Frequently Asked Questions about
Wheeled Bins (Monday Collections from August 2008 only)

The information on this page only applies to new collections from June 2008.  This means they will only be relevant to you if your NEW collection day is a Monday, because other days haven't begun the new system yet.

Why are wheelie bins being introduced for household refuse?

What if I don’t want a wheeled bin?

I am elderly/disabled and can’t manage a wheeled bin

What if I don’t have room or access for a wheeled bin?

How big will the wheelie bins be?

What if a standard size wheeled bin is too big for my needs?

What if I live in a flat / terrace and cannot cope with a wheelie bin?

What if my wheeled bin gets full?

I have a large family and the wheeled bin will not be large enough

What will happen to the wheeled bin if I move house?

Will I be able to leave out additional waste as well as that contained in my wheeled bin?

Could there be problems with flies, smells or vermin due to the wheeled bins?

Won't my wheeled bin get very dirty and smelly?

Will the bins have identity ‘chips’?

Could I put my grass cuttings and other garden waste in my household refuse wheelie bin?

What if my bin gets damaged?

Will it matter if the lid will not shut on my wheelie bin?

Wheeled bins contain waste effectively, prevent animals from generating unwanted litter by ripping bags open and have health and safety benefits for the bin collectors by greatly reducing risks of back injuries. They also limit the amount of landfill rubbish each household can put out therefore encouraging recycling.

What if I don’t want a wheeled bin?

Under the new service every household in the East Devon District will receive a wheeled bin for general household waste.  The only reason for not recieving one is if the household is unable to accommodate one due to access problems.

If you believe you fall into this category you can request an alternative gull sack collection service.

Under the new service, we will only collect non-recyclable waste contained in wheeled bins.

Black sacks left out at kerbside will not be collected except for the period over Christmas when householders will be able to put out one additional bag of waste.

The council recognises that, for some people, putting wheeled bins and recycling boxes out for collection is outside their capability.  Therefore, an enhanced service is provided for the infirm and disabled following an assessment being completed by a Council officer to confirm a genuine need.

Assistance will not be provided if there is an able bodied person living at a property or if neighbours are willing to assist.  Householders who currently receive assistance will continue to do so under the new service.

Smaller wheeled bins, roughly half the size of the standard bins, will also be available for households that request them.

The council recognises that some residents will be unable to accommodate a wheeled bin.  These householders can request a gull sack collection service.  The Council will supply the sacks subject to an assessment by Council officers.  Smaller bins will also be available on request.

The size of the household refuse wheeled bins will be 180 litres.

Smaller 140 litre wheelie bins will be available on request.

Many flats and terraces will receive larger communal wheelie bins which will be shared between the properties.  This will be based on an assessment by Council officers.

If you use the receptacles provided by the Council for all your recyclable or compostable materials, there should be plenty of room in your wheelie bin for the remaining non-recyclable waste.

Excess waste can also be taken to your nearest Household Recycling Centre (tip).

Households with 5 or more people will be able to request additional capacity.

A 240-litre bin will be provided if this request is approved by Council officers.

Excess waste can also be taken to your nearest Household Recycling Centre (tip).

The bin should stay with the property and should not be taken away when you move.  The bin remains the property of the Council.

No.  Only the waste contained in your wheeled bin with the lid closed will be collected.  Any residual waste left out in bags alongside or on top of your bin will not be collected.

We will be collecting food waste, cans, textiles, glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles and paper at kerbside for composting and recycling.  East Devon District Council and Devon County Council provide many recycling sites for various materials, so you should have ample space to store all your non-recyclable waste.

Excess waste can also be taken to your nearest Household Recycling Centre (tip).

There should be no health issues surrounding waste being stored in wheeled bins.  Flies and smells will not be a nuisance if the bins are used properly, particularly as the Council will be collecting food waste separately on a weekly basis.

Maggots can appear within 8 to 12 hours of eggs being laid by flies in warm weather and have always been present in weekly collected general waste.  Provided the lid is kept shut wheeled bins will significantly reduce the risk of flies getting in to lay eggs.  Storing the bin in a shady position and using insecticide occasionally on the inside bin surfaces can also help.

You will be advised to rinse your bin out regularly and keep it clean.  Vermin such as rats will not be able to get inside the bins provided the lids are kept closed.

It shouldn’t, provided basic housekeeping rules are followed. If your bin does become dirty, we advise that you swill it out with disinfectant or bicarbonate of soda after it has been emptied.  You should rinse containers where appropriate and, when your bin is empty, you can place a newspaper in the base to soak up excess liquids.

Computer chips will not be injected into the body of the bins.

No.  We do not collect garden waste.  Householders can compost at home or take their garden waste to their nearest Household Recycling Centre (tip).

Waste bins which are contaminated with garden waste will not be emptied.

Any damage to your bin, such as a hole, should be reported to the Council by calling 01395 517528.

We will replace bins free of charge if they were genuinely damaged when being emptied.  Householders will be responsible for replacing bins that are wilfully damaged.

Yes.  Lids that are not closed tightly on collection have been known to swing open prematurely whilst being hoisted up at the rear of the vehicle for emptying.  This has resulted in the machinery becoming jammed or the bin falling into the hopper.  Health and Safety issues prevent the bin being recovered and it is crushed along with the rest of the load requiring the bin to be replaced.