Bin collections and the bin policy

Find your bin collection dates

You can check your bin collection dates online.

Bins are emptied every other week (alternate weeks).

What goes in each bin

• Green bin - general waste (things that can't be recycled)
• Grey bin - recycling (paper, cardboard, glass, cans, plastic bottles, food trays, yoghurt pots, tubs, cartons)
• Brown bin - garden waste (optional service, extra charge applies)

Important rules

• Only one green bin is emptied per household.
• All waste must be inside the bin with the lid closed.
• No extra bags at the side of the bin - they will not be collected.
• If you need more space, you can ask for an extra recycling bin.
• Larger families (7 or more people) can apply for a smaller extra green bin (140 litres) if they recycle properly.

Please see the full version of our Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy (PDF, 165 kb) for more detailed information.

Rural collections

If you live in a hard-to-reach area, your waste may be collected by a smaller vehicle van. You'll need to take your bin to a set collection point.

Find out more about rural collections.

Extra waste

• Do not leave extra bags next to your bin.
• This is seen as fly-tipping and may lead to action being taken. All of our vehicles are fitted with CCTV and reporting systems to ensure that areas of concern are logged and reported.
• Take extra waste to your local tip (HWRC) or use a licensed waste service.

Cameras and checks

Our bin lorries have cameras to:

• record missed bins
• sport wrong items in the recycling bins
• help with safety and complaints.

Residents living in the Bradford district are provided with:

• 1 x 240 litre general waste (green) bin - for general waste that cannot be recycled
• 1 x 240 litre recycling waste (grey) bin - for paper, cardboard, glass bottles, jars, cans, aerosols, plastic bottles, plastic food trays, yoghurt pots, margarine/butter tubs, food and drinks cartons (all together in the same recycling bin)

Garden waste bin

You may also have a garden waste (brown) bin. This is an optional service and there is a charge to have your garden waste bin emptied. Residents who want to have their garden waste collected from their home will be able to sign up for the annual service.

Why can I only put out one green bin?

Recycling saves money.

Every tonne of general waste costs around £160 more than recycling.

To keep costs down, the Council only empties one green bin per household.

I have more than one green bin. Can I keep them?

You can keep extra bins, but only one will be emptied.

If you want to get rid of extra bins, we can collect and reuse them.

Can I leave extra bags next to my bin?

No. Extra waste at the side of your bin:

• looks messy
• can block paths
• attracts animals and pests
• may lead to enforcement action

I bought my extra bin. Can I still use it?

No. Only one green bin is emptied per household.

Even if you paid for an extra bin, it won’t be collected.

Can I get a refund for my extra bin?

No. The payment covers delivery and admin.

The bin still belongs to the Council.

How do you know how many bins I’ve put out?

Bins should be labelled with your house number.

Our crews keep track of extra bins and can arrange to remove them if needed.

Can I squash the lid down?

Yes. You can press down the waste to fit more in.

But the lid must be closed when the bin is put out.

This helps stop spills, smells, and pests.

Damaged bins

Some bin damage (like broken wheels or lids) can be repaired for free.

You can request a repair online or call 01274 431000.

Houses with lots of people

If you have 7 or more people living in your home, you can apply for an extra green bin. You must:

• Be recycling properly
• Pay a small fee for admin and delivery
• Wait for a visit or phone call to check your needs

Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO)

If you rent out a house to several people, you may need a business waste contract. Only one green and one grey bin are allowed per property. Extra bins must be collected by a licensed waste company.

I have a large household. One bin isn’t enough.

If 7 or more people live in your home, you can apply for an extra 140 litre green bin.

You must be recycling properly. The Council will check your waste and give advice.

If approved, you’ll need to pay a small fee before the bin is delivered.

My bin wasn’t emptied last week. Can I put out extra waste?

If your bin was missed due to a service issue, it will usually be collected by the next day.

Report missed collections online or call 01274 431000.

Even after a missed collection, only one bin will be emptied.

Extra waste should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC).

I have extra waste this week (for example, decorating, moving, birthday, Christmas). Can I put it out?

No. Only one green bin will be emptied per collection.

Take extra waste to an Household Waste Recycling Centre or book a bulky waste collection (charges apply).

Book a bulky waste collection online or call 01274 431000 to arrange.

I don’t have space for a recycling bin.

Call 01274 431000. The Recycling Team will talk to you about other options.

Do I have to keep a recycling bin?

All homes are offered a recycling bin.

If you always recycle responsibly elsewhere, you can ask for it to be taken away.

But if you put recyclable items in your green bin, you may face enforcement action.

Can I put garden waste in my green bin?

No. Garden waste must go in a brown bin (paid service), to an HWRC, or be composted.

Contaminated bins will not be emptied.

Can I put extra recycling out with my bin?

No. Do not leave extra recycling at the side of your bin.

Take it to a local recycling site (for example, supermarket) or Household Waste Recycling Centre.

You can request an extra recycling bin online or by calling 01274 431000.

Why is my house being checked? Others have more bins or don’t recycle.

All homes must follow the Council’s waste rules.

If you put out extra bins, side waste, or the wrong items, you may face enforcement action.

I pay Council Tax. Shouldn’t the Council sort my waste?

The Council encourages recycling to reduce costs for everyone.

If waste isn’t sorted properly, it costs more and affects all taxpayers.

I forgot to put my bin out. Can I put out extra waste next time?

No. It’s your responsibility to put your bin out on time.

Take extra waste to an HWRC.

I’m on a black bag collection. Can I put out more than one bag?

Yes, your collection stays the same.

But you must not put recyclable items in black bags.

Call the Council to request recycling containers.

Can I put broken electrical items in my bin?

No. Take electrical items to an Household Waste Recycling Centre or book an electrical waste collection.

There are also Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment banks around the district.

Can I leave my bin on the pavement all the time?

No. Bring your bin back in after it’s emptied.

Leaving bins out can block paths and cause safety issues.

Does the lid on my bin need to be closed?

Yes. All bins must be presented with the lid closed to prevent spills, smells, and pests.

My recycling bin has the wrong waste in it. Will it still be emptied?

If your recycling bin is contaminated, it will be emptied once only if it has a yellow tag.

Call 01274 431000 to request a tag.

After that, you must only use the bin for recycling.

Repeated contamination may lead to enforcement action.

Questions?

Call the Council Contact Centre: 01274 431000