Recycling information

• Recycling links and useful numbers
• Information about the forthcoming implementation of blue bins.

At the end of July we will be implementing blue bins for recycling only. Residents will have the option to purchase a blue bin at a cost of £25 each but anyone wishing to continue using Erewash recycling bags which are free of charge will be able to do so. 

If you would like to express your interest in purchasing a blue 240 ltr bin please see the contact details or use the contact form. Both can be found at the bottom of this page.

All residents who qualify for our 'exempt' service are entitled to a free 140 ltr blue bin, if you think you may be entitled please use our contact details at the bottom of this page to gain more information.

If you decide to purchase a blue bin, when it is delivered a comprehensive leaflet will also be delivered detailing what you need to do in order to get the best from the service.

Residents can now mix glass in with the other recycling materials whether they are using Erewash recycling bags or a blue bin.

Just what can be recycled in the green bags/blue bin scheme?

• drink cans
• food tins
• plastic bottles
• pet food tins
• clean foil only
• clean foil containers only
• aerosols (empty) 
• paper and card
• newspapers
• magazines
• junk mail
• brochures
• catalogues
• toilet roll tubes
• greeting cards
• pizza box (clean)
• ready meal sleeves
• yellow pages/telephone directories
• envelopes
• cereal boxes  
• corrugated card
• glass bottles/glass jars

Please fill each bag or the bin with a mixture of paper*, cardboard, plastic bottles tins and glass.

* Due to the weight, bags should never be filled with paper or magazines alone; if you have more paper please split it between the bags and fill the rest of the space in the bag with cardboard, plastic, tins and glass. It is very important that all recycling material is placed out in either a blue bin or Erewash recycling bags only.

Where and when should I put my bags/blue bin out for collection?

On collection day, place your bags/blue bin at the edge of your property where it joins the footpath or road, closest to where the refuse vehicle passes. The bags/blue bin must be placed out for collection by 7 a.m. Due to breakdowns, roadworks etc we cannot guarantee your collection will take place at the same time every fortnight.

If you live alone and cannot put your recycling bags/blue bin out yourself, we will provide an 'exempt' collection which means the recycling collectors will fetch the bags/blue bin from your property and return them after they have been emptied.  If you are under 70 years of age you will need to provide a doctors certificate to prove you are entitled to the service. For more information please contact us, details on how to do this are at the bottom of this page.  

Erewash recycling bags/blue bins should be placed out for collection on the same day as your brown bin. (The only exception to this rule is for residents who live in Ockbrook) Your recycling bags/blue bin are collected on alternate weeks with your black household bin being collected the following week.

Answers to some questions frequently asked about green bag recycling

Green recycling bags/blue bins are often contaminated with non-recyclables such as nappies or food waste and if this happens they will not be collected. The offending items will need to be removed and the bags/bin will have to be placed out for your next scheduled collection, or you may take the contents to one of the many recycling sites around the borough. (see the Recycling sites in Erewash link below) 

Some houses have 'open plan' gardens and during high winds the recycling bags are prone to blowing away. To help prevent this problem you can place a large plastic bottle full of water out at the side of your recycling bags and once the collectors have emptied the recycling bags they will place the bottle inside the bags to hold them down. Some residents prefer to place a small stake with a chain and dog clip attached to it in their garden so the collectors can attach the bag handles to it after they have emptied them. (The stake should be placed a few metres away from the pavement or road to prevent an accident if someone trips or falls near your property)

To prevent items placed in your green recycling bags/blue bin from smelling they need to be washed or rinsed out. The 'greenest' and most economical way of doing this is to wash or rinse them in the washing up bowl before you throw the water away.

The recycling centres we use at the moment can only take plastic bottles/cartons with the numbers 1, 2, or 3 in the recycling triangle which can be found on the base on the container.

The Government sets statutory recycling targets for all Councils because the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill must be reduced. Erewash Borough Council is charged for every tonne of waste that goes to landfill, so recycling helps to keep overall costs down.

For more information go to, recycling-guide.org.

Recycling sites around the Borough Recycling sites in Erewash

Contact details

If you are unsure if something can be recycled or not, please contact our Customer Service Advisors on 0845 907 2244 or e-mail contactcentre@erewash.gov.uk

If you would prefer to send us a fax, the number is 0115 931 6079

For the hearing impaired our minicom number is 0115 931 6056 (available during normal office hours)