Blue Bins for kerbside recycling

In June 2008 we introduced the combining of our kerbside recycling material which means you no longer need to separate your glass, and at the same time introduced an optional blue bin which can be purchased to replace the need for green bags in most cases.

The cost of a 140 litre blue bin is £26.10, or for a 240 litre blue bin the cost is £28.15.

You can continue to use green bags which are free regardless of whether or not you decide to purchase a blue bin; if you recycle a large amount you can still put green bags out with your blue bin if you wish.

If you would like to express your interest in purchasing a blue 240ltr bin, again please contact us.

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.

Answers to some questions frequently asked about blue bins

Blue bins must only be used for recycling materials, if a blue bin contains household waste or garden waste it will not be emptied and you will have to remove the contaminants and place the bin out on the next scheduled collection or take the contents to the Civic Amenity Site on the Manners Industrial Estate in Ilkeston.

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 blue 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.

To prevent items placed in your blue bin from smelling it is best to wash or rinse out the items. 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 Government sets statutory recycling targets for all councils because the amount of biodegradable waste going to landfill must be reduced simply because we are running out of places suitable for landfill.

We are charged for every tonne of waste that goes to landfill, so recycling helps to keep overall costs down.

On collection day, place your blue bin at the edge of your property where it joins the footpath or road, closest to where the refuse vehicle passes.

The blue bin must be placed out for collection by 7am.

Due to breakdowns, roadworks etc we cannot guarantee your collection will take place at the same time every fortnight.

Blue bins should be placed out for collection on the same day as your brown bin.

Your recycling blue bin is collected on alternate weeks with your black household bin being collected the following week.

What can be recycled in the blue bin scheme?

ü Plastics

Pop and squash bottles, cooking oil, shampoo and toiletries, milk bottles, household cleaner and fabric conditioner bottles, any plastic container bearing the recycling triangle with either 1, 2 or 3.

ü Aluminium & steel cans

Soft drink cans, alcohol cans, tinned food cans, pet food cans, empty aerosols and Clean foil & foil containers.

ü Paper & card

Paper, junk mail, cereal boxes, card, magazines, catalogues, newspapers, envelopes, telephone directories and wallpaper (Not painted).

ü Glass

Bottles and jars.

We cannot take any of the following items in your blue recycling bin

û Polystyrene

û Shredded Paper

û Plastic bags or black bin bags

û Mixed plastics (i.e. yoghurt pots, cling film, plant pots or children’s toys)

û Tetrapaks (i.e. long life milk and juice cartons)

û Clothing, textiles and shoes

û Garden or kitchen waste/food waste

û Pyrex or window glass

û Nappies or other clinical waste

û Batteries

û Christmas wrapping paper

û Building materials

Exempts

If you live alone and cannot put your bin or bags out yourself, we provide an 'exempt' collection which means the refuse collectors will fetch your bin or bags from your property and return it after emptying.

All residents who qualify for our 'exempt' service are entitled to a free 140ltr blue bin, if you think you may be entitled please contact us.

If you are under 70 years of age you would need to provide a doctors certificate to prove you are entitled to the service. For more information concerning this or any other issue relating to our services, please call our customer service advisors on 0845 907 2244 who will be happy to help.

Contact details

If you would like to purchase a blue bin or have any further questions, please contact our Customer Service Advisors on 0845 907 2244 or email enquiries@erewash.gov.uk.

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

Our minicom number is 0115 931 6056 (available during normal office hours).