New wheelie bins arrive in Redbridge!

Ripped rubbish sacks on the borough’s streets are set to become a thing of the past as homes across Redbridge start receiving their new wheelie bin from this week (March 1).

The boroughwide move to wheelie bins means residents can store and contain their rubbish more securely. It also prevents animals from ripping sacks open, and reduces split sacks on refuse collection days – all helping keep rubbish off the street. 

Residents will receive a grey wheelie bin between March and the end of May, along with information on how to use the bin and make the most of weekly recycling services, and also a sticker to remind users of what can go in it.

Residents are being asked to start using their new Redbridge wheelie bin as soon as it arrives as it will replace their existing rubbish sack collections. There is no change to the day of collection and collections will remain weekly.

What goes in the wheelie bin?

Residents should put items that cannot be recycled into their wheelie bins. This includes: 

• Nappies
• Plastic bags
• Food pouches
• Black bags
• Broken toys
• Drinks glasses
• Pet waste (litter, bedding, poop)
• Food waste
• Crisp packets
• Broken crockery
• Pyrex
• Polystyrene

With Redbridge collecting the 5th highest amount of rubbish in England, the bins should also encourage residents to recycle more to maximise space in their wheelie bin.

The 180-litre wheelie bin can store the equivalent of three full black sacks of rubbish. 

Residents don’t have to use black sacks in their new bin but they are recommended to bag their waste rather than throwing it in loose. 

Larger or smaller bins can be requested by households that meet the criteria.  

Following a boroughwide assessment, some properties were identified as unable to accommodate a wheelie bin – instead, these homes will be automatically moved onto the council’s red sack collection scheme, and will be provided with red sacks to contain and put out their rubbish for collection.

Households identified for the scheme will receive their free red sacks and instructions from this week (March 1).

The council also offers an ‘assisted collection’ to those who are eligible, and encourages residents who are struggling to move their bins, recycling boxes or red sacks to get in touch.

More information about assisted collections, requesting a larger or smaller bin, and other frequently asked questions about the scheme can be found on: www.redbridge.gov.uk/wheeliebin

Councillor Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Civic Pride said: “Following last year’s successful wheelie bin pilot, which saw a reduction in household rubbish, cleaner streets and an increase in recycling, we’re now rolling the scheme out across the borough.

“Our residents are keen to play their part to protect the environment, and so are we. Wheelie bins are a big step in the right direction towards cleaner streets and increasing recycling rates in the borough.

“We hope it will encourage residents to ensure they make full use of the weekly recycling collections. 

“The more you recycle, the better it is for the environment and the more space you will have in your wheelie bin for your other household waste.”

Bin amnesty offer for privately owned wheelie bins:

The council is offering a bin amnesty, giving residents the chance to have their privately owned wheelie bins disposed of free of charge. For more information please visit: www.redbridge.gov.uk/new-wheelie-bin-rubbish-collection/i-already-own-my-own-bin-can-i-still-use-it/