500 properties would have a
major impact on the collection rounds and their ability to complete them on the specified day.

Alternatively, any excess recycling can be taken to one of our Recycling Sites.

Q. Where does the recycling collected in Stafford Borough go to?

A. All recycling is collected from the kerbside by our contractor, Biffa Waste Services. Paper recycling
is transported directly to the UK paper mill for reprocessing. Co-mingled materials are taken to
Biffa local facility's for sorting and then sent on to UK reprocessors to be treated and prepared to be
made into new products.

Q. Are these changes going to cost money?

A. No, due to the use of the new Biffa facility it will not cost any additional money to collect these
additional items.

Q. My blue bin is quite full already, what if I can't fit any more items in?

A. Many of the new items introduced will flatten easily eg waxed cartons, foil, carrier bags and
cellophane. However, if you find that you still cannot accommodate the extra materials a visit can be
arranged by one of our waste management officers to assess the situation.

GENERAL FAQ'S

Q. Will labels and lids need to be taken off glass and plastic containers?

A. There is no need to remove labels. Please remove all lids; they can be placed separately in the
blue bin. Leaving the lids on causes vacuums inside the containers that make them difficult to
compact within the vehicle.

Q. Do items need to be cleaned out?

A. Please continue to rinse items out. When sorted these items can be stored for a number of days
before being reprocessed, rinsing items out prevents odours.

Q. Where do I leave the bin for collection - front or back?

A. All bins (green, blue and brown) will be collected from where your green bin/black bags are collected from at present.

Q. If a householder puts recyclable waste into the green bin by mistake will Biffa staff refuse
to empty the bin?

A. The recycling services that Stafford Borough Council offer are not compulsory and a green bin will
be emptied if it contains recyclable material. However, we would ask that all householders
consider using all of the bins available to them to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfill or
incineration.

Q. What is the best way to wrap up food waste when the household bin is taken on alternate
weeks?

A. Food waste can be contained in tied carrier bags and/or newspaper to prevent odours; bin bags
can also continue to be used in the green bin. Where possible, keep the green bin lid closed when
not in use.

Q. Can I receive an assisted collection but keep my green wheeled bin instead of swapping
to a black bin?

A. It is no longer a requirement to swap the green wheeled bin for a black dustbin when receiving an
assisted collection. All three bins (green, blue and brown) will be collected from your premises,
emptied and returned. However, black bins are still available should they be required.

Q. Is there a collection service available for incontinence products?

A. Yes, we are able to offer a weekly yellow sack collection for incontinence products. This service is
currently carried out on a Wednesday and bags should be left tied and visible by your doorstep for
7am. Replacement bags are left following collection. Your alternate weekly collection of the green
bin will continue as normal on the designated collection day. Please contact us to arrange this
service on 01785 619402.

Q. How can I dispose of old medicines?

A. Old medicines can be disposed of in the green bin, however it is recommended that old medicines
are taken to a pharmacy who will be able to arrange for their safe destruction.

More information on the services provided by Stafford Borough Council can be found in the Recycling and Waste Services Booklet.

Please note that the opening times for the Household Waste Recycling Centres at St Albans Road, Stafford and Beacon Road, Stone are not correct in this booklet due to changes made by Staffordshire County Council. The correct opening times can be viewed by following this link Recycling Centre Opening Times

To request a service or report a problem please use one of our Online Forms.

Refuse Collection Arrangements

To find out when your recycling and waste is due to be collected or what adjustments have been made for Bank Holidays please use the link below, which will take you to our postcode search. This will allow you to view the collection calendars specific to your premises.

Recycling and Waste Collection - Postcode Search

Contact

Tel: 01785 619402

E-mail: ehadmin@staffordbc.gov.uk

Write to/visit: Environmental and Health Services, Stafford Borough Council, Civic Centre, Riverside. ST16 3AQ