Domestic Bins

What Goes in the Black Bin or Sack?

Black bins or sacks can be used for household waste which can't be recycled.

PLEASE NOTE: Low energy light bulbs should not be placed in the wheelie bin, OR in the recycling sacks. Instead they should be taken to a Household Recycling and Waste Site (tip). These are located at Railway Terrace, Loughborough, Hathern Road, Shepshed or Granite Way, Mountsorrel. Any questions about disposal at these sites should be directed to Leicestershire County Council, who manage the sites. For more information about low energy light bulbs, including what to do if a bulb breaks, visit the DEFRA website.

How Can I Get a Wheeled Bin?

Wheeled bins are issued to most properties within the Borough. The bin remains the property of the Council and must be left with the property when you move house. Properties without wheeled bins can request one free of charge (see below). The bin must be stored off the public highway when not presented for collection.

If you require a black wheeled bin, please contact Environmental Services.

If your bin is broken through general wear and tear, or damage has occurred during collection, the Council will repair or replace the bin free of charge. Please contact us to report a damaged bin. However, if a wheeled bin has been damaged through misuse, a charge will be made for its repair or replacement.

You may want to mark your bin in some way to identify it from your neighbours. If you do so, please take care not to damage the bin. It is your responsibility to keep your wheeled bin clean by cleaning it yourself (a rinse every month or so is usually more than sufficient), or by contacting a private specialist company – check the local telephone directory for details.

Wheelie Bin Dimensions: volume 180ltr, height 1075mm, width 485mm, depth 550mm.

How to Avoid Getting Maggots in Your Bin.

High temperatures speed up the life cycle of the house fly, which sometimes makes them more noticeable during the summer months.

Organisms, like flies have always been attracted to household refuse, even in the days of black sack collections. However, if you follow a few simple rules the chances of maggots or flies in your bin will be minimised. Firstly, always wrap any waste food in something airtight (most plastic bags will do, preferably squeezing the air out). Make sure you don't leave food waste hanging around inside the house, this will allow flies time to land and lay eggs on it before you have even placed it in your bin. Keep the bin lid shut, unless placing waste inside, and try and keep the bin in the shade if possible.

How Can I Get Black Sacks?

In agreement with the Council, black sacks are supplied free of charge to households that do not have provision for a wheeled bin. The bags will be delivered on a like-for-like basis. Please see the Exempt Properties page for instruction on how to correctly use your black sacks. If you are currently using black sacks but would like to have a wheeled bin instead, please contact Environmental Services for further advice.

Residents using a communal bin will need to provide their own sacks.