Bin collection top tips

To avoid any collection issues, follow these top tips to help you deal with all your rubbish and recycling.

Please note: we only deal with bins in the Preston area. If you live outside this area see GOV.UK - Find your local council.

1. Sort your waste correctly ready for collection

Reduce your carbon footprint and save space in your grey bin by sorting your waste and recycling correctly by using bags or boxes. For a list of accepted kerbside items see what can I put in my bins?. There are also alternative recycling options for those items we don't currently accept in your red and yellow bins.

Please note: do not put batteries in your rubbish or recycling bins - this can cause fires when compacted in the wagons.

2. Make sure your bins are out for collection by 7am on your collection day

We may not always collect your containers at the same time every week, so please make sure your bins are out by 7am to make sure you don't miss a collection. Bins should be placed at the edge of your property for collection unless you have an alternative collection point.

Use our online tool to find your bin collection day.

3. Put your house number on all your bins

Make sure you clearly mark all your bins with your house number so that we can return them to the right house and to avoid them being stolen or vandalised.

4. Bring your bins back on to your property as soon as possible after collection

Bins left on the street outside of collection periods are exposed to crime, arson, fly-tipping, litter and vermin. If your bin is continually left on the street outside of collection periods we may be forced to repossess it and you will be charged for its return. 

Any loose waste left on the street as a result of not having a bin will be treated as an offence and may lead to prosecution. 

Bins should be kept on your property and put out no earlier than 6.00pm on the day before collection. They should be returned to your property as soon as possible after collection.

5. Ask yourself "Do I really need my recycling bin emptying this fortnight?" 

You may not have enough recyclables to fill your bin every fortnight so ask yourself if you really need to put it out for collection.

6. Do not bag your recycling in your bins

Please do not put carrier bags in your recycling bins as this is classed as contamination. Our crew will not empty containers that have contaminated items in and you may receive a visit from an education officer. If you need to transport recyclables a long distance, please make sure they are emptied out of the carrier bag and placed loose within the bin.

7. Do not place any extra bags of rubbish out with your grey bin

We will only collect rubbish contained within your grey bin so please do not place extra bags of waste out for collection as this will be classed as fly-tipping and may lead to further investigations by our enforcement officers. 

If you continually have extra bags of waste and are fully participating in our recycling schemes you can request a bigger waste or recycling bin.

8. Request larger recycling bins if you have too much material

If you regularly have too much recycling you can request larger recycling bins by filling out a larger recycling bin form.

9. Recycle even more of your waste by using the Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC)

You can recycle batteries, wood, rigid plastics, light bulbs, beverage cartons and much more at your local HWRC, which will help to reduce the waste in your grey bin even further.

10. Book a skip or bulky waste collection if you are having a clear out or doing some DIY.

Waste Management operate a fast, competitive skip hire service with prices based on the location and skip size. For more information please see Skip hire.

If you just need a few larger household items removing, see Bulky Household Waste Collection.