New waste service frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What if I am staying on sack collections?

All properties in Southend have been assessed to check that they have space to store wheelie bins and that it is accessible to move wheelie bins in and out of this space. If your property is not suitable for wheelie bins you will continue to remain on weekly a sack and box collection service:

• black sacks (provided by resident) for waste that cannot be recycled collected weekly
• pink sack (provided by us) for clean and dry recycling materials collected weekly
• blue box for clean and dry paper and card collected weekly
• green garden waste sacks (by subscription) collected weekly
• blue food waste caddy - collected weekly

I have had bins delivered; however, I have had my letter confirming I am remaining on sack collection/have had a review which means I am on sack collection. What is the process for reporting this?

Where bins have been delivered and their assessment is changing from wheelie bins to sacks, our contractor will return to collect them in due course. Please leave them in a suitable place outside your property for the time being. Please be mindful of pedestrians and do not block the public highway.

Why do I see the bin operatives putting pink sacks in with black sacks?

The bin operatives assess each sack before loading them into the lorries before deciding where it should go. They may put a pink sack in with black sacks. This could be for two reasons:

1. The pink sack contains recycling that is contaminated such as dirty recycling or general waste included within the recycling.
2. The pink sack is general waste, for example contains no recycling.

Because of this, the pink sack must be disposed of with general waste. It is important to make sure recycling is clean and not contaminated.