Frequently asked questions
The majority of residents in Shropshire have alternate weekly collections, using separate wheeled bins for residual refuse and garden waste, and boxes for recyclable materials – paper, cans and foil, and glass bottles and jars.
Some residents have collections using black bags and do not receive the full range of kerbside recycling services, although the intention is to minimise the number of people that this relates to.
For more information about your kerbside collection service, please go to the 'kerbside recycling services' page, call 0845 678 9009 or email customer.service@shropshire.gov.uk.
What day is my collection?
To check your collection days for residual refuse or recyclable materials, ring 0845 678 9009.
We hope that we will soon be able to provide an on-line system for checking collection days.
What time should I put my refuse or recyclable materials out?
To ensure collection refuse and recyclable waste must be available for collection by 7am on the scheduled day, at the normal collection point. It should not be put out any earlier than the previous evening.
Where should the refuse and recyclable waste be put out for collection?
Containers should be left at the edge of the property where it meets the adopted highway. If you live on an unadopted road then the normal collection point is at the nearest accessible adopted highway, unless agreed otherwise.
Does waste have to be in the containers supplied?
Yes. This applies to both the residual waste and recycling service. ‘Side waste’ (extra rubbish outside the bin) and overloaded or contaminated bins – such as recycling boxes and garden waste bins containing the wrong materials - will not be collected. Wheeled bin lids must be closed.
Assisted collections
Assisted (‘backdoor’) household waste and recycling collections can be offered to residents unable to take their bin, recycling box or bag to the kerbside collection point for reasons of ill health or disability, provided that there is no able-bodied person over the age of 18 permanently resident at the property.
The following rules apply:
(1) The containers must be available for collection from 7.00 am at the agreed safe location and will be emptied and returned to this point.
(2) Collection staff are not authorised to enter the residents house.
(3) Wheeled bin lids must be closed and ‘side waste’ (waste outside the collection container) will not be collected.
(4) Shropshire Waste Partnership reserves the right to make further enquiries as to residents entitlement to the service and to withdraw the service if found to be unnecessary.
What materials can’t be put out for collection in the household waste bin or bag?
- Any items too large or too heavy to go in the wheeled bin or sacks provided.
- Hazardous materials – e.g chemicals, asbestos, car batteries, vehicle oil, gas bottles.
- Fluorescent tubes.
- Household fixtures and fittings.
- Building rubble.
- Car parts.
- Hot ashes.
- Garden waste.
- Waste from any business.
How to get rid of large items, furniture etc that won’t go in the bin
There are several possible options:
(1) Contact the local charity furniture scheme, which collect usable furniture, electrical items etc for donation to the needy.
(2) Advertise or join a waste exchange scheme such as ‘Freecycle’ – someone else might want the item.
(3) Take the waste to the nearest Household Recycling Centre (entry permits are required for commercial type vehicles and trailers). Note that if someone is paid to transport waste of any type then it is defined as trade waste and cannot be taken to a HRC.
(4) A supervised amenity skip or refuse collection vehicle is provided at some locations in South Shropshire and North Shropshire Districts, periodically. Please refer to the schedules for more information.
(5) A bulky household waste collection service is available on payment. For more information about this service, including details of charges and application procedure please follow the link or ring 0845 678 9009.
How to get rid of hazardous household waste.
Facilities are provided at the Household Recycling Centres for the disposal of hazardous materials such as household and garden chemicals, paints, gas bottles, vehicle oil.
If you wish to dispose of household asbestos waste (eg corrugated asbestos roofing sheets) please telephone 01743 210705.
Do you collect plastic for recycling?
Recycling banks for plastic bottles are provided at a number of locations, including the household recycling centres. Many supermarkets also accept waste plastic bags for recycling.
We plan to introduce kerbside collections of plastic bottles throughout the Shropshire Waste Partnership area by 2010.
Unfortunately other types of plastic, such as food trays, yoghurt pots and cling film cannot currently be recycled.
Do you provide services to get rid of garden waste?
Most Shropshire residents have a fortnightly wheeled bin service to collect compostable garden waste – grass cuttings, prunings, leaves, weeds and flowers etc.
Garden waste can also be taken to a household recycling centres.
We also promote home composting – follow the link for more information and details of the subsidised compost bin scheme.
