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FAQs Recycling and Refuse
Please click on the links below for answeres to frequently asked questions:
 For more information on liners in the grey bin please click the link.
What is the Tri-Cycle Scheme?
Why has Castlereagh Borough Council introduced the Scheme?
How many households will be participating in the scheme?
I live in a Tri-Cycle Scheme Area, what do I need to do?
Will there be enough space in my grey bin?
What can I do with my excess waste?
Are Bags allowed in Blue Bins or Brown Bins?
Why do I have to Recycle?
Is Castlereagh the only Council doing this?
Why Alternate Weeks?
Is this a reduction in the service I receive for my rates?
Can I get an extra box?
Will collection arrangements change in the winter months?
Why will the Council not lift my excess waste?
When will extra refuse sacks be removed?
What can I not put in my Blue Bin?
What if I do put the wrong things in my Blue Bin or Brown Bin?
I am physically unable to wheel my bin to the footpath, what can I do?
My bin is too big for my needs
Can I purchase an additional grey bin?
I do not wish to participate in the scheme
What is accepted in my brown bin?
Why can I not recycle ALL my plastic containers?
What happens if I decide to dump my excess waste?
I have Medical Waste & I am on the Tri-Cycle Scheme, what can I do?
What happens if my Bin needs replaced?
What is the Tri-Cycle Scheme?
The Tri-Cycle Scheme is a kerbside recycling service provided to households within the borough. It makes recycling more convenient and accessible and allows households to recycle a range of mixed dry recyclables and compostable garden waste.
Households will have either a Bryson Recycling 'Kerbie' Boxes or Blue Bin for their mixed dry recyclables and a Brown Bin for their compostable garden waste. Households on the Scheme will have their Bryson Recycling 'Kerbie' Boxes emptied weekly. However, the Blue Bin and Brown Bins will be emptied on the same day every other week with the grey/black landfill bin being emptied in between.
Approximately 95% of the borough is currently on the Scheme. If you are not already on the Scheme, please contact the Technical & Environmental Services Department for further information.
Why has Castlereagh Borough Council introduced the Scheme? The Council has introduced the Tri-Cycle Scheme to make recycling more convenient and accessible for its ratepayers and to divert waste away from landfill, so as to meet the statutory waste diversion targets laid down by the European Union and Central Government. The Council must modernise its waste management practices and find sustainable alternatives. If the Council did not introduce the Tri-Cycle Scheme it would not meet its waste diversion targets. If these targets are not achieved, the Council will face the prospect of substantial punitive fines that will have to be paid for by its ratepayers. This proposition is unacceptable.
The suggestions that services have been diluted and the Scheme is a cost saving exercise are misguided. Every Council in Northern Ireland is faced with the same challenges and choices and is having to review how it manages its waste.
How many households will be participating in the scheme?
The Scheme will be provided to all households within the borough. At present there are approximately 16,000 households using the Bryson Recycling Kerbie Boxes and Brown Bin and approximately 11,500 households using the Blue Bin and Brown Bin.
I live in a Tri-Cycle Scheme Area, what do I need to do?
Please see Kerbside Collection webpage for details.
Will there be enough space in my grey bin?
Provided households make full use of their Bryson Recycling 'Kerbie Boxes', Blue Bin and Brown Bin, they should be able to cope with a fortnightly collection of the grey/black landfill bin. However, households should also make full use of their nearest Household Recycling Centre (HRC) for recycling of those wastes that may not be collected by the kerbside service or for disposing of excessive amounts of household waste that may arise from time-to-time.
What can I do with my excess waste?
Households with additional waste can use either of the Council’s Household Recycling Centres, situated at Cregagh Road and Comber Road, Carryduff, to recycle or dispose of their excess waste.
The Council also provides a chargeable, kerbside, Special Collection Service for excess waste or bulky items that cannot be disposed of through the normal bin service.
Staff from the Technical & Environmental Services will also audit your waste and provide you with further advice/guidance on managing your waste.
It is currently Council policy to allow households to purchase an additional Grey/Black Bin that will be emptied on your normal collection day. However, from an environmental perspective this is the least preferred option and would be seen as undermining the concept of waste minimisation. Households should contact the Technical & Environmental Services Department for advice/guidance before acquiring an additional bin.
Are Bags allowed in Blue Bins or Brown Bins?
No. Plastic bags are seen as contaminants and should not be used. They cause problems at both the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) and Composting Facility and can result in complete lorry loads being rejected.
Contamination
It is important that contamination levels are strictly controlled, therefore only specified items should be included in your Bryson Recycling 'Kerbie' Boxes and Blue Bin and Brown Bins. If you are unsure of what can go into your bins/boxes, please contact the Technical & Environmental Services Department on 028 90494600.
Bins that are found to be contaminated, ie containing items other than those that are accepted, will be rejected.
Bins can be taken to either of the Council’s Household Recycling Centres, at Cregagh Road, Castlereagh, or Comber Road, Carryduff. Alternatively, incorrect materials can be removed from the bin and it can be presented again for collection on the next scheduled collection.
Why do I have to Recycle?
Basically, because you created the waste in the first place and if the Council is to meet its waste diversion targets, everyone must play their part. The Council cannot do this on its own. It needs its ratepayer's full support and commitment.
The more households that participate and recycle their wastes, the greater the Council's chances are of meeting the targets and avoiding fines.
It is therefore in everyone's interest that they participate fully and embrace new waste management practices.
Is Castlereagh the only Council doing this?
No. Other Councils are also operating kerbside collection services on an alternate week basis. However, Castlereagh Borough Council was one of the first Councils to take a lead role. Please consult individual council websites for further information.
Why Alternate Weeks?
Alternate week collection of the Grey/Black Bin is not unique to Castlereagh Borough Council, as the majority of NI Councils are now operating similar collection arrangements. There are also many authorities in Great Britain that are also operating alternate week collection arrangements.
Although the frequency of collection of the has been reduced, this has been supplemented with a collection of the Blue Bin, Brown Bin and ‘Kerbie’ Boxes. This should allow you to divert around 50% of the waste in your , making a fortnightly collection possible. However, you should also make full use of the Council’s Household Recycling Centres to recycle those wastes that are not currently collected by the Tri-Cycle Scheme and to dispose of any excess waste.
The Council has also carried out three reviews of the Scheme and so far a majority of those households surveyed have agreed that the alternate weekly collection of the has encouraged them to recycle more! This is a strong indication that the alternate week collection of the is a major driver for changing attitudes and getting householders to recycle their waste. This is what we must do if we are to meet the challenges that face us!
Is this a reduction in the service I receive for my rates?
Services have not been withdrawn or diluted but modernised in response to new challenges. Whilst the Council is required to provide a waste collection service, the Council has discretion as to the level and type of service it provides.
Is a fortnightly collection safe?
The possible health implications of kitchen food waste, and nappies, remaining in the for a two week period has been raised by some householders.
Following consultation with the Council’s Environmental Health Service, and from a waste management perspective, provided the waste is contained within the bin and the lid kept shut, there is unlikely to be any health related implications for the householder. The bin is a sealed unit and has been specifically designed to safely contain various waste types, preventing any likely discharge whilst minimising odours. Odour, however, will be directly linked to what is contained within the bin.
Householders can take steps to minimise the likelihood of odours, such as keeping the waste in plastic bags or wrapped in paper/newspapers, etc, before being placed into the bin. Bins could also be washed out on a regular basis to ensure that all loose debris is removed from the bin. This will again minimise odour. Ultimately, the condition of any bin will be dependent upon the way in which it is managed.
The Council’s Environmental Health Service will also provide further advice/guidance to householders on a case-by-case basis.
Householders should also make full use of Household Recycling Centres to recycle or dispose of any excess waste that they might have. If, for whatever reason, a householder does not wish to put a certain type of waste into their bin, they have the option of using a Household Recycling Centre to dispose of it.
Alternate week collection of the Grey/Black Bin is not unique to Castlereagh Borough Council, as the majority of NI Councils are now operating similar collection arrangements. There are also many authorities in Great Britain that are also operating alternate week collection arrangements.
We are unaware as to any studies, scientific or other, having been carried out into food waste remaining in a bin for a two week period. If this were a key issue of widespread concern it would be conceivable that such a study would have been carried out and its findings published.
Can I get an extra box?
Bryson Recycling currently issue replacement boxes, lids and additional boxes free-of-charge to households when requested. Please contact Bryson Recycling on 028 9084 8494.
Will collection arrangements change in the winter months?
Please refer to your calendar for specific collection arrangements or contact Technical & Environmental Services Department at 028 90 494600.
Why will the Council not lift my excess waste?
The Council must make considerable reductions in the amount of waste being sent to landfill. The collection of extra bags only serves to undermine our endeavours to achieve this goal and meet the waste diversion targets.
It is also the case that the Council cannot differentiate between households. If we collect bags from one household we must provide the same service to every household within the borough.
The Council must encourage householders to not only Re-use and Recycle their waste but also Reduce the amount of waste they generate in the first place. Collecting additional refuse sacks is counter-productive to this aim.
Households can recycle or dispose of any excess waste at one of the Council's Household Recycling Centres.
From a health & safety perspective, we are also trying to minimise the number of occasions loose bags are collected.
When will extra refuse sacks be removed?
Additional refuse sacks will only be removed if the collection falls on a public holiday and no alternative collection has been provided. On such occasions, up to 4 extra sacks of household waste only (excludes garden waste) will be removed on the next normal Grey/Black Bin collection.
There may also be other unforeseen or exceptional circumstances, such as snow or ice, when service cannot be provided. In such cases extra bags will be removed.
What can I not put in my Blue Bin?
No envelopes, hardback books, cellophane, plastic (other than plastic bottles), wrapping paper , tissues, nappies, glass, garden or kitchen waste, takeaway pizza boxes, oil, textiles, crisp bags, juice cartons/tetra packs (as they have a special wax/plastic coating), electrical goods etc. Please check your information leaflet for further information.
What if I do put the wrong things in my Blue Bin or Brown Bin?
One bin can contaminate the entire load which can be rejected at the MRF or Composting Facility. To minimise the likelihood of this happening, Refuse Collection Operatives will carry out visual inspections of bins to ensure they do not contain the wrong materials. Contaminants can be removed and the bin emptied on the next normal collection day. Alternatively, the householder can bring their bin to their nearest Household Recycling Centre where they can either recycle or dispose of its contents.
I am using the Blue Bin and can't understand why it keeps being refused, what can I do?
Contact the Helpline on Freephone 0800 0130897. You can arrange for one of our Officers to call out, check your bin and explain the system in more detail, or simply talk to someone on our Helpline.
I am physically unable to wheel my bin to the footpath, what can I do?
If you are physically unable to wheel your bin to the footpath, the Council can do it on your behalf, providing you submit a note from your doctor. Please contact Technical and Environmental Services on 028 90494600 to arrange a pull-out of your bin.
Bryson Recycling also offer assisted lifts for the ‘Kerbie’ Boxes and they should be contacted directly on either 028 90 848494 or 0800 169 1287.
My bin is too big for my needs
The Council can provide smaller bins (120/140 litre), however, there is a limited stock of these bins. Householders should continue using their normal bin until the replacement bin arrives. Please contact the Technical & Environmental Services Department.
Can I purchase an additional grey bin?
Currently the Council's policy is that anyone wishing to purchase an additional Grey/Black Bin can do so by contacting the Technical & Environmental Services Department. However, this is considered counterproductive to the aim of waste minimisation. We would therefore ask householders to make full use of their nearest Household Recycling Centre or contact the Technical & Environmental Services Department, where officers will be available to offer advice/guidance.
I do not wish to participate in the scheme
If you chose not to participate in the Tri-Cycle Scheme you will still get your emptied every other week. You will not receive a weekly collection of your waste. It is therefore in your own interest to participate in the Scheme and fully support your Council in meeting the challenges ahead.
What is accepted in my brown bin?
Food waste is now accepted in your brown bin. This includes both cooked, raw food and garden waste.
All types of food are accepted including, meat and bones, fish, bread and pastries, dairy, fruit and vegetables and tea and coffee grounds.
Food waste should be placed loose or lightly wrapped in newspaper into the brown bin. Please see http://www.castlereagh.gov.uk/FWaste.asp for more information. The collection of your brown bin will remain the same, for collection schedules please see the Councils 2010/ 2011 Calendar for further information:
http://www.castlereagh.gov.uk/Documents/Waste/BlueBin2010.pdf for blue and brown bin area or http://www.castlereagh.gov.uk/Documents/Waste/Kerbie2009.pdf for kerbie and brown bin areas.
Why can I not recycle ALL my plastic containers?
At present plastic waste recycling in the UK is mainly based on single polymer waste streams, eg PET and HDPE, due to the lack and unreliability of end markets for mixed plastic wastes. PET and HDPE are what your plastic bottles are made out of and what reprocessors are willing to accept. The Council cannot therefore accept other types of plastic wastes at this time.
What happens if I decide to dump my excess waste?
If you dump your waste you are committing an offence and could face prosecution. If convicted you will have a criminal record! You should therefore dispose of your waste in a responsible manner. Please also remember that you can also be held responsible for waste that can be traced back to you.
I have Medical Waste & I am on the Tri-Cycle Scheme, what can I do?
If you are currently on the Tri-Cycle Scheme or about to go onto it and have medical waste (e.g. incontinence pads, medical packaging), please contact Technical Services on 028 90494600.
What happens if my Bin needs replaced?
The majority of wheeled bins in the borough have been in use since around 1993. Unfortunately, they do not have an infinite life span and will eventually develop weaknesses, resulting in cracks or other damage. Axles will also become rusted and wheels will lock, making bins difficult to manoeuvre. In some cases it will not be safe for the bin to be emptied. Where it is deemed that damage to a bin has been due to general wear and tear, the householder will be responsible for replacing the bin.
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