Bin collections in bad weather
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What happens to bin collections in snow and ice?
When there is snow or icy conditions, our bin lorries (also called refuse collection vehicles) may not be able to reach some streets safely. This can cause delays or missed collections.
- Check for updates on our council service disruptions page.
- If your bin is missed, please bag up any extra rubbish and leave it next to your bin on your next scheduled collection day.
- If the weather improves and you can travel safely, you can take your waste and recycling to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre.
If your street remains blocked for more than a week, you can request gritting. Please note: we cannot guarantee that every road will be cleared, especially smaller side streets and back lanes.
Why collections stop when it snows
Our bin lorries are large and heavy. If roads are icy or untreated, they can become dangerous for our crews and other road users. If a lorry gets stuck, it can block the road and take a long time to recover, causing further delays.
What do bin crews do if they can’t collect?
When collections are paused due to bad weather, our staff help with:
- gritting and clearing snow by hand
- supporting key locations such as:
- sheltered housing
- hospitals
- GP surgeries
Why we can’t collect from icy streets
Safety is our top priority. Bin lorries are very heavy and can slide or get stuck on untreated roads. Recovering a stuck vehicle takes time and specialist equipment, which can delay collections for other areas.
Are some areas more affected than others?
Yes. Bradford Council treats around 70% of roads, but not all streets can be cleared.
- Streets like cul-de-sacs, back lanes, or unadopted roads may not be accessible.
- Rural areas often face more severe weather and are a lower priority for gritting, so collections there may be delayed longer than in urban areas.
My road is clear – why haven’t you collected my bin?
We try to stick to our regular schedule as much as possible. When collections are missed, we catch up where we can.
- We can’t always give an exact date for missed collections.
- Please check the council service disruptions page or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) for updates.
Missed bins often mean more rubbish to collect. Our lorries make regular trips to Waste Transfer Stations in Bradford and Keighley, and extra rubbish means more trips — which can slow down the round.
What about recycling collections?
Recycling collections run separately from general waste collections and are not cancelled to catch up missed bins.
- Recycling is collected every two weeks, so it’s harder to reschedule missed rounds.
- If your recycling wasn’t collected, leave your bin out and we’ll try to collect it as soon as possible.
- If you can wait for the next collection or take your recycling to a Household Waste Recycling Centre, it helps us a lot.
How you can help
- Be patient – we know when bins are missed and we’re working to catch up.
- Leave your bin out if it’s safe to do so.
- Park considerately – avoid blocking roads or turning areas, especially in snowy conditions.
- Bag up extra rubbish and leave it next to your bin.
- Help your neighbours – especially those who may struggle to move bins or clear snow.
- Clear snow from your street if you can – this helps our crews reach you sooner.
- Recycle more – this reduces the amount of waste in your general bin. Learn more on our recycling and waste pages.