Guide to Bins, Boxes and Collections

In East Herts we have refuse bins, recycling bins, garden waste bins and paper boxes. Read our guide to what goes in each bin and how and when they will be collected.

Bin Collections

East Herts Council has an alternate refuse and recycling collection service. This means your refuse wheeled bin is collected fortnightly on your waste week with your recycling bin collected on the alternate week.

We also offer a paid for Garden Waste Collection service. If you subscribe to this service your garden waste will be collected from your garden waste bin, along with your recycling bin, fortnightly.

Please note the following;

  • Only items that cannot be composted or recycled should go into your refuse bin or sacks.
  • East Herts Council provides each household in the district with one refuse bin and one recycling bin.
  • Only waste contained within the refuse wheeled bins will be collected.
  • For residents who have difficult access or no front or rear garden we operate a sack collection service. In these circumstances we also provide a green paper box and a recycling box which will be collected fortnightly on your recycling week. More boxes are available on request.
  • We offer a kerbside collection service; this means your bin must be presented with the lid closed at the kerbside of your property by 7am.
  • The kerbside of your property is where the front of your property / garden meets the public highway (pavement or road).
  • Operatives will not step onto your property. Extra waste left at the side of the bins or placed on top of the bins will not be collected.
  • If you are not physically able to place your bins on the kerbside you may qualify for an Assisted Bin Collection.
  • If you have a bin that is damaged or you have a bin missing please, Request a replacement bin for your property.

Contamination

If any of your bins contain items which are not acceptable it will NOT be emptied as this is considered contamination. You must remove the contamination and the crew will collect it on your next scheduled collection date. We will not return for contaminated bins.

Recycling bin collections

Recycling is collected mixed via your recycling bin. The only separating you will need to do is placing paper in your paper box.

East Herts Council provides each household in the district with one recycling bin.

Please Note: We do not accept additional bags or boxes of recycling alongside of your recycling bin, this includes large cardboard (which should be contained within the recycling bin).

Guide to recycling bins (If you are viewing via mobile, please tilt horizontally to see all columns)

Yes Please No thanks
  • Aerosol cans
  • Aluminium foil
  • Biscuit tins
  • Butter tubs
  • Cardboard (no sticky tape or labels)
  • Cartons
  • Cereal boxes
  • Drink cans
  • Egg cartons - cardboard
  • Egg cartons - plastic
  • Foil
  • Food tins
  • Fruit punnets
  • Glass - bottles and jars
  • Ice-cream containers
  • Jars
  • Kitchen roll tubes
  • Margarine tubs
  • Microwave meal trays
  • Milk bottles - plastic
  • Plastic bottles - put the lids in separately
  • Plastic plant/flower pots
  • Plastic sweet containers/tubs
  • Plastic food trays
  • Tetra Packs
  • Tin Foil
  • Toilet roll tubes
  • Toothpaste tubes
  • Washing powder boxes
  • Yoghurt pots
  • Caddy liners without the seedling logo
  • Cardboard with sticky tape/labels
  • Carpet
  • Cat Litter
  • Household waste
  • Plant post and planters
  • Polystyrene
  • Soft Plastics such as carrier bags
  • Soil
  • Turf

*Please note that you shouldn't put soft plastic in your recycling bin, this should be placed in your refuse bin.*

Some examples of soft plastic include:

  • all plastic carrier bags from supermarkets and shops
  • black bags and plastic liners
  • food bags e.g. cereal packets, vegetable/fruit/bread bags etc
  • film plastic packaging on food punnets and meat trays
  • cling film/shrink wrap
  • film wrap on magazines, postal packaging etc

Can't find the item you're looking for in the list? Check our A-Z.

Kerbside Paper Box collections

Residents have the option of using either an inner paper box (if they have one) for separated paper which sits inside the recycling bin or kerbside box for paper. 

You can place additional paper out for collection in a kerbside box if you need to.

If you would like a kerbside box for your paper please complete our new or replacement bin form

(Please note that we are no longer issuing inner paper boxes or box lids) 
 

Please only put the following items in the inner paper/ kerbside box

  • Brochures
  • Catalogues
  • Directories
  • Envelopes - white only (please remove plastic windows)
  • Junk mail
  • Magazines/ Newspapers
  • Shredded paper
  • Yellow Pages

Can't find the item you're looking for in the list? Check our A-Z.

Refuse bin collections

Your refuse bin should only be used for items which are not able to be recycled. 

For advice on textiles, see our clothing and textile reuse and recycling page for more information/

These items and many others below can be recycled, often at Local Household Waste & Recycling Centres 

Guide to refuse bins (If you are viewing via mobile, please tilt horizontally to see all columns)
Yes Please No thanks
  • Ash (once cooled)
  • Black sacks
  • Bubble wrap
  • Carrier bags
  • Cereal bags
  • Cling film
  • Crisp packets
  • Drinking glasses
  • Nappies
  • Plastic bags - not widely recycled but often supermarkets offer recycling
  • Plastic film/wrap
  • Polystyrene - expanded/white - usually found in packaging
  • Pyrex
  • Tape - sticky parcel tape
  • Wrapping paper
  • Batteries
  • Bricks and Rubble
  • Clothing*
  • Duvets
  • Electrical Items
  • Unused Paint

Can't find the item you're looking for in the list? Check our A-Z.

Garden waste bin collections

This bin is for garden waste.

If you find your garden waste bin is regularly full, home composting can reduce the amount of food and garden waste you generate - check out our guide to home composting.

Find out more about what can go in your garden waste bin on our Garden Waste page.