Where should I leave my refuse for collection?

The Council's Policy is to collect refuse from the kerbside of an adopted highway. However, some areas may have a specially designated central collection point. This often applies to sheltered housing and flats, although some streets/lanes may also have such an arrangement..

When should I put my refuse out for collection?

It is important that you put your refuse out at 7.00am on the morning of collection only. This helps to prevent a collection of waste building up before the designated collection day.

A refuse sack put out early will attract others!

Additionally, refuse put out before the collection day can be attacked by dogs, cats and other animals. This may result in rubbish strewn about the area in which you live or it being blown around during windy conditions.

Please note that it is illegal to put your refuse out before the designated collection day – persistent offenders are liable to prosecution by the Council.

What time will my refuse be collected?

Your refuse will be collected anytime between 7am and 4pm. It is therefore important that your refuse is put out ready for collection by 7am.

What should I do if my refuse collection is missed?

If you put out your refuse at the correct time and it contains only domestic household waste, it should be collected as normal. However, if for any reason your collection is missed, please telephone the Green Sweep Team on 01271 374776.



Does the Council supply refuse collection bags?

North Devon District Council only supply black bags to properties who put out bags instead of wheelie bins. The Council will deliver these to your door on an annual basis, normally sometime between December and February. You are provided with 52 sacks per year. If you should run out of sacks before the next annual delivery, you will need to purchase these yourself. They are available from the Direct Labour Unit, or alternatively they can be bought from most supermarkets/hardware stores.

What about garden waste?

If your rubbish is collected by the Refuse Compaction Vehicle, then you are elligible to have a green wheelie bin in which you can place your garden waste and cardboard.

You should not put out green side waste, the refuse crew will only take what is in your green wheelie bin. Surplus green waste can be saved till the following collection, taken to the Civic Amenity site or composted at home.

Garden waste is not collected as part of the normal refuse collection service and must not be put out for collection in black sacks. If it is, the refuse men will not collect these sacks.  

Alternatively you can apply for a free home composting kit.


Does the Council collect dead animals?

Yes. The Council will arrange for the collection of dead animals that are reported to be on a public highway/pavement. However, this does not apply to animals on private land, e.g. a public footpath running across private land.

If you want to report a dead animal, please telephone Environmental Health on 01271 388870. The Unit will confirm whether it can arrange for collection of the animal in question.

Anyone who cannot place their refuse out at the kerbside on collection day, due to ill health or disability, can apply for an assisted refuse collection. An assisted collection will only be authorised after an Environmental Warden has visited the property/resident to confirm the case is genuine and the resident has signed the appropriate paperwork.

Who should I contact if I have any further comments or compliments regarding the level of service provided?

We welcome your comments on how we can improve the way we deliver our services. If you have any comments, compliments or feel you need to complain about our service delivery; please write to the Head of Recycling and Commercial Services at the address below:

Customer Services
North Devon District Council
Civic Centre
North Walk
Barnstaple
Devon
EX31 1EA

Telephone: (01271) 388444
Email: customerservices@northdevon.gov.uk

(Please note that the Council has a set procedure for dealing with complaints. You will be advised of the outcome of the investigation, together with what action the Council proposes to take.)