Cumberland was formed from three former council areas, and its recycling still follows them: Allerdale, Carlisle and Copeland each use different bins, bags and boxes. There is no separate food waste collection until 3 June 2034, so food goes in the general rubbish bin.
Last checked against 6 sources (www.cumberland.gov.uk).
What goes in each bin
General rubbish bin (usually a 120 litre black bin) · General waste
Bin · Varies by area, so check your address
Yes please
Non-recyclable films and plastics
Fish and meat bones
Disposable nappies
Pet waste, hair and bedding
Food waste you do not compost
Bagged cool ashes and vacuum dust
Tea and coffee grounds
Not in this one
Rubble and building materials
Electrical goods and hazardous waste
Empty or leftover paint tins
Batteries and vapes
Plastic, cans and glass
Garden waste, paper and cardboard
Loose ash, which must be completely cooled and securely bagged
General rubbish bin (usually a 120 litre black bin) · General waste
Varies by area, so check your address
Green bin or black box for glass, cans and plastic (Allerdale area) · Mixed recycling
Every two weeks
Food waste and the national recycling rules
Cumberland has a transitional arrangement for weekly food waste. Food waste is currently collected as part of household residual waste in Cumberland. The council says weekly separate food waste collections will be introduced by 3 June 2034, under bespoke transitional arrangements confirmed in May 2024, because the current waste disposal contract with Biffa Cumbria Limited runs until then.
Garden waste arrangements vary across the area. Extra garden waste bins cost £42 each per year, up to a maximum of four garden waste bins. The council's page does not state a fee for the first bin. From March to November the council collects one garden waste bin every two weeks. Garden waste can also go to a household waste recycling centre or be composted at home. The council will not collect excess garden waste or return for a missed garden bin.
Report a missed bin online within two working days. Before you report, check it was put out on the right day, your neighbours' bins were collected, it was at the kerbside and clearly visible, it held the correct items, there is no sticker explaining why it was left, and the lid was closed. The council will not return for a one-off missed bin. A vehicle returns as soon as practically possible if a whole street or many properties were missed, or access was an issue. If it cannot return and you have reported it, the council may take up to four bags of excess general waste or recycling at the next collection.
Which containers you have depends on the old district you live in. Allerdale uses a green bin or black box for glass, cans and plastic, plus a blue-lidded bin or green hessian sack for paper and card. Copeland uses a red-lidded bin and a blue-lidded bin. Carlisle uses two bags and a recycling box.
In the Allerdale area the council says general waste changed from every week to every two weeks, and glass, cans, tins and plastics stay every two weeks. Paper and card is collected every four weeks according to one page, while another says it is now every two weeks for most households. Use your calendar rather than relying on either.
For Carlisle the council says it plans to change how recycling is collected from March 2027. Most properties will get wheeled bins, one for paper and cardboard and one for glass, cans and plastics, while some streets stay on the box and bag scheme. Affected households will be contacted in late 2026.
Put waste and recycling out before 7am, or 6.30am in the former Allerdale area. The council asks you not to overload bins or put extra waste beside them, and to put a container out only if it is at least a third full.
A larger or additional bin may be approved for larger households, children in daytime nappies or significant medical waste linked to a diagnosed health condition. Assisted collections are available for health issues, disability or frailty.
In a few areas the council offers a seagull-proof sack for refuse sacks, available from Allerdale House in Workington or Market Hall in Whitehaven.
Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness residents can use any of the 14 household waste recycling centres. Apply for a waste permit through your own council.
Bin questions in Cumberland
Does Cumberland collect food waste?
Not separately. The council says food waste is currently collected as part of household residual waste, and weekly separate food waste collections will be introduced by 3 June 2034 under transitional arrangements.
How do I report a missed bin in Cumberland?
Report it online within two working days, after checking the bin was out on the right day, visible at the kerbside, held the correct items and had its lid closed. The council does not return for one-off missed bins.
What time do I put my bins out in Cumberland?
The council asks you to put waste and recycling out before 7am on collection day, or 6.30am in the former Allerdale area. It also asks you not to overload the bin or put extra waste beside it.
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