Your rubbish collection

What size is the standard rubbish bin?

It is 180 litres which is approximately 1080mm height x 485mm width x 725mm depth.

Can I swap my rubbish bin for a smaller one?

Yes, if you do not fill up your rubbish bin regularly you can exchange it for a smaller one, please complete the request a container form.

Can I swap my rubbish bin for a larger one?

Over 50% of items put in rubbish bins can be recycled, saving space in your rubbish bin. There shouldn't be much rubbish left after you have recycled.

If you are recycling correctly and you still need to exchange your council rubbish bin with a larger one, please complete the request a container form. There is a charge for your bin. In the meantime, you can take excess rubbish to a community recycling centre or store it until you are able to fit it in your wheeled rubbish bin.

Can I have more than one rubbish bin?

No, each property can only have one council issued wheeled rubbish bin.

You can take additional rubbish to a community recycling centre.

Properties not suitable for a wheeled bin

If you don't have any room for wheeled bins at the edge of your property, if you have steps up/down to your property or a steep slope up/down to your property, please select green rubbish sacks when completing the request a container form and we will assess your request.

I've been told I am on the van round, what does this mean?

You must use sacks for your recycling and rubbish. You can use a wheeled bin to store your sacks and you will need to remove the sacks by 6am on your collection day. You can also use dustbins to store your sacks and they will be taken out by the crew. 

If you can’t physically move your recycling and rubbish containers to the edge of your property, and have no one to put them out for you, you may be eligible for an assisted collection. This is where your wheeled bins or sacks are collected and returned to a nominated point on your property.

To apply, complete the assisted collection application form and we will assess your request.

The containers  must always be put in the same location with clear and safe access for the crew to get to them.

In certain circumstances, such as when the access between your assisted collection point and the road is covered in gravel, you may also need to use council issued sacks instead of a wheeled bin.

I have an assisted collection and the bin was not returned after the collection took place, what should I do?

Please complete the report a collection issue form.

Can I use black bin bags?

No, if you are eligible to use sacks instead of a wheeled bin, we will only collect council issued green sacks.

How many green sacks can I put out each fortnight?

We will collect up to five green sacks each fortnight. You can take additional rubbish to a community recycling centre.

How often do you deliver the green sacks?

Once a year we will deliver all your council sacks for the following year.

Can I order more green sacks?

You should have enough green sacks for one year, we will collect up to five bin bags a fortnight. If you have used them all before your next delivery, you can order more bin bags, at a charge of £12 for 20 bin bags. Please complete the green sack request form.

I had a party and I have too much rubbish for the bin, what can I do?

Please check to see if any of the items could be recycled instead. Otherwise you can take the extra bags to a community recycling centre, or store them until you are able to fit them in your wheeled rubbish bin.

How will excess uncollected rubbish be dealt with?

Excess rubbish will not be collected and will be recorded by the crews. You can take excess rubbish to a community recycling centre or store it until you are able to fit it in your wheeled rubbish bin.

If you find you regularly fill up your bin, please check the items you can recycle to make sure you are recycling everything you can, to save space in your rubbish bin.

I have filled up my bin, but the lid won’t close, will it still be collected?

No, the lid needs to be closed to ensure it can be emptied safely and that it won’t be damaged by the collection vehicle. A closed lid also prevents littering and your rubbish being spread by rodents and other pests.

I am a childminder with lots of nappies to dispose of. How should I manage this rubbish?

If you run a childminding service from home, this would be treated as commercial waste. You cannot put this waste into your council issued bins and need to arrange for a commercial collection with a contractor of your choice. Visit Surrey County Council's website for more information on business and commercial waste.

My bin is broken, what do I do?

Please complete the request a container form and we will either fix your current bin or exchange it for a new one. This will be free of charge if the damage was caused by the truck or waste collector. In all other circumstances charges apply.

My bin has been stolen, what do I do?

Please complete the request a container form. Charges apply for all stolen bins. When we deliver your new bin, please write your house name or number on your wheelie bin, in the white rectangle, but please don’t cover our logo. 

I have just moved home and the previous owner has taken the rubbish bin, how do I order a new one?

Please complete the request a container form and we will deliver a new wheeled rubbish bin. Charges apply for all new bins. When we deliver your new bin, please write your house name or number on your wheelie bin, in the white rectangle, but please don’t cover our logo.

New build / self-build houses

All bins must be purchased from the Council. Current costs for one full set is £100 which includes supply and delivery of:

• 1 x 240 litre recycling bin.
• 1 x 180 litre rubbish bin.
• 1 x 23 litre outdoor food caddy.
• 1 x 5 litre indoor food caddy.

Multiple sets incur a larger delivery cost.

I am a developer, how do I order bins for new property/properties?

Please complete the contact us form with details of the property addresses, type of properties, date the properties will be occupied, and whether you have planned to put in individual or communal wheeled bins. 

I am building my own property, how do I order bins?

Please complete the contact us form with details of the property address and date it will be occupied from. 

Some bins must be purchased from the Council and some can be purchased by the developer from a company of your choice following the Council specification.

Please complete the contact us form with details of the property addresses, type of properties, date the properties will be occupied, and whether you have planned to put in individual or communal wheeled bins.

What bins do I use if I live in a flat?

If you live in a flat, you may have communal bins in a shared bin store area which you should use. These are the responsibility of the managing agent or property owner to provide and maintain.

If you live in a flat and do not have communal bins you can use the council issued rubbish bins or green sacks.

The table below explains the circumstances in which you will be charged for requesting a new bin: