Which rubbish, which bin?
Allerdale Borough Council is committed to reducing the waste produced in the borough by encouraging recycling as much as possible. Below is some guidance of how you can separate you waste and recycle as much as possible.
Please leave bins or bags out for collection at the edge of the property before 6am on the day of collection. Leave them out throughout the day as the crews may not come to your house at the same time each week.
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
Household waste
The council provides a refuse service from domestic properties. This waste is usually collected in a 120 litre black bin, but you may have another type. These are collected weekly.
If you feel you need a larger bin, as you have young children in nappies for instance, then you can request one from us.
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
Yes please
- Household waste items which are non recyclable
- Non recyclable films and plastics
- Tetrapaks (they can't be recycled via our kerbside recycling service)
- Unrecyclable food packaging
- Fish and meat bones
- Food waste you don't compost
- Tea and coffee grounds
No thanks
- Rubble
- Hazardous waste
- Empty or leftover paint tins
Black sacks
Properties which are not suitable for wheeled bins are allowed to have up to three black sacks collected each week. The contractor will leave replacement sacks (up to three) equivalent to the number of sacks collected.
Please leave bins or bags out for collection at the edge of the property before 6am on the day of collection. Please leave them out until 5pm, as the crews may not come to your house at the same time each week.
When is my household waste collected?
To check you household waste collection day use our bin collection calendar.
Glass, cans and plastic recycling
We collect glass, cans and plastics in either a green bin, or a black box depending on where you live. There are also a number of recycling points where you can put this recycling.
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
What can I put into my glass, cans and plastic recycling?
Yes please
- All types/colours of glass bottled and jars
- All metal food cans and pet food cans (steel or aluminium)
- Metal aerosol cans
- Plastic screw top bottles (including cleaning products) - please remove the tops and put them in the bag too
- Yogurt pots and food trays
No thanks
- Broken glass, panes of glass, glass cooking pots, drinking glasses
- Light bulbs
- Plastic film (Cling film type)
- Toothpaste tubes
- Tetrapaks (they can't be recycled)
- Paint pots
- chemicals
- Explosives
- Batteries
- Ink cartridges
I need another black box
You have the option to request an additional black box by filling in the eForm below.
When are my glass, cans and plastics collected?
To check you household waste collection day use our bin collection calendar.
Paper and card recycling
Blue lidded wheelie bins or green hessian sacks are used to collect paper and card and are collected every four weeks.
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
What can I put in the paper waste?
Yes please
- Any clean, dry paper or card
- Envelopes
- Leaflets
- Newspapers
No thanks
- Tetrapaks cannot be recycled using our kerb-side recycling service
- Waxy paper
- Films or plastic
When and where should I put out my blue lidded paper bin or green hessian sack?
If you use green hessian sacks they should be placed out for collection at the front of your property by 6am on collection day.
This generally applies to terraced properties even though refuse bins may be collected from the lane. Placing the sacks at the front will ensure residents receive any replacement sacks they may need as well as making collections much more efficient.
If you use a blue lidded paper bin it should be left in the same place as your household waste bin for collection.
When is paper recycling collected?
To check your paper and card bin collection day use our bin collection calendar.
Garden waste
Garden waste is collected in large green bins. We do not charge for this service.
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
What can I put in my garden bin?
Yes please
- Grass cuttings
- Branches and leaves
- Dead flowers
Shake as much soil off as possible. If the bin is too heavy it may break and end up in the back of the lorry.
Don't bag up the waste. Any plastic will contaminate it.
No thanks
- Soil and rubble
- Plant pots and trays
- Kitchen and vegetable waste
You can compost your peelings in a compost bin. More information about compost bins and the availability of special deals can be found on the Cumbria County Council website.
I have a big garden can I have more than one garden bin?
We can only provide you with one garden waste bin. If you have more garden waste you can take it to a household waste recycling centre .
You can also get a compost bin, often at a reduced price, from Recycle for Cumbria .
When is my garden waste collected?
To check your garden waste bin collection dates use our bin collection calendar.
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste regulations mean that you must not put the below into your household waste bin:
- Oil filters
- Antifreeze
- Brake fluid
- Spent oils
- Lead acid batteries
- Fluorescent tubes
- Paint
- Certain electrical goods
- TV and computer monitors
- Fridges and freezers
- Infectious clinical waste
- Asbestos
You can also find out more about what items can go in which bin with our A-Z recycling index .
What should I do with hazardous waste items?
You should take hazardous waste to any household waste recycling centre site and should check what the site is able to accept before travelling.
Private waste contractors will deal with hazardous and special waste arising from a trade or business.
Special precautions are needed when disposing of and moving hazardous waste such as asbestos.
Allerdale Borough Council offers a bulky item collection service to householders within the borough for a charge. The council will arrange collection and disposal of bulky household items (e.g. beds, wardrobes, three piece suites) and white goods (e.g. fridges, freezers, cookers).
Chemicals
We provide a chargeable service to collect chemicals from households as they are regarded as hazardous household waste.
If the chemical is in containers and identifiable as safe to move, our contractor will carry out the collection. If the chemical is unidentifiable, and therefore deemed to be potentially dangerous we may sub contract to a specialist waste company who have the equipment and necessary skills to deal with the chemicals and their safe removal.
Contact us to discuss the safe removal of chemicals from your property.
What time and where should I put out my waste and recycling?
Bins and boxes should be placed out for collection at the front of your property by 6am on collection day.
I've got too much recycling
Find out where the nearest household waste recycling centre is to your home.
Assisted collections
Assisted collections for household waste are available for residents who are unable to place their bin out for collection due to age, disability or other circumstances such as injury or illness. Register for this service using the form below.
Rural collections
Point of storage collections are available in rural areas where bins are collected up to one mile away from the main highway or where access to the property is prohibitive.
