Recycling & Waste Service Standards

This document provides key collections standards for St Helens Recycling & Waste Services. The document will be reviewed regularly and updated as the service changes.

The Recycling & Waste Service is committed to increasing recycling in order to maximise use of finite resources thereby minimising energy use and waste disposal. The Council want to develop services that result in reductions in carbon emissions, and support the waste hierarchy, putting waste prevention first.

The Recycling and Waste Service supports national and international pressures for change to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste that is sent to landfill. It addresses tightening health and safety laws, ensuring that the Council maintains safe, economic, and efficient recycling and waste collections.

Recycling & Waste Service Standards (PDF) [503KB] (opens new window)

This is an extract from the document. 

What you can expect from us:

• We will be courteous, helpful and polite at all times.
• We will collect all containers which are left out by 6.30am on your appointed collection day.
• We will provide a weekly collection of dry recyclables.
• We will provide a weekly collection of food waste.
• We will provide a fortnightly collection of general household waste.
• We will offer a fortnightly collection of garden waste from March to December (subscription fee required each year).
• We will deliver, new and replacement wheeled bins within two weeks of a request being received.
• We will deliver, new and replacement recycling containers within four weeks of a request being received.
• We will treat collected material in the most economical and environmentally responsible manner available, in accordance with statutory requirements.
• We will provide help, advice and education where required.
• We will return containers to a safe and convenient location.
• Missed collections of brown and green bins, we will endeavour to return and correct this within three working days (Except where the failure is as a result of extreme weather conditions or householder error.)
• Missed collections of dry recycling and food waste we will return a week later on your next collection date.

What we ask of you:

• Use the recycling, food and garden waste collection services for as much of your 'waste' as possible - the refuse bin is only for items which cannot be collected through recycling or food or garden waste collection services.
• Use containers correctly, and put the right items into the right bin, box, bag or caddy.
• Ensure recycling items such as bottle, jar cans are clean before putting them out for recycling.
• Ensure your garden waste, food waste, recycling and refuse are made available for collection by 6.30 am on your scheduled collection day.
• Place your containers at the agreed location. This is usually at the kerbside next to the public highway unless alternative arrangements have been agreed. 
• Please be considerate when parking vehicles, as vehicles blocking or obstructing access for our lorries can make it difficult or prevent us from carrying out collections.
• Please return your containers onto your property by 8pm on the day of collection unless you are waiting for a missed bin collection.
• Please ask neighbours to return bins to your property after collection while you're on holiday.
• Please ensure that the bin lids are fully closed when placed out for collection.
• Please do not overfill your containers or put heavy objects into your bins.
• If your waste bin is full then please do not put extra waste by your green or brown bin, as this will not be collected. Please retain this waste until you next collection date or use Household Waste Recycling Centre.
• Report non-collection or any other issues regarding the Recycling & Waste Service via website or phone.