FAQsFrequently Asked Questions about recycling
This page 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 refuse bin, at the edge of your property next to, but not on, the Highway or the pavement for collection by 6:00am on our collection day. A separate vehicle and crew will collect your recyclable materials (paper, card and cans).
Please make sure the box is visible from the road to assist our collection crews.
Q. What time do the collections start?
A. The collections start from 6.00am, so make sure that your recycling box, garden waste bin/ sack and wheeled refuse bin are out at this time.
If the box or bin is not placed out by 6:00am on your collection day we will be unable to return until your next scheduled collection day.
Q. What do I do if my collection is missed?
A. Occasionally a collection gets missed. If this happens ring our Help Line 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 our Help Line.
Q. How much recycling can I put out each week?
A. As much as you can.
If you need a second recycling box free of charge please ring our Help Line or order a box online.
Q. Does it matter if the recycling gets wet?
A. Do not worry if the recycling gets wet, it does not matter to our reprocessors.
Q. Do I separate my cans and paper?
A. Simply put your cans at one end of the recycling box. The crews will then separate out the cans when collecting.
NO plastic bags please. Plastic bags causes problems when processing the paper and 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 and make sure all shredded paper is placed in a small box e.g. cereal or in a paper bag. Otherwise paper can escape from the vehicle and cause a littering problem.
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. Please do not place in a plastic bag.
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 vehicle and helps with the collection.
Large delivery boxes, such as boxes for household items and furniture, must be broken down as we are unable to collect large boxes. 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. Unfortunately we are not able to collect your glass bottles and jars, plastic bottles, textiles including old clothes and shoes or foil in the 'house to house' collection service. Please take this recycling 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 and jars should be recycled through the green glass bin.
Q. Do you recycle plastics?
A. Since April 2005 the Council has introduced plastic bottle banks at selected 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.
We are continually reviewing sites to see where we can introduced plastic bottles recycling at existing or at one of our new recycling centres. Space can often be limited at existing sites due to the number of bins that are required.
Please squash all bottles to save space in the bins and collection vehicle. For further information please visit our 'What can I recycle' section.
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 our Help Line or email Customer Services.
Q. Where can I recycle tin foil?
A. Currently there are various 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 Community Recycling Centre. The nearest sites are Earlswood, 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.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council in partnership with Surrey County Council are promoting a free trial nappy pack for residents within the borough.
For further information please visit our page on washable nappies.
Q. What about garden waste?
A. We provide a house to house collection of garden waste. For further information visit our section on the Garden Waste Service.
Q. Does the Council supply home composters?
A. The Council has joined up with the Recycle Now Home Composting Scheme to offer home composters at a discounted price.
For further information on this offer please visit our page on home composting or visit the Recycle Now Home Composting Campaign (external website, opens in new window), which also provides advice on how to compost.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is not responsible for the content of external sites.
