FAQsFrequently Asked Questions about Recycling
This section provides examples of frequently asked questions about recycling.
Q. When do I have to put out my recycling box?
A. The recycling box needs to be put out with your wheeled bin, at the edge of your property next to, but not on, the Highway or the pavement for collection. A separate vehicle and crew will collect your recyclable materials (paper, card and cans).
Q. What time do the collections start?
A. The collections will start from 6.00am, so make sure that your recycling box, garden sack(s) and wheeled bin are out at this time.
Q. What do I do if my collection is missed?
A. Occasionally a collection gets missed. If this happens ring the Council's Help Line on 01737 276000 and the staff will arrange for the collection to be carried out by the end of the next working day. Alternatively, report a missed collection online.
Q. How do I get hold of a recycling box?
A. You can order a recycling box online or ring the Council's Help Line on 01737 276000.
Q. How much recycling can I put out each week?
A. As much as you can. If you need a second recycling box please ring the Council's Help Line on 01737 276000.
Q. Does it matter if the recycling gets wet?
A. Do not worry if the recycling gets wet, it does not matter.
Q. Do I separate my cans and paper?
A. Simply put your cans at one end of the recycling box. NO plastic bags please. It causes problems when processing the cans.
Q. How do I stop the paper blowing about?
A. If you stack your paper and card vertically, it stops the wind blowing the paper out of the box and causing litter. Please do not rip paper into small pieces, this can also cause litter.
Q. What can I do with shredded paper?
A. Shredded paper can be placed inside a cereal packet or a paper bag to prevent litter. If you have a large amount then it is best to take it to a local recycling bank.Q. Do I have to wash out my cans?
A. Please wash out all your cans before putting them in the recycling box. It is safer for the people who have to collect and sort the cans.
Q. What can I do with cardboard boxes?
A. Please flatten all boxes as it saves space on the recycling collection vehicle and helps with the collection. Large delivery boxes, such as boxes for household items and furniture, need to be broken down. Please remove all polystyrene and packaging as this material is unacceptable and causes problems with reprocessing the paper and card.
Q. What can you do with your other recyclable items?
A. The Council cannot collect your glass and other material in the 'house to house' collection service. Please take plastic bottles, glass bottles, jars and textiles, including old clothes, soft toys and shoes, to your local recycling centre.
Q. What kind of glass can be recycled?
A. All glass bottles and jars, but not pyrex containers, window glass or drinking glasses.
Q. Some bottles are unusual colours, where should they go?
A. Unusually coloured bottles should be recycled through the green glass bank at your local site.
Q. Do you recycle plastics?
A. The Council conducted a plastics trial in the north of the Borough which ended in December 2002.
Since April 2005 the council has introduced plastic bottle banks at some recycling centres. We can only recycle plastic bottles (no bottle lids) and cannot accept items such as food trays, carrier bags, tubs and yoghurt pots. For more information see our section on plastics recycling.
Q. I live in a flat/shared house, how do I recycle?
A. Shared communal recycling bins are available for paper/card and mixed cans. If you would like to arrange this service please contact the Council's Help Line on 01737 276000.
Q. Where can I recycle tin foil?
A. Currently there are 17 recycling centres around the Borough. You can see a list of all recycling sites online. You can also take your silver foil to the Surrey County Council Civic Amenity sites. The nearest sites are Earlswood Civic Amenity, Horley Road, Redhill and Epsom Transfer Station, Blenheim Road, Epsom.
Q. Is there an alternative to disposable nappies?
A. Four per cent of rubbish collected consists of disposable nappies. Several nappy laundering services operate in this area. Cotton Bottoms (01798 8753000), Eezy Peezy (01959 534207) and Lollipop (01374 843535). Find more information on the Washable Nappy Project website.
Q. What about garden waste?
A. You can buy green sacks in rolls of 10 for £3.50 from
- Council offices (Helpshops, Town Hall & Earlswood Depot)
- Preston Neighbourhood Shop, Marbles Way (Monday-Wednesday 9am-12pm)
- Tattenham Library
- Reigate Library
- Harlequin box office (including evenings and Saturday)
- Woodhatch Community Centre
- Burgh Heath Community Coffee Shop
- Lyn News, Walton Street
- Redhill & Reigate Allotment Association, New Pond Farm, Woodhatch (Wednesday evening & Sunday)
- Tattenham Way Allotment Site (Sunday 9am-12pm)
- Smithy Lane Allotments (Sunday 9am-12pm)
Place your organic garden waste in the sacks and leave it out on your collection day. For more information see our section on garden waste.
Q. Does the Council supply home composters?
A. Periodically the Council facilitates a home composting sale through the Borough, which offers residents a home composter at a reduced price. Read about the Council's special offer on home composters
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
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