We're changing the way that household waste is collected at a number of properties in York, moving from black sacks to wheelie bin collections.
About 5,500 properties will be included in the move from bags to bins. We'll write to all affected properties directly with full details of the upcoming changes.
Wheelie bins have a number of benefits over black sack collections, as they:
- keep waste secure
- stop pests and vermin from getting in
- improve hygiene
- reduce litter
Wheelie bins are also safer for our staff, as they need less manual handling and so reduce waste-related injuries.
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Black bin delivery
Each household will receive one 180 litre wheeled bin as standard, which will usually hold 3 black bin bags (60 litre bags).
Households with 5 or more occupants can request a larger bin during the rollout by emailing Waste, Highways and Environmental Services. Include "Bags to Bins" in your email subject.
If you refuse the free bin offered as part of the Bags to Bins Scheme, any future requests will be subject to our usual charges for replacement waste containers.
Any requests for larger bins made after the first round of the Bags to Bins Scheme has finished will incur charges.
Your bin will be delivered to the front edge of your property. You're encouraged to label your bin with your house number.
If your bin is lost, damaged or stolen, replacements will be issued according to our policy. We will only replace damaged containers free of charge if the damage was reported by our crews at the time of collection.
Only bins provided us can be used to present your household waste. If you already have a council bin and so do not need a new one, please let us know by emailing Waste, Highways and Environmental Services. Include "Bags to Bins" in your email subject.
Refunds will not be provided for bins purchased from the council prior to the Bags to Bins Scheme, and we will not collect unwanted bins.
We'll no longer collect waste presented in black sacks, except where there has been a known issue with missed collections, leading to excess waste.
Black bin collections
Bins should usually be presented at the front edge of your property. If this is not the case, we'll advise you of any alternate collection point.
To ensure collection you must put your household waste out between 7.00pm on the day before collection, and 7.00am on your collection day. Do not put your rubbish out at any other time.
Only 1 bin will be able to be presented for collection per household. You should not present any more waste than will fit in your bin. Bins must be presented with lids closed and any black sacks presented next to your bin will not be collected.
There will be no change to your collection dates, and household waste collections will continue every fortnight. Check your collection dates with the waste collection calendar.
Bins must be returned to your property boundary as soon as possible after collection, ideally by 7.00pm on the day of collection. Abandoned bins will be removed and any request for a replacement bin will be subject to our usual charges for replacement waste containers.
If you feel you'll have difficulty presenting a wheelie bin for collection, eligible households can apply for assisted collections.
If you already have assisted collections, we'll continue to collect your bin from the agreed location.
Missed collections
You should report missed waste collections within 24 hours by contacting Waste, Highways and Environmental Services. Missed assisted collections should be reported within 5 working days.
Do not report missed collections before 4.00pm on the scheduled collection day.
If you report a missed bin, we'll collect extra bags of household waste during your next scheduled collection. You can put out additional bags equivalent to your usual bin size, for example, a 180 litre bin will usually hold 3 black bin bags (60 litre bags).
We'll only revisit to collect your household waste if you receive assisted collections.
Garden waste collections
The Bags to Bins Scheme is not connected to the Garden Waste Subscription Scheme.
The council introduced a garden waste subscription scheme in August 2024.
If you don't currently have garden waste collections at your property, you will not be able to subscribe for garden waste collections at this time.
We'll aim to expand the garden waste service into new areas each year.
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