Frequently asked questions:
Why are you suspending my brown bin collection?
We are suspending brown bin collections for one week only. This is in response to feedback from residents, who asked for one extra collection of their green bin – we will provide this from Monday 6th April. In order to provide this we will need to suspend the brown collection for one week only (from Monday 6th April). Your next brown bin collection will take place from 20th April on your normal collection day. You can check when this is – manchester.gov.uk/bincollections.
What do I do with extra recycling I cannot fit in my brown bin (glass, cans, tins, plastic bottles)?
Please try and squash your cans and plastic bottles so that you can fit as much recycling as possible in your brown bin. If you are able to, please store any recycling you are not able to fit in your bin until your next collection. If you wash your cans, bottles and tins after use – this will stop them from becoming smelly.
We cannot accept requests for additional brown bins during this time. We are currently prioritising the delivery of grey (rubbish) bins.
How long will green bin collections be suspended for?
Due to staff absence there are not currently enough drivers and operatives to provide all the normal collection services. The Council is reviewing this situation on a daily basis with our waste collection contractor Biffa. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, please check for updates and advice at www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
Why have you decided to suspend the green bin collections?
With residents spending more time at home we understand that extra waste will be created as a result of having more meals at home than normal. This leads to lots of extra packaging – which can be recycled in the blue and brown recycling bins. Whilst we appreciate there may also be an increase in food waste, this should fit into the grey rubbish bin. Collection of garden waste is not essential at this time.
Can the crews who collect my grey bin (rubbish) not empty my green bin too?
Unfortunately, it’s not possible for the crew emptying the rubbish bins to empty the green bins too. This would double the number of bins to be emptied in a day and increase the volume of waste to be collected. It would not be possible for the crew to complete the round and many residents would not get their rubbish bins emptied. We need to get to every property.
Why don’t you cancel the blue bin collection instead?
Crews are working hard to collect as much waste and recycling as possible. After the grey bin, the blue and brown recycling bins are used the most, so we are doing our best to maintain these collections.
The week beginning Monday 6 April 2020 is ‘brown bin week’, this is the earliest opportunity we have had to provide an extraordinary collection of green bins.
What do I do with my food and garden waste after the ‘extra collection’ has taken place?
Garden waste, vegetable peelings, fruit and coffee granules can be composted at home – if you already have a home compost bin. For further advice on home composting visit: https://www.gardenersworld.com/ or https://www.rhs.org.uk/
Residents who do not have a compost bin should place their food waste in the grey rubbish bin instead.
This change is to allow us to collect grey rubbish bins as normal – so please put any extra bags next to your grey bin on grey bin collection day. Please keep this to a minimum and double bag any waste you put next to your grey bin. We will resume green bin collections as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience caused, please check for updates and advice at www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
Can I leave extra bags of rubbish next to my grey bin?
Due to the amount of staff unable to work, we don’t have capacity to collect large amounts of extra waste. We need to get to every house and collecting large amounts of extra waste would prevent that. we would ask residents to be considerate and think about everyone when presenting extra bags next to the grey bin please. Any extra bags should be double bagged to stop spillage and for the crews safety.
What should l do with waste if I have symptoms of COVID-19 (Coronavirus)?
If you have symptoms, there is some advice on cleaning, waste and other situations here
There is also specific advice from Manchester City Council about a range of issues at www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus
How has this change been communicated to the public?
Changes to date have been communicated via social media, email and traditional press (via press releases). We encourage all readers of our social posts and emails to share the information with their friends, family and neighbours who may not be on social media.
Social media posts to date have reached hundreds of thousands of people with a very high engagement rate. This is a very high number in terms of local authority social media, so we are confident that messages are getting out to the majority of people via these channels. We appreciate the help of officers, elected members and residents in sharing messages with those who are offline.
It has been suggested that we might sticker the bins or send out a letter. As this situation changes quite quickly, it is not practical to get a letter out to everybody or to sticker, as the information could be out of date before it arrives.
I want a refund on my Council Tax
We appreciate that this is a difficult time for many residents and that the COVID-19 virus is having a significant impact on the economy.
Your Council Tax pays for our essential services that are delivered to all residents in the city, so it is really important that if your circumstances have not changed that you continue to pay what you should, maintain your direct debit payments, or payment plan, as detailed on your bill. If you are struggling to pay your Council Tax, there is support available and the Council can help you if you have been affected. There is more information here
How long will waste services be interrupted for?
We hope that residents understand these are temporary measures in very exceptional circumstances. The bin collection crews are providing a vital service and we appreciate their commitment to continue providing these services. The situation will continue to change and evolve, so please inform residents to keep updated by checking www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus for the very latest information.
I have large items that I want to dispose of, but the tips are closed and there is no bulky collection service.
Following Government advice, the operator of Household Waste and Recycling Centres (tips) have closed them to the public until further notice. Clearing out unwanted household items and furniture is not essential. Bulky waste removal staff are working hard to complete existing bookings and no new bookings will be taken until further notice. The bulky collection team will then focus on supporting waste and recycling collection crews.
Last updated 4pm, 31 March 2020
Comments are closed