Your green bin questions answered
How the green bin service works.
By using your green wheelie bin, you are helping to protect the environment in your local community.
It's time for us all to think about new ways of getting rid of our rubbish. Burying it in the ground on rubbish tips is damaging to the environment so we have to look at alternatives.
We feel that your green wheelie bin will help towards solving the problem as it means more of your rubbish gets recycled and means that you can play your part in protecting the environment.
1. What are the benefits of having a green wheelie bin?
It means you can recycle your garden waste and cardboard on your doorstep rather than having to drive to the tip or putting it in with the rest of your rubbish to get buried in the ground.
Burying green waste in rubbish tips causes damage to the environment because it produces greenhouse gases. Composting green waste significantly reduces these gas emissions. This new service means green waste is separated from your other rubbish and allows it to be collected from your doorstep, which is much better for everyone.
It may also save you money if, like many people, you currently pay someone to take your garden clippings and trimmings away.
2. What happens to the green waste once you've collected it?
Once it has been collected, the green waste is taken to a local site and shredded. It is then added to composting heaps. Once the composting process is complete, the compost can be used on local farmland, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
3. Is everyone getting this new service?
Not everyone will get a green bin as it simply won't be practical for some people.
For others, they will have to wait a little longer until we bring in some smaller bin-lifting lorries that will enable us to get into narrow streets and lanes and out to more rural areas.
It is our aim to give as many people as possible green bins to make it easier for them to recycle.
4. When will the green bin get emptied?
Your green bin will be emptied on alternate weeks to your black bin - in other words, green one week, black the next.
Look out for a calendar due to be delivered through your door that tells you which week is a green week and which is a black.
If you lose your calendar, contact Greensweep for a new one or use our collection day tool.
5. What can I put in the green bin?
You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail. If you didn't get one, contact Greensweep.
6. Can I put green waste in a plastic bag and then put it into the green bin?
No, the green bin should contain no plastic at all. Any green bins with plastic in will not be emptied.
7. Can I put soil and rubble into the green bin?
No. Don't put soil or stones in the green bin. These things will contaminate the compost we will make from the green waste.
8. What happens if I put food waste or other things apart from garden waste and cardboard in my green bin?
Please do not put anything else in your bin other than what we tell you too. Putting things like leftover food in amongst your garden waste will contaminate it and will mean we are not able to take it away and compost it.
9. What do I put into the black bin?
The black bin is only for rubbish that cannot be recycled. You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail. If you didn't get one, call Greensweep Direct.
10. Where do I put my dry recyclable stuff like tins, jars and plastic bottles?
All dry recyclables go into the green box and bag as usual. You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail.
11. When will the green box and bag be emptied?
The green box and bag will still be collected every week.
12. I cannot move the bin on my own. Can I get some help?
If you are permanently or temporarily disabled, we do offer an assisted collection service. This service needs to be pre-arranged with a Greensweep warden. For more details contact Greensweep.
13. I live in flats, but want to take part. Is there a solution for me?
Yes, communal bins are available to share with your neighbours. For more information, contact Greensweep.
14. Does the bin belong to me?
No, the bin remains the property of North Devon Council, but is left in your care, and you are responsible for it. If you move house you should leave the bin behind.
15. How do I look after my bin?
Always make sure the lid closes. The lid may get damaged during the collection process if the lid is not shut properly. Don't put anything hot in the bin as it's made of plastic. Occasionally, rinse out the bin with warm water and detergent to keep it fresh.
16. What if my wheelie bin gets broken or stolen?
Contact Greensweep and we will try to help. Damage caused on purpose could lead to prosecution with the person responsible picking up the costs if found guilty. Accidental loss may be replaced free of charge in the first instance.
We thank-you in advance for taking part in the green wheelie bin service, helping to improve the environment in your local community.
If you have any queries about your green wheelie bin, or have any other enquiries about Greensweep, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling Greensweep on 01271 374776 or email greensweepdirect@northdevon.gov.uk.
How the green bin service works.
By using your green wheelie bin, you are helping to protect the environment in your local community.
It's time for us all to think about new ways of getting rid of our rubbish. Burying it in the ground on rubbish tips is damaging to the environment so we have to look at alternatives.
We feel that your green wheelie bin will help towards solving the problem as it means more of your rubbish gets recycled and means that you can play your part in protecting the environment.
1. What are the benefits of having a green wheelie bin?
It means you can recycle your garden waste and cardboard on your doorstep rather than having to drive to the tip or putting it in with the rest of your rubbish to get buried in the ground.
Burying green waste in rubbish tips causes damage to the environment because it produces greenhouse gases. Composting green waste significantly reduces these gas emissions. This new service means green waste is separated from your other rubbish and allows it to be collected from your doorstep, which is much better for everyone.
It may also save you money if, like many people, you currently pay someone to take your garden clippings and trimmings away.
2. What happens to the green waste once you've collected it?
Once it has been collected, the green waste is taken to a local site and shredded. It is then added to composting heaps. Once the composting process is complete, the compost can be used on local farmland, reducing the need for chemical fertilisers.
3. Is everyone getting this new service?
Not everyone will get a green bin as it simply won't be practical for some people.
For others, they will have to wait a little longer until we bring in some smaller bin-lifting lorries that will enable us to get into narrow streets and lanes and out to more rural areas.
It is our aim to give as many people as possible green bins to make it easier for them to recycle.
4. When will the green bin get emptied?
Your green bin will be emptied on alternate weeks to your black bin - in other words, green one week, black the next.
Look out for a calendar due to be delivered through your door that tells you which week is a green week and which is a black.
If you lose your calendar, contact Greensweep for a new one or use our collection day tool.
5. What can I put in the green bin?
You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail. If you didn't get one, contact Greensweep.
6. Can I put green waste in a plastic bag and then put it into the green bin?
No, the green bin should contain no plastic at all. Any green bins with plastic in will not be emptied.
7. Can I put soil and rubble into the green bin?
No. Don't put soil or stones in the green bin. These things will contaminate the compost we will make from the green waste.
8. What happens if I put food waste or other things apart from garden waste and cardboard in my green bin?
Please do not put anything else in your bin other than what we tell you too. Putting things like leftover food in amongst your garden waste will contaminate it and will mean we are not able to take it away and compost it.
9. What do I put into the black bin?
The black bin is only for rubbish that cannot be recycled. You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail. If you didn't get one, call Greensweep Direct.
10. Where do I put my dry recyclable stuff like tins, jars and plastic bottles?
All dry recyclables go into the green box and bag as usual. You should have had a separate 'What goes where' leaflet that explains this in detail.
11. When will the green box and bag be emptied?
The green box and bag will still be collected every week.
12. I cannot move the bin on my own. Can I get some help?
If you are permanently or temporarily disabled, we do offer an assisted collection service. This service needs to be pre-arranged with a Greensweep warden. For more details contact Greensweep.
13. I live in flats, but want to take part. Is there a solution for me?
Yes, communal bins are available to share with your neighbours. For more information, contact Greensweep.
14. Does the bin belong to me?
No, the bin remains the property of North Devon Council, but is left in your care, and you are responsible for it. If you move house you should leave the bin behind.
15. How do I look after my bin?
Always make sure the lid closes. The lid may get damaged during the collection process if the lid is not shut properly. Don't put anything hot in the bin as it's made of plastic. Occasionally, rinse out the bin with warm water and detergent to keep it fresh.
16. What if my wheelie bin gets broken or stolen?
Contact Greensweep and we will try to help. Damage caused on purpose could lead to prosecution with the person responsible picking up the costs if found guilty. Accidental loss may be replaced free of charge in the first instance.
We thank-you in advance for taking part in the green wheelie bin service, helping to improve the environment in your local community.
If you have any queries about your green wheelie bin, or have any other enquiries about Greensweep, please do not hesitate to contact us by calling Greensweep on 01271 374776 or email greensweepdirect@northdevon.gov.uk.
