Every resident should already be aware of the rules regarding the communal bin use and recycling, but to clarify these are the instructions we’ve been given by East Herts Council’s Waste Management Team. Also READ the labels on the bins which as specific to their usage!
Black Bins – Non-Recycling Waste
The black bins are specifically for non-recycling household waste. This can also include food waste, plastic bags, polythene, small amounts of garden waste. For larger items and buildings work waste, you will need to take these items directly to a recycling centre. In NO circumstances are you allowed to leave these items in the bin areas.
Blue Bins – Mixed Recycling Waste
The blue bins labelled mixed recycling waste are for general recycling waste. Check all items have the recycling logo on them. We do ask that you rinse any items that have food or dirt on them before recycling them. Please compact and flatten any cardboard boxes and crush your drink cans. You must NOT put any non-recycling waste into these bins and that includes plastic bags! Please do not put paper into the mixed recycling bin.
Blue Bins – Paper Recycling Waste
We also have 1 paper recycling blue bin in each of our bin areas which is specifically for paper NOT CARDBOARD OR PLASTIC BAGS!
Collections
The non-recycling black bins are collected every week. The recycling bins are collected every 2 weeks.
Important Rules when using the Bins
The PAPER recycling bins should only contain paper and magazines, NOT cardboard or plastic bags!
The MIXED recycling bins should only contain recyclable waste which is specified on the notice displayed on the front of the bin. You should NOT put polystyrene, plastic bags, plastic film wrap, crisp packets etc into the mixed recycling bins as this contaminates it. Please compact cardboard boxes. Please leave the bin area in a clean and tidy condition.
We are aware of the main offenders of this as they are leaving address labels on the items they leave in the incorrect bins. Unfortunately if this continues we will be forced to pass these details on to East Herts Council as they have previously complained to us about the regular contamination issues they encounter.
What you can put in the blue mixed recycling bins:
- Aerosol cans
- Aluminium foil
- Biscuit tins
- Butter tubs
- Cardboard (no sticky tape or labels)
- Cartons
- Cereal boxes
- Drink cans
- Egg cartons – cardboard
- Egg cartons – plastic
- Foil
- Food tins
- Fruit punnets
- Glass – bottles and jars
- Ice-cream containers
- Jars
- Kitchen roll tubes
- Margarine tubs
- Microwave meal trays
- Milk bottles – plastic
- Plastic bottles – put the lids in separately
- Plastic plant/flower pots
- Plastic sweet containers/tubs
- Plastic food trays
- Tetra Packs
- Tin Foil
- Toilet roll tubes
- Toothpaste tubes
- Washing powder boxes
- Yoghurt pots
What you can put in your paper recycling:
Please only put the following items in the blue paper recycling bins:
- Brochures
- Catalogues
- Directories
- Envelopes – white only (please remove plastic windows)
- Junk mail
- Magazines/ Newspapers
- Shredded paper
- Yellow Pages
What you should NOT put in any of the blue bins:
- Caddy liners without the seedling logo
- Cardboard with sticky tape/labels
- Carpet
- Cat Litter
- Household waste
- Plant post and planters
- Polystyrene
- Soft Plastics such as carrier bags
- Soil
- Turf
*Please note that you shouldn’t put soft plastic in your blue lidded bin, this should be placed in your black bin.*
Some examples of soft plastic include:
- all plastic carrier bags from supermarkets and shops
- black bags and plastic liners
- food bags e.g. cereal packets, vegetable/fruit/bread bags etc
- film plastic packaging on food punnets and meat trays
- cling film/shrink wrap
- film wrap on magazines, postal packaging etc
Contact Us
To contact us with any issues you have regarding bins and recycling, please use the form below: (Please add help@leatclose.org.uk to your email address book otherwise our reply may not get back to you.)
Alternatively email us at: help@leatclose.org.uk