To keep the use of landfill sites to a minimum and to keep a clean and green environment, we encourage you to reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible.Depending on where you live you may have been provided with a seagull proof bag, which should be used for anything which you cannot recycle.
The Bags
The bags are clearly marked ‘Property of Torbay Council’ but it is your responsibility to look after it.
- they have not been made available for use at any property outside the scheme
- Torbay Council may charge for any bags damaged by the householder due to lack of care/loss or failing to follow the correct guidelines for use
Lost, stolen or damaged bags should be reported immediately by telephoning 01803 207900
How does the scheme work?
When you have recycled everything you can put what is left in your residual (non-recyclable) seagull bag. This includes the following:
- carrier bags
- yogurt pots
- margarine tubs
- polystyrene
- plastic food trays
- crisp packets
- cling film
- Yellow Pages
- wallpaper
- envelopes
- greetings cards
- waxed cartons (orange juice, etc)
- polystyrene egg boxes
Place your seagull-proof bag out for collection only by 6am on your day of collection at a point on or adjacent to your property, they should not be placed out until that day or at earliest, last thing the night before.
Your normal residual (non-recyclable) waste sacks of rubbish should be tied at the top and placed into the seagull-proof bag. The crews will then remove your residual (non-recyclable) waste sacks from the seagull-proof bag and load them straight into the back of the residual waste vehicle.
Do not place loose rubbish into the seagull-proof bags, as the crews will not take it. The bags must not be used to contain bulky household items, liquid, garden or hazardous waste. For more information on the disposal of these types of items visit the Garden Waste, special collection or Household Waste Recycling Centre pages.
Once your seagull-proof bag has been emptied it will be left outside your property. It may help if you secure the bag to a ring/eyelet on your property using the red ties located on the handle, or put a brick or similar weighty object in the bottom to ensure that it does not blow away. This advice may seem to be unnecessary but it has been noted that the red ties are sometimes used to secure the handles together which can then knot and have to be cut off.
Please note: Items that are NOT collected and should NOT be placed in either your seagull proof bag or your recycling boxes are hardcore and rubble waste from building/construction work or hazardous waste. Both of these items should be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centre, however, please note the restriction on hardcore/rubble waste below.
Hardcore/Rubble
This waste is legally classed as industrial waste even though it may have arisen from the home, however, up to 12 normal size black bags will be accepted as long as the owner is prepared to place them in the proper area for recycling purposes. Visits with these materials will also be restricted to one in any 6 month period, an automatic number plate recognitions system (ANPR) will monitor this.
All other excess materials of this nature must be disposed of at an authorised site as commercial waste. This can be arranged by bringing your waste onto the weighbridge at Torbay Transfer Station during opening hours Monday to Thursday 8am - 4pm (last entry 3.45pm) Friday 8am - 3.30 (last entry 3.15pm). There is a minimum charge for weights up to 260 kilos, with all greater weights charged at the current commercial tonnage rate (plus vat). Otherwise you are free to make arrangements with any licensed private waste contractor or by phoning Torbay Council on 01803 207900 for a special collection at a reasonable charge.
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Contact Customer Call Centre
- Tel: 01803 207900
- Email: connections@torbay.gov.uk
- Fax: N/A
