Some commonly asked questions about our new kerbside recycling system.
Why have we made these changes?
We want to make recycling as easy as possible, and collect it in a more environmentally-friendly way. These changes mean:
- You will have more space for your recycling
- You will have less sorting to do
- The containers are more weatherproof and therefore will cause less litter
- Collections will be completed more quickly because there is less sorting for crews to do
- More streamlined collections mean we will use fewer vehicles in total, and less fuel – reducing our carbon footprint
- The new system causes fewer strains and injuries to collection crews
When will I get my new bins?
The new bins have now been delivered. If you think you've been missed, or if you've received the bins but don't want to use them, please give us a call. You can start using your new bins as soon as you get them. Once you have the new bins, you will not be able to use the old boxes/bag.
What do the new bins look like, and how big are they?
One of your new bins has a red lid – that one is for metal (ie cans, tins and aluminium foil), plastic and glass. The other has a blue lid and is for paper and card.
They are both 105cm tall, 48cm wide and 54.5cm deep (front to back). This is smaller than a household waste wheeled bin.
What goes in each bin?
Paper and card goes into the blue-lidded bin, and the red-lidded one is for metal (ie cans, tins and aluminium foil), glass and plastic. You can see a detailed list of what goes in each bin here.
I don't have much card - can I use both bins for plastic/metal/glass?
No. You can only use your red-lidded bin for plastic/metal/glass. If you put these materials in your blue-lidded bin, it will not be taken (and vice versa).
What should I do with my old boxes? Can I keep them?
We encourage people to keep and use their existing boxes for other purposes – reuse is always the most environmentally-friendly option. They make great storage, or can be useful planters.
How can I dispose of my old boxes if I don’t want them?
You can return boxes and bags to our depot at Whitehaven Commercial Park, Moresby, CA28 8YD, between 9am and 4pm, Monday to Friday.
They can also be left outside our Millom depot at Unit 1, King Street, LA18 4BA, between 9am and 2.30pm, Monday to Friday.
Can I weigh my bins down, for example by putting bricks in them?
No, this will contaminate the load of recycling, making it unusable, and may damage the lorry.
Will assisted collections continue under the new system?
Yes - if you had an assisted collection previously, that will continue under the new scheme. Please keep putting your new bins where you do now. You don’t need to contact us.
Can I put shredded paper in my paper/card bin?
Yes. But please don't put it in loose, as it could get blown on to the street when the bin is tipped into the lorry. You could put it in a paper bag, or put it inside a cardboard box. Just don't put it in a plastic bag or container.
Can I get braille labels for my bins?
Yes, just contact us on 01946 598300, or at info@copeland.gov.uk, or visit us at one of our offices.
Will the recycling ‘bring’ sites remain open?
Yes, our community sites will remain and you can see a list of them here.
I was not included on the scheme before - does the new scheme mean I'll now get a collection?
No. We are currently looking at expanding the scheme to new areas, but this is unlikely to happen until next year, and will of course depend on the logistics of the area. We are keen to collect from as many areas as possible.
What about terraced properties?
Your wheeled recycling bins will be collected from the same location as your household waste bin. So that means you might opt to store your recycle bins in the same place as your waste bins (although it’s completely up to the householder where the bins are stored.)
I don’t have room to store the bins
Some people share a bin with a friend/neighbour, to save space. If you choose not to have the bins, you won’t be able to access the kerbside service, but our bring sites remain open for you.
I would prefer not to use the bins, but to carry on using my old boxes/bag - will it still be collected?
No. The scheme is changing to wheeled bins across the board. Any efficiencies and economies will be lost if we don’t offer a streamlined service.
The exception to this is for those already on blue bag waste collections. This means there is no room to store a wheeled bin and these properties will continue to use their boxes and bag.
How often will my new bins be collected?
They’ll be collected fortnightly, as previously. You can see your collection dates here.
Does this affect my household waste or garden waste collections?
No, your other collections have not changed.
I’m on blue bag collections – what does this mean for me?
Blue bag collections are usually in place because there isn’t the space for a wheeled bin system to operate effectively. So, if you’re on blue bags, you can continue to use your existing boxes/bag as before.
Some or all of my recycling wasn’t collected – why?
It’s important the right items go in the right bin – it means a better-quality product for reprocessing. If we find something we can’t collect, we will hang a card on your bin to tell you why. Our staff won’t have time to do any sorting, so if any ‘contamination’ is spotted, it’s likely the whole bin could get left behind. Click here to find out exactly what can go in each bin.
How much recycling can I put out for collection?
Now that we are using bigger bins, we ask that you do not leave extra alongside. We can only collect what is contained in the bin with the lid shut. We can’t collect any extra placed along side, and your bin lid needs to be closed, not overfilled.
Is my waste still properly recycled?
Yes, it is separated into different materials and sent for recycling. You can see what happens to it here.
What if my bin breaks?
Tell us, by emailing info@copeland.gov.uk or calling 01946 598300. We will arrange a replacement.
Can I have an extra recycling bin?
If you meet the criteria for a larger family, you may be able to get a larger recycling bin. Contact us on 01946 598300 to ask, or email info@copeland.gov.uk.
My cardboard is too big to fit in my bin, what should I do?
Flatten or cut up cardboard boxes to fit into your bin (remove all polystyrene, bubble wrap and other packaging). You can also take your extra cardboard to a recycling ‘bring’ site or a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Do I still need to crush my recycling materials?
Yes – we want the scheme to be as environmentally-friendly as possible, and crushing means you get more in your bin, meaning some people may need to put it out for collection less often.
How clean do the recycled materials need to be?
They should not have food sticking to them, or have any liquid left inside.
How do I tell you when my bins haven’t been collected?
Your bins must be put out by 7am on the morning of collection. If your bin is not collected by 5pm on the scheduled day, contact us on 01946 598300 or at info@copeland.gov.uk, or check information on delayed collections.
Can I put a bin liner in the wheeled recycling bins?
No, we can’t recycle those.
Can I get rigid lids for my boxes if I wish to keep them for use as storage?
We are currently looking at how many lids we have left and, if appropriate, how they can be picked up or distributed. We should soon be able to give more information on this.
Can I put something on my bin to identify it?
Yes, you can use wraps, stickers or other ways to make your bin identifiable.
There is no information sticker on my bin, how can I get one?
Contact us on 01946 598300. In the meantime, you can see a detailed list of what goes in each bin here.
