Recycling and waste changes: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What's changing?
2. When are the changes happening?
3. Why are you making these changes?
4. What is not changing?
5. Will my collection day change?
6. When will I receive my new containers?
7. How should I store my new containers?
8. What should I do with my old wheelie bin?
9. Can I get extra recycling containers?
10. How should I sort my recycling inside the home?
11. I need help sorting and recycling my waste. Can you please help me?
12. What is 'dry recycling'?
13. What is the 'Trolibocs'?
14. What should I put where?
15. I need to dispose of hygiene products (such as nappies, wipes or incontinence products). What do I do with these?
16. What do I do with used household batteries?
17. What do I do with small electrical items?
18. What do I do with clothes and textiles?
19. What do I do with non-recyclable waste?
20. What do I do with paper?
21. What do I do with cardboard?
22. What do I do with mixed metals, plastics and cartons?
23. What do I do with glass bottles and jars?
24. What do I do with food waste?
25. How should I present my recycling and non-recyclable waste for collection?
26. I'm unable to put my recycling and non-recyclable waste out for collection. Can you please help me with this?
27. I currently receive an 'assisted collection'. Will this continue?
28. Will garden waste collections be changing?
29. Why are you collecting my non-recyclable waste less often?
30. Won't collecting my non-recyclable waste less often create smells, flies, pests or vermin?
31. Won't collecting my non-recyclable waste less often cause an increase in fly-tipping?
32. What else can be recycled in Denbighshire?
33. What should I do with bulky waste?
34. What should I do with pet waste?
35. What happens to my recycling once you collect it?
36. What will happen if I accidently put the wrong items in my recycling containers?
37. What will happen if I don't recycle my waste?
38. Why have you collected some of my recycling and non-recyclable waste, but not all of it?
39. Why is the Council spending on a new Waste Transfer Station and Trolibocses when it's facing financial challenges?
40. How much are the changes costing?
41. My blue recycling bin is always full - will the new Trolibocs have enough room for what I need to recycle?

42. Why are the new trolibocs and bags being delivered now?

1. What's changing?

We are also introducing the following new, free collection services:

• Weekly collections for your used household batteries.
• Weekly collections for your small electrical items.
• Weekly collections for your absorbent hygiene products, including disposable nappies and other AHPs (registration is required for this service).
• 4-weekly collections for your clothes and textiles (provided by our partner Co-Options Social Enterprise).

Find out more about changes to recycling and waste collections.

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2. When are the changes happening?

The changes take effect from Monday 3 June 2024.

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3. Why are you making these changes?

We are introducing changes to recycling and waste collections to make it easier for households to recycle even more at home. Separating materials at source will improve the quality of recycling that we collect and will also mean more recyclable materials will remain within the UK and be recycled as new products. 

Recycling more and reducing waste is better for our environment, reducing our carbon emissions and helping to prevent climate change. As part of Welsh Government's 'Beyond Recycling' Strategy (external website), we are expected to recycle 70% of the waste we collect by 2025.

Find out more about why we are changing recycling and waste collections.

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4. What is not changing?

• Food waste collections. Food waste will continue to be collected weekly as normal.
• Garden waste collections. If you're registered for this chargeable service, we’ll continue to collect your garden waste, however your collection day may change for this service.
• Bulky item collections.
• Assisted collections.

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5. Will my collection day change?

Collection days will change for some households in Denbighshire only.

All households will have their recycling and non-recyclable waste collected on the same (regular) day of the week.

An information pack will be delivered with your new bins from 23 February 2024. The information pack will provide details about your new containers, what goes where and how the service changes will affect your household.

Bin collection dates

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6. When will I receive my new containers?

We will deliver new containers to Denbighshire households between 23 February and 17 May 2024.

An information pack will be delivered with your new bins from 23 February 2024. The information pack will provide details about your new containers, what goes where and how the service changes will affect your household.

If you have not received your new containers by 17 May 2024, please contact us.

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7. How should I store my new containers?

You can choose to store your new containers:

• outside,
• in your garden,
• in your garage or garden shed/container, or
• inside your home.

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8. What should I do with my old wheelie bin?

From Monday 3 June 2024, all households on the wheelie bin service will use a 240-litre bin for their non-recyclable waste collections. See: What do I do with non-recyclable waste?

From this date, please ensure your other wheelie bin is empty. We’ll collect it from outside home between 3 June and 2 August 2024 and we’ll either reuse or recycle it. We’ll confirm this date with you nearer the time.

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9. Can I get extra recycling containers?

Yes. If, after a few weeks of using the new service, you need extra containers for your recycling – or a supply of food waste caddy liners – please visit our website to find out how you can order these items for free.

Please remember to save space in your containers by safely crushing or squashing your metal, plastic, and carton items where possible, and cutting cardboard, to ensure they fit in your bags.

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10. How should I sort my recycling inside the home?

How you manage your recycling inside your home will be up to you and will be an individual choice. If you’d like any advice or help to sort your recycling, please contact us.

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11. I need help sorting and recycling my waste. Can you please help me?

We have a team of Recycling Officers that can:

• give you advice and guidance about all our recycling and non-recyclable waste services, and
• support you to maximise your recycling and minimise your non-recyclable waste.

To arrange for one of our Recycling Officers to visit you in your home, please contact us.

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12. What is 'dry recycling'?

'Dry recycling' includes dry materials that can be recycled. These include:

• Paper, such as: letters, envelopes, magazines, newspapers, brochures, catalogues and printed paper.
• Mixed metals, plastics and cartons, such as:
  • Metal cans, tins, empty aerosols and clean foil.
  • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
  • Food and drink cartons, such as Tetra Pak.
  • Metal lids from glass bottles and jars.
• Glass bottles and jars (no tops or lids).
• Cardboard, such as: cardboard sleeves for food packaging (ready-meals and multipacks), egg boxes, toilet / kitchen roll tubes, cereal boxes, greeting cards (without badges, bows, foil, glitter or ribbons).

Find out what goes where in your new recycling containers.

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13. What is the 'Trolibocs'?

The Trolibocs is a system of 3 stackable boxes for households on the standard (wheelie bin) service to place their separated dry recycling for weekly collection.

Households can put the following dry recycling in their Trolibocs:

• Top box (with blue lid):
  • Paper, such as: letters, envelopes, magazines, newspapers, brochures, catalogues and printed paper.
• Middle box (with red flap):
  • Mixed metals, plastics and cartons, such as:
    • Metal cans, tins, empty aerosols and clean foil.
    • Plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
    • Food and drink cartons, such as Tetra Pak.
    • Metal lids from glass bottles and jars.
• Bottom box (with green flap):
  • Glass bottles and jars (no tops or lids).

Note: Cardboard must be placed in the separate blue reusable bag provided (households on the standard (wheelie bin) service).

Find out more about the Trolibocs.

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14. What should I put where?

You can find out what to put where in our 'What goes where?' guide.

An information pack will be delivered with your new bins from 23 February 2024. The information pack will provide details about your new containers, what goes where and how the service changes will affect your household.

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15. I need to dispose of hygiene products (such as nappies, wipes or incontinence products). What do I do with these?

From June 2024, we are introducing free, county-wide, weekly collections for your absorbent hygiene products, including disposable nappies and other AHPs.

If you register for this service, we’ll collect this waste from you every week.

Find out more and register for the Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections service.

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16. What do I do with used household batteries?

From June 2024, we are introducing free weekly collections for your household batteries.

We can collect your used household batteries (AAA, AA, B, C, D, DD and 9V batteries) in a pink battery clip for households on the standard (wheelie bin) service or single-use plastic bag for households on the bag service.

Find out more about new weekly collections for your used household batteries.

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17. What do I do with small electrical items?

From June 2024, we are introducing free weekly collections for your small electrical items.

We can collect your small electrical items (such as toasters and electric shavers) every week. Please place your small electrical items loosely on top of your Trolibocs for collection (or loosely on top of one of your reusable bags for households on the bag service).

Find out more about new weekly collections for your small electrical items.

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18. What do I do with clothes and textiles?

From June 2024, you can recycle your unwanted textiles using a free new collections service provided by our partner, Co-Options Social Enterprise.

• Co-Options Social Enterprise will collect any filled sacks from your kerbside every 4 weeks.
• When we deliver your new recycling containers, we'll also give you a single-use white sack for your textiles.*
• Please put any unwanted textiles, including clothing and shoes, in the sack - tie it securely and put out for collection on your collection date.
• You can put out as many single-use white sacks for textile collections as you like.
• To order more single-use white sacks, please contact Co-Options Social Enterprise (external website).

Find out more about the new 4-weekly textile collection service, provided by our partner 'Co-Options Social Enterprise'.

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19. What do I do with non-recyclable waste?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

For households on the bag service:

Non-recyclable waste will be collected every week from your black reusable bag (containing up to 1 full, single-use pink sack of non-recyclable waste).

For households on the communal bin service:

Non-recyclable waste will be collected every 4 weeks from your black 4-wheeled container.

Find out more about changes to non-recyclable waste collections.

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20. What do I do with paper?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

Please recycle your paper in your Trolibocs (top box with blue lid).

For households on the bag service:

Please recycle your paper in your dark blue reusable bag.

For households on the communal bin service:

Please recycle your paper in your black bin with dark blue sticker.

Find out more in our 'What goes where?' guide.

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21. What do I do with cardboard?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

Please recycle your cardboard in your blue reusable bag.

For households on the bag service:

Please recycle your cardboard in your blue reusable bag.

For households on the communal bin service:

Please recycle your cardboard in your black bin with blue sticker.

Find out more in our 'What goes where?' guide.

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22. What do I do with mixed metals, plastics and cartons?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

Please put your mixed metals, plastics and cartons in your Trolibocs (middle box with red flap).

For households on the bag service:

Please put your mixed metals, plastics and cartons in your red reusable bag.

For households on the communal bin service:

Please put your mixed metals, plastics and cartons in your black bin with red sticker.

Find out more in our 'What goes where?' guide.

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23. What do I do with glass bottles and jars?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

Please put your glass bottles and jars (no tops or lids) in your Trolibocs (bottom box with green flap).

For households on the bag service:

Please put your glass bottles and jars (no tops or lids) in your turquoise reusable bag.

For households on the communal bin service:

Please put your glass bottles and jars (no tops or lids) in your black bin with turquoise sticker.

Find out more in our 'What goes where?' guide.

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24. What do I do with food waste?

For households on the standard (wheelie bin) service:

Please continue to put your food waste in your orange caddy (and smaller silver caddy for use indoors).

For households on the bag service:

Please continue to put your food waste in your orange caddy (and smaller silver caddy for use indoors).

For households on the communal bin service:

Please continue to put your food waste in your brown wheelie bin.

Find out more in our 'What goes where?' guide.

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25. How should I present my recycling and non-recyclable waste for collection?

• Use the correct containers for your recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
• Ensure that any bags and food waste caddy liners are tied securely.
• Ensure that the lids and flaps on your caddies and Trolibocs containers are closed.
• Only use containers provided by Denbighshire County Council.
• Ensure that your containers are out for collection by 6:30am on your collection day.
• Collect your containers from your collection point as soon as possible once we have emptied them.

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26. I'm unable to put my recycling and non-recyclable waste out for collection. Can you please help me with this?

If you're temporarily or permanently unable to put your recycling and non-recyclable waste out for us to collect due to you having limited mobility, and there is no one else to help you, you may contact us to apply for an 'assisted collection' and we will assess your situation. An 'assisted collection' is when our crews collect your recycling and non-recyclable waste from an agreed collection point that’s convenient, easy, and safe for you to access.

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27. I currently receive an 'assisted collection'. Will this continue?

Yes. If you currently receive an 'assisted collection', we’ll continue to provide this service for you. You don't need to register again for this service.

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28. Will garden waste collections be changing?

Garden waste will continue to be collected every 2 weeks for households with a subscription to this service, however your collection day may change for this service.

We can collect your garden waste fortnightly for an annual fee.

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29. Why are you collecting my non-recyclable waste less often?

On average, almost 33% of the materials put in non-recyclable containers can usually be recycled. By increasing the frequency of recycling collections to every week, households will be able to recycle even more materials and will generate less non-recyclable waste.

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30. Won't collecting my non-recyclable waste less often create smells, flies, pests or vermin?

Households can avoid potential problems with smells, flies, pests or vermin by:

• Recycling their food waste every week, using our weekly collections service.
• Registering for our free, weekly Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) collections service for collection of hygiene products (such as nappies and incontinence products), if households produce this type of waste.

Our food waste liners are used to contain food waste and to help prevent any smells. Our orange food waste caddies have lockable lids which are designed to prevent flies, pests and vermin.

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31. Won't collecting my non-recyclable waste less often cause an increase in fly-tipping?

By increasing the frequency of recycling collections to every week, households will be able to recycle even more materials and generate less non-recyclable waste.

We expect that households will have enough space in their non-recyclable containers to put their waste that cannot be recycled.

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of household or commercial waste on land which has no licence to accept waste, such as on a roadside or in a field. If you fly-tip, you could end up paying a fixed penalty or end up in court and fined.

If you need to dispose of bulky household items you no longer want (such as beds, carpets, fridges, freezers and wardrobes), you can take these to your local Waste and Recycling Park for disposal or you can request and pay for a bulky item collection.

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32. What else can be recycled in Denbighshire?

You can recycle a wide range of materials at your local Waste and Recycling Park.

We have five permanent Recycling and Waste Parks that residents can use for their domestic waste. We also have a Dee Valley residents' Pop-up Recycling Service.

Recycling and Waste Parks.

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33. What should I do with bulky waste?

If you have a household item that’s too large for you to take to your local Recycling and Waste Park, you can arrange for a bulky item collection, where we will collect your item(s) for a small fee.

For information or to book a bulky item collection, visit our website or contact us.

Bulky item collections

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34. What should I do with pet waste?

Any pet waste should be placed in your non-recyclable bin. The current wheelie bin is a hygienic, leak proof and odour resistant method of storing household waste pending collection. Based on information from other Councils who have already moved to less frequent collections, the storage of waste in the bin for four weeks as opposed to two weeks does not compromise this.

We encourage responsibly bagging any waste that could cause an odour. As long as pet waste and animal bedding is securely bagged and sealed, it should not cause any more issues in terms of odours than the current fortnightly collection frequency.

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35. What happens to my recycling once you collect it?

To find out what happens to your recycling once we collect it, and where each separate material goes, visit My Recycling Wales (external website).

To find out what your recycling becomes, visit Wales Recycles (external website).

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36. What will happen if I accidently put the wrong items in my recycling containers?

It’s important you put the correct items in the correct containers, and that your recycling containers don’t contain materials that can’t be recycled. However, we recognise anyone can make a mistake.

If you put out a container that’s too full or too heavy, or it includes items that shouldn’t be there, our crews will place a sticker or tag on it asking you to correctly sort its contents in time for your next collection.

If you’re unsure of where to put certain items, take a look at our online ‘A-Z Recycling Guide’, which will explain how to recycle or dispose of them correctly from June 2024. If you’re still unsure about how to dispose of certain items correctly, please contact us.

See: What goes where?

If you realise you’ve put something in the wrong container after we’ve collected your recycling, please don’t worry – just try to remember to get it right next time. Please also remember to remove the sticker or tag from your container, then put it in your wheelie bin for non-recyclable waste.

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37. What will happen if I don't recycle my waste?

Most people in Denbighshire sort their waste and recycle what they can – thanks to those of you that are doing your bit. But sadly, a few people aren’t doing all they could be, and could have to pay a fixed penalty of £100 or appear in court.

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38. Why have you collected some of my recycling and non-recyclable waste, but not all of it?

Whilst we collect your recycling and non-recyclable waste on the same day, we collect them in separate vehicles, at different times between 7am and 3pm. Please wait until the next working day to report any missed collections and check our website or social media accounts for information about any disruptions to our collection services.

And please remember, whilst we collect all your recycling every week, we collect your garden waste every two weeks (if you’re registered for this service) and your non-recyclable waste every four weeks. To check your collection dates, visit our website.

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39. Why is the Council spending on a new Waste Transfer Station and Trolibocses when it's facing financial challenges?

We are spending money to change the waste service because we feel very strongly that the environment is important. The new model will enable us to improve recycling rates, and that is important from an environmental perspective.

We are building a new Waste Transfer Station because we need to have the facility to segregate recyclable materials collected from homes and businesses across the county. While at the station, material is further sorted and separated before being sent to various facilities for processing. The separated materials are baled and stored, and then to someone who will reprocess the material.

There are several reasons why developing the waste transfer station and changing the waste service makes sense, financially:

1. We currently collect all the recycling together in one container, and we have to pay for it to be taken away and separated by an external company. The cost of this is continuing to increase and shows no signs of reducing. We used to receive an income for our mixed recycling, but we now have to pay a significant amount of money for it to be separated for us.
2. The new 'Kerbside sort' service will mean that the Council will be able to deal with the recycling ourselves because there will be less for us to do to sort it into the different materials. This means that we avoid the significant cost of having to pay someone to do this for us with specialist equipment. We will also be able to sell the recyclable material to others who will then turn it into other products. Therefore we not only remove a big cost, but we also generate income from the recycling.
3. We need to meet the new statutory target for recycling rates in Wales. That target is 70%, and Denbighshire have been recycling at around 64% for several years. If we don’t meet the new statutory target, the council can be fined significant sums by Welsh Government.
4. As the recycling is currently all mixed together, our waste operatives are unable to spot items that can’t be recycled, which means that the recycling we send to be separated is often ‘contaminated’. The council gets fined if there is significant contamination of the recycling, and this adds additional costs for the council, and ultimately the taxpayer.

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40. How much are the changes costing?

The changes are costing a total of £21.9m, of which £12m has been provided by Welsh Government to help us deliver the environmental improvements that will be delivered by the new service. The remaining £9.9m has been provided by Denbighshire County Council, either from cash reserves (£1m) or prudential borrowing (£8.9m). However, the new recycling and non-recyclable waste collections service will be cheaper to run than the existing service, even after we consider the cost of the borrowing repayments. This makes it good value for money for the residents of Denbighshire.

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41. My blue recycling bin is always full - will the new Trolibocs have enough room for what I need to recycle?

Currently, your recycling is collected fortnightly and the general capacity is 240 litres. The Trolibocs and the reusable bag for cardboard have a capacity of 290 litres, plus they will be collected every week. This is the same for households not on the Trolibocs system. The result is that you will have double the capacity that you currently have for your recycling.

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42. Why are the new trolibocs and bags being delivered now?

We’re having to deliver the new trolibocs and bags early as there are 45,000 of them to get out to residents before 3 June. This is currently being done by our waste crews.

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