Recycling FAQ
The council is offering residents an increasing number of services for their domestic waste. Every item that residents can recycle means less waste going to costly landfill sites for disposal. This is good news for the environment and helps to reduce costs and the potential for the council to be fined. Here are a few of the questions we get asked about the services. Thank you for supporting recycling in Wigan Borough.
What can I put in my paper sack?
You can recycle magazines, catalogues and junk mail in your paper sack, as well as newspapers of course. Please don't include any plastics or envelopes, though,
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What can I put into my green wheelie bin?
Items of garden waste can go into the green bin: leaves, bark, grass, weeds and cuttings. You can also include clean, brown cardboard. Because of regulations concerning foot and mouth disease, NO food waste can go in the green bin. Please also keep plastic bags, nappies and plant pots out of the green bin.
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Where can I recycle clothes, books, discs and other items?
The council has 5 major household wasre recycling centres around the borough, and around 150 handy roadside sites. Here you can recycle many items. Click the link 'Where can I recycle?' on the left to find your local site.
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What about plastics?
Plastic bottles can now be recycled at many of the larger recycling centres (click the link to the left for details). For some properties, a trial collection service for plastics begins in Spring 2008.
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Why can't I recycle all the plastics which have a recycle logo on?
We can only accept items that are accepted by the recycling centre – these are those listed in the ‘yes please’ on the plastic list at the recycling centres, or on the leaflet delivered to those in the home trial.
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Why do I need to rinse bottles and jars?
As your bin is collected every fortnight it would be more hygienic to rinse bottles.
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My bin is too big and I have nowhere to store it – can I opt for a smaller one?
Unfortunately not at the moment as it is currently a trial. We only have a standard size bin – 240 litre, this is the same size as theblack refuse bin
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I am on the new trial service. Why can't we have a box instead of a bin like other councils?
At the moment the brown bins are a trial. They will be evaluated to see if they are the best collection method for the borough. We believe they are safe, cost-effective and the best way to store materials.
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Can I put my house number on my bins?
Yes – we would highly recommend you do this to prevent your bin being taken by another resident in error.
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When are my bins emptied?
Black bins are collected weekly. Other recycling services are on the same day of the week, but fortnightly. All residents receive a full calendar for the year with their collection timetable. There are minor changes at holiday periods. If you have misplaced your calendar, please contact us on 0142 404364 for a new copy. Please make sure your bins and sack are out at the edge of your property by 7am on your collection day.
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