Bolton gives most homes four containers with colours that are easy to mix up: a grey bin for general waste, a burgundy bin for glass, cans and plastics, a beige bin for paper and card, and a green bin or container for food and garden waste. The grey bin is collected every two weeks.
Last checked against 6 sources (www.bolton.gov.uk).
What goes in each bin
Grey bin for general waste · General waste
Bin · Every two weeks
Yes please
General household waste that is not collected for recycling, food or garden waste
Not in this one
Bags of waste placed at the side of the bin, which will not be collected
Extra recycling, which should go in the recycling bin after it has been emptied or to a recycling centre
Food and garden waste, which have their own green container or bin
Green bin for food and garden waste · Garden waste
Every two weeks
Food waste and the national recycling rules
Bolton has a transitional arrangement for weekly food waste. Bolton's pages say food waste is collected in a green food waste container once a week, or in the green bin every two weeks, depending on where you live. Bolton is also one of the councils with a later legal start date for separate weekly food waste collections, so some homes may not yet have the weekly service.
Check the usual reasons first: the bin was not out, the lid was up, parked cars, skips or road works blocked access, or snow, ice or flooding. If none of these apply, use the council's missed bin report form. For the grey bin, contact the council before 5pm on the next working day after your collection was due, and it will return to empty the bin within two working days. Bins should be out at the edge of your property or agreed collection point by 7am.
The burgundy bin now takes plastic pots, tubs and trays as well as bottles, including black plastic trays. Items must be rinsed. The council will not empty a burgundy bin that holds crisp packets, plastic film, plastic bags or pet food pouches.
The beige bin is for paper and card only. Neatly folded cardboard can be left beside a full bin, and the crew put it into the emptied bin and lift it again. It has to be dry, free of polystyrene and plastics, and fit inside the bin with the lid closed.
Food and garden waste share the green containers. Food waste containers are collected once a week and green bins every two weeks. The council lets you order an extra green bin for an annual fee if you need more garden waste space.
Present bins at the edge of your private property or agreed collection point by 7am, and your bin should be out for collection between 7am and 6pm. Lids must be closed, vehicles should be parked so the lorry can get in, and bins need to be brought back onto your property after collection.
A grey bin is not emptied if the lid is up, the bin is not out, or access is blocked. For a second beige bin the council describes a space audit before a second bin is approved, subject to an administration and delivery fee of £35.
Bolton has two household waste recycling centres: Hurstwood Court on Raikes Lane and Salford Road. Cars and cars with a single axle trailer can make 52 visits a year, and a van or twin axle trailer needs a permit.
The council's own pages for the waste service are short, and it points to Recycle for Greater Manchester for the full A to Z of items.
Bin questions in Bolton
How often is the grey bin collected in Bolton?
The grey general waste bin is collected every two weeks. Bins should be at the edge of your property or collection point by 7am, with the lid closed, and bags left at the side will not be collected.
What goes in the burgundy bin in Bolton?
Rinsed plastic pots, tubs, trays and bottles, glass bottles and jars with no lids, food tins and drinks cans, metal tubes, aerosols and foil. Crisp packets, plastic film, plastic bags and pet food pouches are not accepted.
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