Brown bin

Brown bin collections

Your brown bin must be out for collection by 7am on your scheduled day.

  • All waste must fit in the bin with the lid closed.
  • No excess waste can be left on the street next to the bin.
  • Food waste can be loose, in kitchen caddy liners or wrapped in newspaper or a paper bag.
  • Remember to move the bin from the kerbside as soon as possible following collection.
  • If you are unable to put your bin out yourself, we may be able to offer assisted collections.

Garden waste 

Garden waste permits are changing. From 1 September 2024 garden waste will be emptied for free for households using one brown bin. Additional permits will be available for an annual fee of £30 per bin up to two additional bins.

For more information read our Garden waste collection and permit FAQs.

What you can recycle in your brown bin 

  • Dairy and eggshells
  • Meat, fish and bones
  • Fruit and vegetables
  • Bread, cakes and pastries
  • Rice and pasta
  • Tea bags
  • Coffee grounds
  • Solid fats such as butter or lard
  • Leftovers from preparing food and meals
  • Out of date food 

The following items will be emptied from one brown bin per household. If you use more than one brown bin for these items, you will need to buy additional garden waste permits. 

  • Flowers including Rhododendrons 
  • Grass cuttings 
  • Hedge trimmings 
  • Leaves 
  • Small branches, bark and twigs 
  • Weeds but not Ragwort or Japanese Knotweed 

What you can't recycle in your brown bin (even with a permit): 

  • Himalayan Balsam 
  • Giant hogweed 
  • Soil and compost
  • Pet food 
  • Household waste 
  • Food packaging 
  • Plastic bags or black bags 
  • Oils or liquids 
  • Chemicals 
  • Large branches 
  • Fence panels, posts or treated wood such as trellises 
  • Flower pots, seed trays or plastic plant labels 

You can even put kitchen roll that has been used to wipe up spills in your caddy. Food contaminated cardboard, such as pizza boxes, can also be put into your food recycling bin as it will break down in the composting process. 

Additional waste

Please do not leave any extra waste or large items at the side of the bin because we will not be able to collect them. If you have excess waste or a large item that will not fit in the bin, you can:

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