Is it illegal to put garden waste in black bin?
AS the weather warms up, many of us will be thinking about getting back out into the garden.
But whether it’s mowing the lawn or planting new flowers – there will be green waste. Here is what you need to do with it.
Is it illegal to put garden waste in a black bin?
While it is not illegal to put garden waste in a black bin, it is recommended that residents purchase a brown bin.
This allows the materials to be recycled which is the most environmentally friendly solution.
Local councils often have specific regulations around the disposal of garden waste to ensure it gets recycled properly.
Be sure to check out your local council website to find out the rules.
What happens if you put garden waste in your black or recycling bins?
If you put garden waste in your black bin (general waste) or recycling bin, several things can happen.
Firstly, garden waste can contaminate recyclable materials, making the entire bin unsuitable for recycling.
When this happens, the waste has to be burnt instead.
If the waste collection service detects garden waste in the wrong bin, they may refuse to collect it, leaving you with uncollected waste.
You must remove the wrong waste so they can empty the bin on your next collection day.
If you don’t want to wait until your next collection day, you can take your waste to your nearest tip.
What can go in a Brown Bin?
Put these in your brown bin:
- Garden waste, such as grass cuttings and leaves
- Untreated wood
- Straw and sawdust
- Food waste, including meat, fish dairy, and peelings
- Used paper tissues
- Cut-up real Christmas trees (lid must close)
How do you dispose of garden waste correctly?
Some councils provide a home collection service for garden waste – but there may be a small fee for green waste collection.
Since April 2024, councils have set out an annual fee for the fortnightly pick-up of brown-lidded bins.
The decision is part of a scheme that sees residents shelling out a one-time fee to get their bins picked up.
The move means Brits will have to find alternatives for their garden waste if they want to dispose of it for free.
The authority said it was not legally obliged to collect garden waste free of charge, and about 70 per cent of councils charged for the service.
What different types of bins are used for:
Black Rubbish Bins / Recycling Bins: For general waste that cannot be recycled or composted.
Blue Recycling Bins: To collect ‘dry’ recyclables – including paper, boxes, cans and tins.
Red Recycling Bins: For plastics, although many councils will allow you to collect plastics in your ‘dry’ recycling bin, whatever colour it may be.
However, some plastic items cannot been recycled and should be disposed in the black wheelie bin. These include plastic carrier bags, packaging, hard plastics and polystyrene.
Brown Recycling Bins: For mixed recyclables including plastic bottles, food tins, drink cans, aerosols, tin foil and glass bottles and jars.
Green Recycling Bins: To collect glass recyclables such as glass bottles and jars.
Yellow Recycling Bins: To collect textiles such as clothes, bed linens, and towels.
Grey Recycling Bins: For general household waste or for dry recyclables such as paper and food cans or mixed recyclable waste.
Purple Recycling Bins: In Liverpool they are used for general household waste, food waste, and pet food, while in Ayrshire, purple recycling bins are reserved for recyclables such as glass, plastics, cans, and cartons.