FAQs

Q. How will my Twin Bins be collected?
A. The bins will be collected from the edge of your property on alternate weeks: general rubbish in your grey bin one week and recyclables in the green bin the next. Your collection day will be the same each week. The bin must be at the edge of your property by 7am on the day of collection. Do not place your bin on the pavement or road.

Q. What if I can't fit all my rubbish in the bins?
A. If you cannot get all your recyclables in the green bin, please leave them neatly and securely beside it, in a cardboard box or clear plastic bag to prevent litter. However, any household rubbish left beside your grey bin will not be collected.

Q. My bin was left full. Why?
A. Do not cram your rubbish into your bins, or put so much in that the lids won't close. The bins are emptied mechanically, and if rubbish is so jammed in that it won't fall out, the bin will not be emptied. Or the bin may be 'contaminated' with waste that should not be in it, in which case the refuse collectors will leave a note asking you to remove the contamination - any items that cannot be recycled - by the next collection.  If you wish to have your bin emptied before the next scheduled collection we can arrange this, however there will be a one off charge for this service.  Please contact us on 0300 123 1163 for more information.

Q. What if I am disabled, elderly or infirm and cannot move a wheeled bin?
A. If you and all the other residents of your household are physically incapable of wheeling the bins out, call 0300 123 1163 to apply for an assisted collection. Assisted collections will not be given if it is simply inconvenient for you to wheel the bins to the edge of your property

Q. How much waste will a bin hold?
A. A 240-litre bin will hold the equivalent of about four or five full black sacks. A 140-litre bin will hold approximately two or three sacks' worth of waste.

Q. How big are the bins?
A. 240-litre bin is 590mm wide 740mm deep 1040mm high
     140-litre bin is 540mm wide 590mm deep 1070mm high

Q. What if I have nowhere to store the Twin Bins?
A. In such cases, for instance if you live in a flat, call our Customer Services Team on 0300 123 1163. NNDC will consider exempting you from the Twin Bins scheme (which would mean you carry on using sacks as before), or can arrange for large communal bins that can be used by you and your neighbours. Exemptions will not be given if it is simply inconvenient for you to have Twin Bins.

Q. How is ash collected?
A. Please place COLD ash in your grey household waste bin, but do ensure the bin is not so heavy that it cannot be moved.

Q. Why can't I recycle mixed plastics other than plastic bottles?
A. Recycling plastics in the UK can be expensive as there are limited markets for wide range of different materials. Why? Firstly, plastic is lightweight; so the cost of collecting plastics in rural areas is high. Secondly, common household products and packing are made from hundreds of different types of plastics, each of which would need to be separated before being sold for reprocessing. Norfolk councils have opted for the most cost effective and sustainable option - collecting plastic bottles, as most made from three common types of plastic making them easier and most cost effect to find a market for.

Q. Why can't I put shredded paper in my recycle bin?
A. Shredded paper can be recycled at your local paper banks located at supermarkets, schools, voluntary organisations and at the recycling centres. Shredded paper can also be home composted as it is great for mixing with damp materials, such as grass clippings, or it can be used for animal bedding. However, shredded paper can't go in your kerbside recycling collection bin, as the small pieces of paper are too difficult to separate from the other recyclables at the sorting facility. It is important to destroy personal details on documents before recycling, but instead of shredding the whole document, tear off and shred the section with your details on and recycle the rest.

If you have a garden bin contract with North Norfolk District Council your shredded paper can be put into the bin together with your garden waste.