Refuse & Recycling - Frequently Asked Questions

	Recycling
	Torbay Council
	Town Hall Castle Circus Torquay TQ1 3DS
	fss @torbay.gov.uk
	01803 207751
	01803 559580

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refuse & recycling faqs - extreme close up of Torbay Council green bins lined up in the street awaiting collection. Visit our Gallery.

Where are Torbay's recycling sites?

When it comes to the environment, even the smallest individual action really does make a difference. Torbay has a number of recycling sites/banks, to find out where these are, visit the Recycling Banks page.

Does the council take away large items of furniture I no longer require?

Yes, but there is a small charge depending on the quantity of items you wish to have removed. Please cal 01803 402934 for a quote and to book a collection time.

When will I be receiving my Wheeled Bins?

If the residents in your road do not currently have a wheeled bin then you are not on a twin bin collection. Simply continue using your normal dustbin for all your household waste. At present, Torbay Council has no immediate plans to expand the wheeled bin areas beyond the current number of users.

My green and grey bins are too big/small, can I have them changed for a more convenient size?

Yes, call 0800 8382100 and they will be able to assist you with changing to a more suitably sized bin to cater for your requirements.

The dustman did not collect my bin this morning, what shall I do?

Simply can 0800 8382100 and a new collection time will be arranged for your rubbish to be collected

Can I recycle both aluminium and steel drinks cans in the can banks?

Yes, this does not cause a problem because steel cans are easily separated from aluminium using a magnet.

Can I recycle catalogues and magazines with glued spines?

Yes, these do not cause us any problems.

Can I recycle envelopes?

No, the plastic windows and glue used on many envelopes, means that they cannot be recycled.

Can I recycle junk mail?

Yes, junk mail can be placed in your green wheeled bin/box for recycling, or put into a paper bank. Please remove any plastic coverings etc. first.

Can I recycle Yellow Pages?

Yes, yellow pages can be placed in your green wheeled bin/box or a paper bank for recycling BUT only during September and October when the new directories are delivered.

Do you have to remove the labels on tins and jars?

No, this is not necessary; they get burnt off in the recycling process.

My green recycling bin/box has not been emptied and had a sticker placed on it, why?

This is because your green bin or box was found to be contaminated with non-recyclable items by the refuse collectors. If recyclable materials in the refuse lorry become mixed with dirty non-recyclable waste from contaminated bins, they become spoiled and can’t be recycled. The wrong sort of waste also makes life extremely unpleasant and hazardous for our workers at the sorting plant who separate all the waste you put in your green bin by hand.

What can I recycle in my green-wheeled bin?

Visit the Twin Bin Scheme page for details of what can and can't be recycled.

What if I can’t wheel my bin or carry my box to the boundary for collection?

If through age, illness or infirmity you are unable to move your bins on collection day, the Council will arrange for the refuse collectors to come onto your property collect your bin from your chosen storage area, empty it and then return it to your storage point. Please note that the Collect and Return service can only be provided to you if there is no other person living in your house who can move the bins for you. In certain cases the Council may require evidence of the need for the service. Please ring 01803 402934 for details.

Where can I buy a reduced price compost bin or wormery?

Visit the Composters page for details of where to buy these items.

Where can I recycle black glass?

Black Glass can be put in with brown glass in a bottle bank.

Where can I recycle blue glass?

Blue glass can be put in with the green glass in a bottle bank.

Where can I recycle food tins?

Food tins can be placed in your green wheeled bin for recycling or can be placed in a can bank.

Where should I put my wheeled bin/box out for collection?

Your wheeled bins or boxes should be placed at the boundary of your property where it joins the road or pavement.

Why can’t I put glass in my green wheeled bin?

Glass should not be put in your green wheeled bin, but should be taken to a bottle bank. This is because all the recyclable rubbish we collect from you is sorted by hand, and broken glass is a real hazard to our staff at the sorting plant.

Why do I have to separate the glass that I take to the bank?

This is because mixed coloured glass cannot be recycled back into its’ original colours. This is especially important with clear glass.

Why don’t we have banks for plastics bottles?

Plastic bottles take up a lot of space and don’t weigh very much. The value of plastic bottles in a full bank is less than the cost of picking it up, so plastic banks are not cost effective to operate.

Why is my rubbish collected fortnightly?

Your wheeled bins are emptied on alternate weeks to keep down the cost of the collection service. If we provided a collection of non-recyclable refuse every week we would have to purchase extra collection vehicles and take on extra staff, which would mean significant increases in your Council Tax bill.