New waste service frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What are the dimensions for 180l bin?

The dimensions for the pink lid, blue lid and black lid wheelie bins are:

• overall height lid (closed) - 1050mm
• width (at base, including wheels) - 578mm
• width (at top rim) - 546mm
• wheel diameter - 200mm
• depth - 645mm

I do not generate enough waste to fill a 180l bin every fortnight. Can I have a smaller bin?

Smaller bins are not currently available. We decided to collect with a 180 litre wheelie bin, because this size will provide enough space for waste.

What if we are a large family and produce a lot of waste, can we get a bigger bin?

If you produce a lot of household waste, please make sure you are recycling as much as possible.

If you find that the bins provided are not able to meet your needs, you can apply for larger bins if you meet any of the following criteria:

• households with six (6) or more permanent occupants
• households with 2 or more children in nappies or one or more adult using incontinence pads
• households with a medical need which results in large volumes of non-recyclable waste
• households with any other special requirements

Your household must be recycling everything that can be recycled, and you agree to ongoing monitoring of your bin use. The monitoring will consist of crews or Council staff recording which recycling bins are placed out for collection. This may involve crews sometimes looking at the contents of your bins before or on collection, or during the review and approval period.

The decision may be reversed if you are not complying with your recycling responsibilities, and your larger wheelie bins removed. This decision will be reviewed every 2 years.

How environmentally friendly are the new wheelie bins?

The new wheelie bins are made in Rotherham in the UK. The main body of all the new bins and the black lids are made from 100% recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE) sourced in the UK. Old HDPE products, including old wheelie bins, are ground down, melted and then injection moulded to become our new bins. The only new plastic used is to make the pink and blue lids. The wheelie bins are also recyclable.

Can I decorate my wheelie bin?

Yes, all wheelie bins remain the property of the Council, however whilst you are using the bin we encourage you to write your house number/address on it. It's also fine if you want to decorate your bin to make it more personal with paint, stickers, bin wraps etc. The only thing we ask is please do not cover the Southend logo or the colour of the bin lid (so we can check you are presenting the correct bins on the correct week).

I don't want a wheelie bin, I think they are ugly

We are sorry to hear you do not like the look of your new bins, however they are the standard design used by most neighbouring councils.

Using wheelie bins is part of the city's commitment to helping residents recycle more, improve the quality of recycling, reduce waste and to help meet the government recycling target of 65%. We hope you will see the benefits of your new bin over time.