The Importance of Refuse Bin Management

For those living in residential blocks, managing refuse bins can be a tricky issue. It’s often seen as a grey area where responsibilities aren’t always clear. Understanding the rules surrounding refuse bin placement and management is essential for smooth operations.

Types of Bins and Local Authority Regulations

Local Authorities typically determine the number and types of bins needed for a residential development. The type of bins required depends on factors like:

• Waste carrier and truck type used in the area.
• Bin types include Paladin, Eurobin, Wheelie Bin, or individual bins.

Waste control departments meet with developers to determine the appropriate bin type for the site

Bins for Larger Developments

For larger developments, Local Authorities are responsible for removing domestic waste for free. However, new pilot schemes in certain areas might charge or penalize residents who don’t recycle or generate excessive waste. The options for obtaining necessary bins are:

• Outright purchase or rental.
• Renting bins costs about 1/3rd of the cost of purchasing them.

Planning the Bin Area

The location of the bin area is usually decided at the planning stage of a new development. For gated developments, special considerations must be taken:

• Access for waste trucks and key fob issues.
• The distance from the public roadway and hazards like steps may also be considered by Local Authorities.

Waste Collection Frequency and Services

Typically, residential collections happen weekly, but some Local Authorities are opting for less frequent collections to encourage recycling. For high-density developments, waste collections may be adjusted to meet specific needs and cost-saving measures. Additionally, some Local Authorities offer bulky item collection for furniture and appliances, though certain materials like building rubble are not collected.

Additional Waste Disposal Services

As waste disposal becomes more regulated, many Local Authorities provide services for disposing of:

• Bulky household items like old furniture and appliances.
• Small amounts of building materials (if bagged) are often accepted at local refuse tips for free.

Leaseholdersupport.co.uk offers additional support to help manage these issues with 130 free fact sheets and online tools.