Recycling Collection
This is a kerbside collection service that allows you to send
your waste for recycling rather than to a landfill
site. Bedford Borough Council provides a fortnightly
collection service using an orange lidded bin or
orange sacks to supplement your normal weekly rubbish
collection and your fortnightly garden waste collections.
How do I start recycling?
The council provides a standard amount of recycling containers
free of charge, it also provides some extra capacity free of
charge. For those producing more recycling there is also the
ability to purchase additional containers. Please see the
diagrams below for more details:
You can order an orange lidded bin or a supply
of sacks (for properties that cannot accommodate a bin) by
calling us on 01234 267422 or you can order
a bin or sacks by completing the online request form
below:
Your Recycling Guide
Download your copy of the latest Recycling Guide which includes
a copy of the collection calendar and information on
recycling:
DOWNLOAD
THE 2011-12 RECYCLING GUIDE
For a seperate copy of the collection calendar click below:
DOWNLOAD THE
11/12 RECYCLING COLLECTION CALENDAR
What can be recycled in my orange lidded bin or
sacks?
|
Yes please
|
No thanks
|
|
Food tins & drinks cans
|
Glass bottles & jars
|
|
Aluminium foil & empty aerosol cans
|
Garden waste
|
|
Paper (incl. envelopes, catalogues and junk mail)
|
Kitchen waste
|
|
Cardboard
|
Electrical appliances
|
|
Plastic packaging (incl. trays, punnets, pots, bottles, bags and
wrapping)
|
Nappies
|
|
Worn out clothing, household fabrics and shoes
|
Car parts
|
| |
Carpets & other DIY waste
|
Remember to put all of your recyclable items into
your orange bin loose (there is no need to separate materials into
different bags).
DOWNLOAD THE
RECYCLING PICTURE LEAFLET
Still unsure about what to put in
your orange lidded recycling bin or sacks? Watch our video on
YouTube, created by the Recycling Support Team, to find out exactly
what items can be recycled. Recycle for Bedford Borough - it's
easy!
YouTube video - What
goes in your recycling bin?
For a comprehensive list of all the materials that can and cannot
be recycled download our A-Z recycling
guide. If there are materials that you are still unsure
about, please contact the Recycling Team at recycling@bedford.gov.uk.
On collection day
Please put your bin or bags out for collection by 7.00am on your
collection day. If you use orange bags
please tie the top and put them next to your black
wheeled bin. If you use a bin, please make sure the bin is removed
back on to your property as soon as possible after your collection
has been made.
Your recycling will be collected by a separate vehicle to that
used for your normal rubbish and taken for recycling.
My bin or bags have not been collected,
what can I do?
If your orange bin has not been emptied or bags
collected, please contact Customer Services as soon as
possible on 01234 267422.
My orange lidded bin is full, what can I
do?
Here are some tips to help you maximise the
space in your bin and minimise your waste:
- Reduce the waste you produce by careful shopping. Look for
products with less packaging, buy fruit and vegetable loose and
consider buying in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
- Stop unwanted junk mail by signing up with the Mailing
Preference Service at www.mpsonline.org.uk or by calling 08457
034599.
- Squash and flatten any plastic containers, tins, cans and
cardboard;
- Place items loose in the orange lidded bin, do not leave it in
bags or sacks.
- Take large cardboard boxes to Bedford’s Household Waste
Recycling Centre as these can take up lots of space in your
bin.
Additional recycling containers are are available, see the
diagram at the top of this page. For larger families it
may be appropriate to provide larger orange lidded recycling
containers. For more information please contact Customer Services
on 01234 267422.
Where does my recycling go?
All recycling collected in Bedford Borough is
taken to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at Elstow and from
there some material
goes to Milton Keynes for further sorting. At Elstow, recycling is
all sorted by hand on a conveyor belt so it is important that the
correct materials are put in the orange lidded bins and bags. Once
everything is sorted into the different materials they are sent to
a reprocessor who recycles them into new things.
Download a
guide to find out what happens at the MRF
Tours of the MRF
Tours around the MRF at Elstow are available
to school and interest groups during the day when the facility is
in operation. The MRF also has an education room where school
groups can learn about waste and recycling through a variety of
activities.
To book a tour please contact the
Environmental Education Team on 01234 276517.
Adverse Weather - Refuse &
Recycling Collections
When adverse weather affects the normal collection of waste from
households our Waste Management Team implement a recovery plan to
ensure disruption is kept to a minimum for residents and to
prioritise the collection of rubbish.
Download a copy of the Adverse
Weather Refuse & Recycling Collections Recovery
Plan