How do I put out my rubbish bin - your questions answered

Why have I got a hanger on my bin telling me my waste was not collected?

On 4 April the changes to the way we collect waste came into place. Your waste will now be collected differently, and for your waste to be taken away you will need to:

• Make sure your wheeled bin, orange recycling sacks and green recycling boxes are on the pavement outside the boundary of your property on your collection day.
• Be aware that your collection day may have changed. Information about your new collection day can be found on our pages on Rubbish and Recycling Collections.
• Make sure that all of your rubbish is inside your wheeled bin, and that the lid is closed.

If your rubbish and recycling was not put on the pavement, or your wheeled bin was overfull, you would have had a hanger put on your bin to remind you of the changes that are now in place.

You should have received a booklet Refuse and recycling - A guide to your services outlining the changes, and a hanger on your bin letting you know what your new collection day was.

If you have not received any of this information, you can either download the booklet or contact the Service Centre by telephone on 020 7926 9000 or email at streetcarecallcentre@lambeth.gov.uk to request one. If you contact the Service Centre, please let them know if you need the booklet for estates or for kerbside properties.

Information on new collection days can also be found on the Rubbish and Recycling Collections pages.

I live alone and I'm unable to manoeuvre my waste container(s) out onto the pavement. What should I do?

If you are physically unable to put your waste containers out for collection and do not have anyone who can help you, we can arrange assisted collections.

To arrange an assisted collection, you should contact the Lambeth Service Centre on 020 7296 9000 or email streetcarecallcentre@lambeth.gov.uk. If you email us, you will be called back to confirm your details.

One of our officers will then call you over the following few days to arrange an appointment at your house to speak with you about your needs. You will need to provide proof that you are unable to put your rubbish out. Examples of proof include a letter or a green card from your doctor or hospital.

Why must my bins be put out on the street?

We are asking residents to put their bins out on the street as this means that the refuse collection crews can visit more households in a day. This makes the service more efficient and means that we are able to save money on providing the service.

Why can I only keep my bin out for a certain amount of time?

Your bins need to be out by 6am on the morning of your collection day. This is because the refuse and recycling crews start at 6am so bins and bags must be out no later than this time.

Bins can only be out after 8pm the day before your collection, and need to be brought back in to the boundary of your property by 8am the following morning. This should give everyone the chance to put their bin out and bring it back in. You need to store your bin within the boundary of your property at all other times as this will stop streets from becoming cluttered.

What happens if I cannot comply with the before and after times for wheeled bin presentation?

After considering how long would be reasonable for bins to be on the pavement, we felt that most people would be able to put their bin out between 8pm the day before their collection and 6am on the morning of their collection, and bring their bin back within the boundary of their property before 8am the following morning.  If you are frequently unable to put your bin out or take it off the street you may be able to ask a neighbour or friend to move your bin for you.

I do not have space to keep my wheeled bin within the boundary of my property. What should I do?

Not all houses in Lambeth using wheeled bins have front gardens or space to keep a wheeled bin. If you do not have a front garden you should continue to present your waste as normal.

I think that putting my wheeled bin on the street will mean that people cannot use the pavement. What should I do?

If you think that putting your wheeled bin on the street will cause an obstruction to other people using the pavement, please call the Lambeth Service Centre on 020 7926 9000 and explain your situation. An officer will then visit your address and help make appropriate arrangements..

What happens if I forget to put out my waste containers out for collection?

Your waste may not be collected. You should keep your wheeled bins and recycling sacks within the boundary of your property and put them out on the pavement on your next collection day.

What happens if I'm away?

If you are away we suggest that you ask one of your neighbours, friends or family to put the bin out for you.

If this is not possible then you should leave the container within the boundary of your property and put it out on the pavement on the next collection day after you are back.