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Green box recycling scheme FAQs

Answers

  • Why should I bother recycling?

    Recycling saves energy and helps preserve natural resources for longer. It also helps keep waste management cost to a minimum as landfilling waste is very expensive. The Government also fine us for the amount of waste we send to landfill. People who don't recycle are therefore not helping to keep council tax costs as low as possible.

    More information about why we should recycle

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  • Does everyone get a box for recycling?

    Every household has been issued with a box except apartments and flats with communal waste storage. These types of properties have been given a mini recycling centre. If you don't have a box please contact our Streets and Open Spaces service and we'll deliver a new one to you.

    Recycling in flats

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  • What can I put in my box?

    Paper - including magazines, telephone directories, Yellow Pages, catalogues etc. Glass bottles and jars. Metal drink cans, foil, food tins - preferably washed and where possible squashed. Shoes - tied and in pairs and textiles. Thin printed cardboard such as toothpaste boxes and ready meal covers.

    what goes in the box

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  • Why won't you collect plastics in the green box?

    Due to the nature of plastics, being both lightweight and bulky, we are unable to collect plastics via our kerbside collection scheme and to include it we would need to double our lorries and change the collection rounds which we do not have the funding to do so at the moment as this would be in excess of £1 million, an increase of over 2% on your council tax alone. We also analysis the composition of the waste collected in North Somerset and target those elements that make up the largest parts, currently plastic accounts for only 7% of total waste

    Plastic recycling

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  • When will my box be collected?

    We collect every two weeks on the same day of the week. Please put your box on the edge of your property nearest the road by 7.30 am on the day of collection. We have issued collection calendars to all households but if you have lost yours you can check on this website or call us and we can send one out to you.

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  • Can I have a lid for my box?

    We do not supply lids for the recycling boxes. This is because it would cost more.

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  • What if I am disabled or too elderly or frail to put my box out for collection?

    We can arrange for you to have an assisted collection and we will get an area officer to come and visit you to arrange the point of collection.

    Streets and Open Spaces

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  • Can I put out more recyclables than will fit in the box?

    Yes - put each type of material in a separate bag (NOT BLACK) next to the box apart from glass. Please keep all glass inside the box.

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