A -Z of Services

Frequently Asked Questions

What does alternate weekly collection mean?

It means household residual (landfill) waste will be collected one week, and recycling materials the next on a continuous basis i.e;

Week 1	Residual Waste	Green/Grey bin
Week 2	Recyclates	Blue bin, Brown bin
Week 3	Residual Waste	Green/Grey bin
Week 4	Recyclates	Blue bin, Brown bin

You will get detailed information about the scheme and collection dates when the scheme comes to your area.

Residents currently receive six collections of waste each four week period and this will still be the case, although we will revise how we collect your waste as shown in the table above.

In introducing this new system your current collection day may change so please pay close attention to your calendar when it is delivered. Residents are encouraged to come to local events that will be organised, close to the time of service change and talk to Council representatives about the new service if they have any questions.

Doesn’t the Council have to collect my waste every week by law?

The Council has a duty to make arrangements to collect household waste. The law does not specify how these arrangements must be made. Each household continues to receive a weekly collection although the materials that are collected will alternate each week. One week Residual waste, the next week Dry Recyclables and Garden & Food waste is collected and so on.

Your bins are still being collected weekly but this service will permit householders to recycle more of their waste.

How do you know the new alternate weekly refuse collection scheme will work?

Research has shown that where similar systems are available then recycling performance can be increased by 83%. We estimate that an additional 6,000 tonnes of waste will be recycled each year by adopting this system

What can I put in my Blue Bin?

The following materials will be accepted: newspapers, catalogues, brochures, magazines, junk mail, telephone directories, envelopes with window removed, cardboard including packaging with no food residue on it, tetra-pak cartons, tins and cans and all plastic bottles and containers.

What should I NOT put in my Blue Bin?

We will NOT accept: plastic bags, cardboard with food residue, kitchen waste, garden waste, plastic packaging and residual waste.

What happens if my Blue Bin is full before my collection day?

Excess dry recyclate can be taken to one of the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres, or Local Recycling Points. If you regularly produce excess dry recyclate you may request one additional blue bin free of charge.

What can I put in my Brown Bin?

The following materials will be accepted: All food waste (e.g. tea bags, egg shells, bread, cooked & uncooked meat scraps etc) fruit and vegetable peelings, garden waste such as weeds, plants, flowers, small branches, grass cuttings, hedge cuttings, pruning’s. The Council will supply you with a small kitchen caddy which will permit residents to collect their food waste before placing in the brown bin.

What should I NOT put in my Brown Bin?

We will NOT accept: stones and rubble, plastic bags, old garden tools, animal faeces, soil, turf, residual waste.

What happens if my Brown Bin is full before my collection day?

Excess garden waste can be taken to one of the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres. If you regularly produce excess organic waste (garden and food waste) you may request one additional brown bin free of charge.

What can I put in my Residual household waste bin?

You can put household waste that cannot be recycled using your new blue and brown recycling bins, into your residual waste bin.

What should I NOT put in to my residual waste bin?

Please do not put any recyclable or compostable material in the residual bin.

What happens if my residual household waste bin is full before my collection day?

Ensure that all recyclables which can reasonably be recycled are placed within the appropriate containers. This will give you more space in your residual bin. However, excess waste can be taken to one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres or placed in the residual waste bin when it has been emptied. Excess waste placed at the side of bins, will no longer be uplifted. Overfilled bins with bin lids that cannot be closed will not be emptied.

When will my bins be uplifted?

We will service your residual waste bin, blue bin and brown every two weeks on your scheduled collection day.

I am concerned that my residual household waste bin will smell if not emptied weekly!

Securely tie non-recyclable waste in bags before putting them in your bin. If possible store your bin in a shaded area.

I am concerned that this service will mean that vermin will be attracted to my bin!

An independent report indicates that this has not been experienced by other authorities.

You should ensure that your bin lid is kept closed at all times

Can I place extra bags out as side waste?

Excess waste will not be uplifted. Excess recyclate can be taken to one of the Council's Household Waste Recycling Centres (See link)

Can I get assistance?

Residents of West Dunbartonshire who have difficulty in moving their wheeled bin to the nearest collection point may apply to have an assisted pullout. Residents have to apply for this service and have their application supported by a GP/Health Worker/Home Carer.

I don’t need blue or brown bins because I don’t produce much waste for recycling!

It doesn’t matter if you do not produce a lot of garden or food waste, cans, cardboard, paper or plastic bottles, as you do not need to put the bins out for every collection. Please note if you do not want to participate in the new service your residual waste bin will still be collected every two weeks.

Why can’t you collect my residual waste bin every week?

Your waste is still being collected weekly but we now collect different materials on alternate weeks. The alternative to this would be a substantial increase in the number of refuse collection vehicles and staff required. This would not only be a major additional cost to local council tax payers, but would also have a significant environmental impact in terms of increased carbon emissions.

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