Household rubbish

Please store household rubbish carefully and safely. You shouldn't put large items of household rubbish in gardens or shared areas. In the interests of hygiene, you should put it out for collection in the appropriate bags or containers on the day the refuse collectors are due.

We're working to reduce landfill waste and boost recycling—and you play a key role in that.

Please sort your household waste into food, recyclable, and non-recyclable items, and pop them into the right containers for collection. Need extra bins or bags? Just check with your local council.

Your council can also let you know if they provide bins or if you’ll need to get one yourself. And don’t forget—always tie up bin bags and wrap sharp items like broken glass before throwing them away.

If you live in an apartment...

• Shared bin stores:

- Do not place rubbish or bags on the floor

- All rubbish must wrapped or bagged and placed inside the bins

- Separate cardboard, plastics and glass and place in to the appropriate bin

• You must not leave bulky rubbish in the bin areas.
• Never leave rubbish or other household waste in the shared areas.
• Never throw rubbish, or any other items, from windows or balconies.

More information on how to recycle effectively can be found here.

For large items like furniture or cookers etc:
• B&NES Council will collect bulky items and offer a reduced fee of just £15 for three items if you're on a low income. You can visit B&NES Council website here.
• Check whether your weekly kerbside collection will take your items – you might be surprised what they'll accept, from kettles and hair-driers to clothes and car batteries.
• The Genesis Trust offers a free collection service.
• If you’re buying new white goods like a fridge or washing machine, ask the retailer to take away your old item some offer this as a free service
• Offer your unwanted items for collection on websites such as Freegle or Freecycle.
• Free scrap metal and unwanted appliance collection click here.
• Don’t use rogue waste collection firms - they'll promise a great price but the dump your waste illegally!

Please don't dump large items outside your property or in and around shared areas as this can be unsightly and dangerous and is illegal.

If you live in an apartment...

• Shared bin stores should be kept clean and tidy with all rubbish wrapped and placed inside the bins.
• You should not leave bulky rubbish in the bin areas.
• Never leave rubbish in the shared areas.
• Never throw rubbish, or any other items, from windows or balconies.

Along with the council and the Environment Agency we will take action against anyone caught dumping rubbish under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The maximum fine is £50,000 or five years in prison, or both.