Refuse collection - Black Bins

• Download the North Zone Collection Calendar
• Download the South Zone Collection Calendar

Ways to reduce your waste

If all possible recycling is undertaken it will greatly reduce what enters your black bin and therefore reduce the amount of waste going to landfill, it will also increase recycling.

Here are a few simple ideas to reduce general waste.

Where should I place my bin for collection?

On collection day, place your bin at the edge of your property where it joins the path or road, this must be closest to where the refuse vehicle passes. It must be out for 7am as we cannot state a time of collection, only a day.

If you live alone and cannot put your bin out yourself, we can provide an 'exempt' collection service which means the refuse collectors will fetch your bin from your property and return it after emptying. 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 call our customer service advisors on 0845 907 2244.

Additional services

Extra capacity

Households with six or more permanent residents may have an extra 140 litre bin for household waste, households with eight or more permanent residents are entitled to an extra 240 litre bin. Please contact our customer service advisors for more details.

Answers to common questions asked about the black bin service

If you put your black bin out for collection for 7am and it has not been emptied this may be because either the lid is up or the bin is too heavy.

In either case please correct the problem and place the the bin out for the next scheduled collection in two weeks.

If you cannot manage until your next collection you may take the contents to the Civic Amenity site on Manners Industrial Estate in Ilkeston on 0115 944 0105 for more details or contact our customer service advisors to arrange for a 'bulk' collection for which a charge will be made.

Occasionally, the refuse collectors have to change their route which means they may arrive earlier than residents are used to.

It is not wise to place your bin out after 7am. If the usual starting point is blocked due to roadworks, accidents etc, your area may have to be done first. The refuse vehicle will not return and you will need to wait for the next scheduled collection or take it to the Civic Amenity site in Ilkeston call 0115 944 0105 for more details or contact our customer service advisors to arrange for a 'bulk' collection for which a charge will be made.

Some properties may from time to time be missed due to bad weather, roadworks, breakdowns etc. If this happens please present your bin the next working day for 7am as these will take priority.

The black bin is collected on a fortnightly basis throughout the year. When brown bins stop for the winter, black bins and green bags continue to be collected alternately.

Bin Hygiene

All waste that is placed in your bin needs to be placed in a bin liner or similar bag to help keep your bin clean and free from smells and/or maggots. 

Particular attention needs to be taken when throwing away left over or unused food. Wrapping the waste food in a few sheets of newspaper first, followed by an old carrier bag before placing it in a sealed bin liner will stop the food smelling and attracting flies.

If the flies cannot get to the food you should not get maggots. If flies can gain access to your kitchen bin, make sure before you throw the bag in the bin that it is sealed firmly. This will stop maggots contaminating the rest of the waste in the bin.

Waste and recycling basic specification

• If, due to the type of property you live in, you have no choice but to place your bin on the pavement, please place it as close to your property as possible so as not to obstruct access for disabled people or pushchairs.
• Please place your bin out by 7am on your collection day.
• Please return the bin to its normal storage point as soon as possible. Bins left out on the street can be an obstruction as well as being unsightly and vulnerable to vandalism. If the bin causes access problems you may also be fined. 
• Your bin will not be collected if it contains building rubble or heavy items, as this can cause injury to the collectors, and/or the vehicle and lifting equipment. 
• Only waste contained within your bin, with a closed lid will be taken. No additional bags of side waste will be taken.
• If you put your black bin out for 7am on collection day and it was not emptied, please contact us, our refuse operatives keep a 'drivers log' which details problems such as non-presented, access problems, side waste etc. If your property is not marked down for any reason we will return as soon as possible. 

Damaged bins

Residents will be required to pay £30(vat inclusive) for a replacement 240ltr bin if the damage was not caused by the collection crew, vehicle or fair wear and tear due to the age of the bin.

This charge does not mean you own the bin, the bin remains the property of Erewash Borough Council. The fee is to cover administration costs and the cost of the replacement bin. A replacement 140ltr bin would cost £26(vat inclusive) 

Hazardous waste

Low energy light bulbs and fluorescent lights contain a small amount of mercury and are therefore classed as hazardous waste, these should be taken to the Civic Amenity Site on the Manners Industrial Estate in Ilkeston to be disposed of properly, they should not be placed in the household waste bin.

If you break a bulb the official advice from the Department of the Environment recommend you vacate the room for at least 15 minutes before cleaning up the broken bulb with a broom or a damp cloth whilst wearing rubber gloves before placing it in a sealed plastic bag. Do not use a vacuum cleaner and care must be taken to not inhale the dust.

Contact details

If you are new in the area and you don't know your usual collection day or you would like further information on refuse collection, please contact us on 0845 907 2244 or email us at enquiries@erewash.gov.uk.

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

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