Commissioners Information

Refuse Services - Frequently Asked Questions

1. My bin hasn’t been emptied?
2. Why does my bin have to be at the edge of my property with handles pointing outwards?
3. Why won’t the binmen take black bags?
4. Why did the binmen not empty my bin?
5. My bin is too difficult for me to move now?
6. Can I have a bigger bin?
7. Are you weighing my bin now?
8. How do I know how heavy it is?
9. My bin is broken, so can I have a new one?
10. My bin has gone missing - what do I do?

1. My bin hasn’t been emptied?

Have you checked to see if the other bins in your street have been emptied? If they haven’t then there has been a delay on the round. If they have there may be a reason why yours wasn’t collected – see section 4 for more details.

We aim to complete all our designated rounds on a given day of the week, usually at the same time. However, there are occasions when this will differ. Operational difficulties which can occur from time to time may affect the timing. If your bin has not been collected by the end of your normal collection day, please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967.

Top 

2. Why does my bin have to be at the edge of my property with handles pointing outwards?

Our collectors will take a bin from the edge of your property to the refuse vehicle, empty it and return the bin to its pick up point on your property. Handles pointing outwards makes it easier and quicker for the operatives and they will leave the bin with the handles facing your property for ease of return.

To avoid any accidental damage to your property or possessions, we will not go onto your property.

Top 

3. Why won’t the binmen take black bags?

A standard household wheeled bin will hold 240 litres of domestic refuse, which is calculated to be sufficient to take two weeks worth of normal household refuse. The binmen are instructed not to take black bags left alongside as there have been a number of instances in the last two years where they have picked up a bag only to find that it contained broken glass, leaving them with badly cut hands. Also sometimes the contents are too heavy and the bags burst leave refuse on the road or pavement. To avoid these situations, we will not take refuse that is not in the bin. You may wish to consider reducing the contents of your bin by using the recycling sites located in the village for some of your waste. Also by ripping up and flattening cardboard boxes and packaging more space is achieved.

Top 

4. Why did the binmen not empty my bin?

There may be a number of reasons why the binmen did not empty your bin. Common reasons include it containing waste that would cause our whole vehicle load to be rejected at the Energy from Waste Plant, or that it was not at the edge of your property. If your bin has not been emptied, please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967 for further advice. A full list of unacceptable waste together with available alternative means of disposal is shown on this website. Bins containing soil, rubble or other items which could damage the lifting mechanism will not be emptied.

Top 

5. My bin is too difficult for me to move now?

If you are unable to move your wheelie bin through reasons of health or infirmity, we can assist you as part of our collection service. Please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967 for further information on gaining an exemption.

Top 

6. Can I have a bigger bin?

A standard household wheeled bin will hold 240 litres of domestic refuse, which is calculated to be sufficient to take two weeks worth of normal household refuse. If you find that this is not sufficient, do you rip up packaging to reduce bulk and have you considered recycling some of your waste through either the local sites in the village or the Eastern Civic Amenity Site at Snugborough in Braddan? If you recycle as much as possible, and are still having difficulties, please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967 for a further discussion of your personal needs.

Top 

7. Are you weighing my bin now?

Two of our main collection vehicles are currently fitted with weighing equipment, and a new third vehicle also fitted with the appropriate equipment is due shortly. We are not at present recording data against individual domestic addresses as a matter of course, although this may change if it becomes policy to charge individual households by collected weight.

Top 

8. How do I know how heavy it is?

It is difficult to give any hard and fast rule regarding how heavy your bin is, but the average weekly weight for a standard refuse bin is 21.7 kg (approximately 47.75 lbs). This equates to just over 1 tonne of waste per household per year. The more you can recycle, especially paper, glass, cans and grass cuttings, is the lighter your bin will be. This will be to your advantage if charging by weight is introduced.

Top 

9. My bin is broken, so can I have a new one?

Bins damaged through fair wear and tear will be replaced free of charge by the Commissioners. Please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967.

Top 

10. My bin has gone missing - what do I do?

Firstly look to see if one of your neighbours now have two bins or there is a spare one in the road a little distance away. If all else fails please contact the Surveyor’s Department on 624967

Top