A tag has been put on my bin

If your rubbish or recycling has not been collected it may be because there is a problem.  A tag will be left on the bin to explain why. The reasons include:

You will need to resolve the problem before the next collection of that material.

Your recycling bin contained items that can’t be recycled

If you put the wrong items in your recycling bin, it might not have been emptied. If we collect non-recyclable items the reprocessor could reject the whole truck load and everyone’s recycling would then be thrown away.

If you have an individual wheelie bin or sacks for recycling

You can check what items can be collected from your recycling bin by visiting our recycling collection page. Some items such as food, textiles, small electricals and garden waste can be recycled in separate collections.

You will need to remove the wrong items before your next recycling collection. Extra recycling in a clear plastic bag next to your bin can be collected on your next collection, but don’t put this in a black bin bag.

If you have a shared recycling bin

You can check what items can be collected from your recycling bin by visiting our recycling collection page. Please don’t put plastic bags or sacks full of recycling in your recycling bins. Recycling should be emptied loose into the bins. Reusable bags to store and transport your recycling are available on request.

Once a tag has been left the bin will have to be emptied as general rubbish, which unfortunately means it can’t be recycled and creates an extra cost.

Please continue to recycle if there is another bin available or wait until the bin has been emptied.

Your food waste bin contained items that can’t be recycled

If you put the wrong items in your food waste bin, it might not have been emptied, as other items are not suitable for the anaerobic digestion process.

You can check what items can be collected in your food waste bin and find out more about anaerobic digestion by visiting our food waste page. Then remove the unacceptable items before your next food waste collection.

The bin lid was not closed

Bin lids need to be closed otherwise the bin is not safe to empty. If your bin is too full for the lid to shut, remove some items until it closes.

Extra recycling

Extra recycling can be collected on your next recycling collection day, if it is put in a clear plastic bag next to your bin. Don’t put this in a black bag.

If your household regularly generates more recycling than you can fit in your bin, you could request an additional recycling bin.

Extra rubbish

Extra rubbish can’t be left out with your next collection, but you could store this for a future collection or take it to a recycling centre.

If your household recycles as much as possible but generates more rubbish than you can fit in one rubbish bin, you can request a temporary additional rubbish bin.

Extra bags or items were left outside of the bin

Extra rubbish

Extra rubbish won’t be collected. You could store this for a future collection or take it to a community recycling centre.

If your household recycles as much as possible but generates more rubbish than you can fit in one rubbish bin, you can request a temporary additional rubbish bin.

Extra recycling

If you left recycling in a black bag it won’t have been collected as the collection crews can’t see what is in it, to check it is recyclable. Please empty the recycling loose into your recycling bin or leave extra recycling in a clear plastic bag next to your recycling bin on your collection day. Clothes and home textiles, or electricals and batteries need to be put in standard carrier bags.

Extra food waste was left out

It is not possible to collect food waste if it is not in a food waste bin. You could freeze this and take it out on your next collection, or if you regularly produce more food waste you can request an additional food waste bin.

You may also find it useful to read the tips on how to reduce food waste on the Surrey Environment Partnership website.

Your bin was too heavy

It wasn’t safe to move your bin as it was too heavy. Remove some heavy items before the next collection.

The wrong bin was left out

It isn’t possible to collect rubbish on a recycling week, or recycling on a rubbish week. Place the same bin out for collection next week.

Your bin is damaged

It isn’t safe to empty damaged bins. You can order a new bin online.

Unauthorised additional bins

Only one bin will be emptied unless a request has been approved for a temporary additional rubbish bin.

Unauthorised type of bin

Unfortunately the type of bin used was not safe or suitable for the crews to empty.

You can order a suitable bin online.

See also