Charnwood Borough Council - Leading in Leicestershire

What happens to the recycling material?

It gets hand sorted at a Materials Recycling Facility and is then sold on to merchants all over the country from where it gets recycled into new products.

Can I put shredded paper in the recycling bags?

Yes, this can go in the red bag to be recycled.

I have run out of sacks, how do I get some more?

You will get some more every six months, if you recycle a lot and have run out before your next delivery is due you can either call us on 01509 634563 or call into Southfields offices. In the villages, your local Parish Council may be able to supply small quantities to keep you going, see the link on our website.

What hours is the tip open?

All sites are open seven days a week, 8am-8pm (April-October) and 8am-6pm (November-March)

I've seen the green & red sacks being thrown into the back of a lorry and crushed. Why?

The bags are 'compacted' so that we can get more of them in the lorry before it is full. The material is then sorted further along in the process.

How much does the recycling and refuse service cost as my Council Tax rates are high?

For example a band D property in Charnwood charge is £1208.98 for 2006. This raises very high expectations of the refuse and recycling service which actually costs each household only £47.09. Most of the remainder (nearly £900) goes to Leicestershire County Council for Education, Social Services, and Highways. About £170 goes to the Emergency Services, and the Parish and Town Councils take an average of £40. We are always striving to deliver value for money but please don’t think of it as costing you £1000 or more for refuse and recycling, it doesn’t.

I am not able to put vegetable peelings and organic kitchen waste etc into the Brown Garden Waste bin, so where can these go?

Into a Compost Bin which can be obtained from Leicestershire Waste Partnership who currently have an offer on two different sized bins to keep in your garden. Call 0845 0732001 or order online at http://www.recyclenow.com/compost/.

• Composting Bins (PDF Document 510.47 Kb.)

  Details on composting bins including order form.

Where does the glass end up, that we put in the box for collection?

The kerb side collection of glass is taken to a re-processor, where it is crushed, sorted through magnets and then placed into a furnace to be melted down into new glass. This process can take as little as an hour before it is a new bottle again! Did you know recycling one glass bottle or jar saves enough energy to power your TV for one and a half hours?

What do we do if we can't fit all our rubbish into the black bin, as the bin lid now has to be completely closed?

Where family size (five or more in the household) means that it is difficult to manage with a standard size bin, additional bin capacity may be allowed, anyone in this situation should contact us. Any waste left at the side of the bin, or bags that are causing the lid to be open will not be taken. If you have excess waste due to a clear out etc. you can take the waste to your local Household waste site.

How can I get a smaller bin?

Anyone can have a 140 litre wheelie bin if they want one. Call us on 01509 634563.

Why do CBC charge for bulky collections and garden wheelie bins when other councils do not?

We are not obliged to provide these services for free as a Council. All the other Councils in Leicestershire charge for bulky waste collections, Charnwood being the last one to introduce a charge.

What will happen if non recyclable rubbish is found in my green/red sack or box for glass?

It will not be collected as we can only sort and recycle those items that are listed on the outside of the bag. Contaminated bags will have to be re-sorted by the householder before collection.

I am a business how do I dispose of my waste?

You need to ring any of the commercial waste contractors and arrange a contract.

Why do I have to put rubbish out by 7am?

Because the collection starts at 7am the drivers do not always follow the same route.

If you miss my bin, when will you come back to collect it?

We aim to revisit your house if we’ve missed your bin within one working day. If calls are received by 12noon we will normally return the same day.

I understand that we have to reach 36% household recycling by 2006, but will we have to have a new system to meet even higher targets by 2010 and beyond?

Quite possibly. The volume of waste is not static – it is ever increasing throughout the economic cycle. Legislation linked to the use of landfill is likely to get more demanding and all Councils will probably be called upon to reduce the use of landfill.

I live in a terraced property where should I present my wheelie bin & recycling box/bags?

For terraced properties with no front gardens wheelie bins (and recyclables) should be presented for collection:

• at an unlocked back gate (or gateway) which opens onto the alleyway.
• if the householder wishes to keep the back gate locked it should be presented on the alleyway side of that gate.
• the contractor should return the wheeled bin (or box) to wherever it was presented.
• if for whatever reason wheelie bins end up on the street they should be returned to the back garden as soon as possible after collect.