Communal properties - advice for managing agents

Where a property has communal waste and recycling facilities, the Council and its contractors are responsible for collecting waste and recycling that has been presented correctly for collection.

The property owner, freeholder, managing agent or management company is responsible for the day-to-day management of any communal waste storage areas (e.g. bin stores) and communal containers (bins). They are also responsible for addressing contamination or misuse of facilities where it occurs.

This includes:

• Ensuring waste and recycling bin are accessible on collection day (this includes advising the Council if the security codes, keys or key fobs for access to the bin areas have changed)
• Keeping bin stores clean, safe and free from obstruction
• Monitoring the condition and use of communal waste and recycling facilities
• Providing residents with information about the correct use of waste and recycling bins
• Arranging the removal of incorrectly deposited waste or contamination that prevents collections from taking place
• Ensuring communal recycling bins contain only accepted recyclable materials
• Managing any accumulated waste within communal storage areas

The Council is required to provide arrangements for the separate collection of recyclable household waste, including from flats and other communal residential developments. Under the government's Simpler Recycling reforms, recyclable materials must be collected separately from residual (non-recyclable) waste from households, including flats. For this reason, we will not normally remove recycling facilities from communal developments where recycling services are provided.

Recycling containers must only contain accepted recyclable materials.

Where non-recyclable materials are placed in a recycling bin, the bin may be classified as contaminated.

What counts as contamination

Examples include:

• Non-recyclable waste placed in a food waste bin, a mixed recycling bin, or a cardboard and paper recycling bin
• Food waste placed in a mixed recycling bin
• Bagged recyclables in the mixed recycling bin (recycling must be kept loose)
• Batteries or electrical items placed in any waste or recycling bin
• Materials that are not recyclable from home placed in the mixed recycling bin (e.g. hard plastics like toys, or metal items like saucepans) which need to be taken to a recycling centre to be recycled

Contaminated recycling bins cannot be emptied as part of our recycling collection service because the contents cannot be sorted through the recycling process.
 

What happens to a contaminated bin

Where a recycling bin has been contaminated:

• The recycling collection may be refused
• The contamination must be removed before the bin can be presented for collection again
• Responsibility for removing the contamination rests with the property owner or managing agent
• Any costs associated with removing contaminated material are the responsibility of the property owner or managing agent
   

Helping to reduce contamination

Property owners and managing agents can help reduce contamination and so improve recycling by:

• Installing and maintaining clear signage within bin stores
• Distributing recycling information to residents on a regular basis
• Providing new residents with information about local waste and recycling arrangements
• Monitoring communal facilities and addressing contamination issues promptly
• Reporting damaged or missing containers to the Council
• Working with the Council to identify opportunities to reduce contamination and increase recycling rates

If waste accumulates in a communal bin store – whether as a result of contamination, misuse of facilities, overflow, or other site management issues – the responsibility for arranging clearance rests with the property owner or managing agent.

The Council may be able to arrange clearance through its contractor; however, this is a chargeable service, and the associated costs will be borne by the property owner or managing agent.

We recognise that managing communal waste and recycling facilities can be challenging, particularly at larger residential developments. To support property owners and managing agents, we can provide:

• Recycling information leaflets for residents
• Bin stickers and signage to help identify the correct containers
• Advice and guidance on the correct use of communal waste and recycling facilities
• Support in promoting recycling and reducing contamination

Managing agents experiencing persistent contamination issues are encouraged to contact us to discuss the support available and any measures that may help improve recycling performance at their development.
 

Why was our recycling bin not emptied?

Recycling bins will not be emptied if they contain non-recyclable materials or significant contamination. Contaminated recycling cannot be processed through the recycling waste stream and may result in an entire load being rejected.

For what counts as contamination, please see section above.

Who is responsible for removing contamination?

For communal waste and recycling facilities, responsibility for removing contamination rests with the property owner, freeholder, management company or managing agent.

The Council's role is to collect waste and recycling that has been presented correctly for collection.

Can the Council remove contamination?

Yes, we may be able to arrange removal through our contractor; however, this is a chargeable service, and the cost will be borne by the property owner or managing agent.

Who pays for contaminated recycling to be cleared?

Any costs associated with removing contamination or clearing accumulated waste resulting from contamination are the responsibility of the property owner or managing agent.

What happens after a recycling collection is refused?

Where a recycling collection has been refused due to contamination:

1. The contamination must be removed from the bin/s.
2. The bin/s should then be presented for collection at the next scheduled collection date.
3. Alternatively, the property owner or managing agent may arrange a chargeable clearance if required.

Will the Council return to empty a contaminated recycling container?

Generally, contaminated bins will be emptied at their next scheduled collection once the contamination has been removed.

Can the Council remove recycling containers from a communal development?

No. We are required to provide arrangements for the separate collection of recyclable household waste, including from flats and other communal developments. Removal of recycling facilities is therefore not normally considered an appropriate solution.

What can managing agents do to reduce contamination?

Managing agents can help reduce contamination by:

• Providing recycling information to residents
• Displaying clear signs within bin stores
• Using Council-provided bin stickers and signage
• Including waste and recycling guidance within resident welcome packs
• Monitoring bin stores and addressing issues promptly

Does the Council provide support to managing agents?

Yes. We can provide:

• Recycling leaflets for residents
• Bin stickers and signage
• Advice on improving recycling performance
• Guidance on reducing contamination at communal developments

If your development is experiencing persistent contamination issues, please contact the Waste Services team to discuss the support available

Why can't contaminated recycling simply be collected as general waste?

Recycling vehicles collect materials intended for processing through the recycling stream. Collecting contaminated recycling compromises the quality of recyclable materials and can result in entire loads being rejected. For this reason, contaminated recycling must be dealt with separately before collection can resume.

We have repeatedly experienced contamination issues. What should we do?

If contamination is a recurring problem, please contact us. We would be happy to discuss available support, provide educational materials and consider whether any future contamination-reduction initiatives or pilot schemes may be suitable for your development.

If you are a resident in a communal property looking for guidance on waste and recycling for your property, please check this page for more information.