Black box
What happens to the materials I put in my black box?
Your mixed glass is sent for recycling and is used to make new glass bottles and new materials
Can I have a black box if I live in a flat?
Yes. If you would like to recycle using the black box please complete the request a bin form.
How do I order a replacement black box?
Can I use a black bag to put textiles out for collection?
We no longer collect textiles from the kerbside from 1 October 2024.
Why are separate vehicles being used to collect the black box, food waste and absorbent hygiene products (AHP)?
Using separate vehicles is more efficient and produces a saving to the Council as more households can be serviced on a single collection route.
Why have you stopped collecting textiles at the kerbside?
We are no longer collection textiles as the need for the service has dropped significantly. There are many options available to either re-sell (using for example services such as Vinted or marketplace) or it's easy to make a donation either in person or from kerbside provided charity bags). Your local recycling point or HWRC can accept textiles.
There is also a growing number of takeback schemes in operation e.g. Dunelm or Marks & Spencer.
Why have you stopped collecting small waste electricals at the kerbside ?
Blue bins
What happens to the materials I put in my blue bin?
All of your collected blue bin material (plastics, cans and cartons) will be taken to Roughmute Recycling Centre where it is separated and processed. It is then sent for further processing and transformed into something new.
I live in a flat, how do I recycle?
If you live in a flat, you will be provided with an individual blue bin or a bulk blue bin for recycling. Blue bins are collected every 4 weeks.
If you have an individual blue bin, it must be at the kerbside or agreed collection point by 6:30am on collection day. If you have a bulk blue recycling bin, we will empty it every 4 weeks and return it to your bin storage area.
Do I put my recycling into bags before putting it in the blue bin?
No, your recyclable material must be loose in the bin.
Do I need to leave the lids on plastic bottles?
No. However, if you squash your bottle and put the lid back on your will have more room in your blue bin.
Do I need to take labels off plastic bottles and containers before putting them in the blue bin?
No, you can leave the labels on.
What should I do after my bin is emptied?
If you have an individual blue recycling bin, it is your responsibility to return it to your property.
If you receive an assisted collection where the bin is collected from the property, or you have a bulk blue recycling bin, it will be returned by the collection team after emptying.
Where can I find information on what happens to the recycling in my blue bin?
Burgundy bins
What happens to the materials I put in my burgundy bin?
All of your collected burgundy bin material (paper, card and cardboard) will be taken to Roughmute Recycling Centre where it is separated and processed. It is then sent for further processing and transformed into something new.
I live in a flat, how do I recycle?
If you live in a flat, you will be provided with an individual burgundy bin or a bulk burgundy bin for recycling. Burgundy bins are collected every 4 weeks.
If you have an individual burgundy bin, it must be at the kerbside or agreed collection point by 6:30am on collection day. If you have a bulk burgundy recycling bin, we will empty it every 4 weeks and return it to your bin storage area.
Do I put my recycling into bags before putting it in the burgundy bin?
No, your recyclable material must be loose in the bin.
What should I do after my bin is emptied?
If you have an individual burgundy recycling bin, it is your responsibility to return it to your property.
If you receive an assisted collection where the bin is collected from the property, or you have a bulk burgundy recycling bin, it will be returned by the collection team after emptying.
Where can I find information on what happens to the recycling in my burgundy bin?
Food waste
What can I put in my food waste caddy?
All types of food waste - cooked and uncooked.
- Dairy and eggshells
- Meat and fish – raw and cooked including bones
- Fruit
- Vegetables
- Bread, cakes and pastries
- Rice, pasta and beans
- Teabags and coffee grounds
- Pizza
- Pet food
- Uneaten food from your plates and dishes
Do not put these items in the food waste caddy:
How do I use my food waste caddies?
The food waste caddy is easy to use. All you need to do is line the kitchen caddy with a plastic bag, compostable liner or newspaper. When the kitchen caddy is full, tie a knot in the bag and place it in your kerbside caddy.
Please do not place plastic containers in your food waste caddies. If you find an out of date yoghurt pot in your fridge, empty the contents into your kitchen caddy, rinse the container and place it in your blue bin for recycling.
What happens to my food waste?
Your food waste is taken to a special processing plant where it can generate renewable energy and be recycled into fertiliser for Scottish farmers.
Where does food waste come from?
Food waste can come from the following sources:
- Buying too much
- Out of date food left in fridge or cupboards
- Leftovers from preparation
- Leftovers from meals
Will the food in my caddy smell?
No, the kitchen caddy will not smell if you regularly empty it into your kerbside caddy.
Lining the kitchen caddy with a plastic bag makes it easy and hygienic to empty into the kerbside caddy.
I don’t have time to do this – why should I?
It is important to reduce the amount of food waste going to energy recovery (incineration).
Can I use plastic bags to line my caddy?
Yes, you can.
You can also use newspaper as a liner. Local retailers and supermarkets also supply biodegradable liners.
Is it not better to reduce food waste than recycle it?
Yes, because evidence suggests that reducing food waste saves money on food bills.
Please visit Love Food Hate Waste for advice on how to use your leftover food.
Can I continue to compost at home?
Yes, if you already compost at home please keep composting your uncooked vegetable and fruit peelings in your compost bin or heap.
What if my kerbside caddy gets too full?
Please visit Love Food Hate Waste for advice on how to use your leftover food.
A second kerbside caddy can be provided by please complete the request a bin form.
How do I request additional or replacement food waste caddies?
You can request additional and replacement food waste recycling caddies by completing the request a bin form.
Can I recycle my food waste if I live in a flat?
Yes. If you have not already received a food waste kitchen and kerbside caddy and you want to recycle your food waste, please contact us using the general enquiry form.
Should I present my kerbside caddy even if there is an only small amount of waste in it?
Yes, you should.
Regularly putting your kerbside caddy out for collection helps keep your caddy clean.
General FAQs
Can I put extra bags out for collection beside my bin?
No. We do not collect extra bags beside the bin.
Please take excess waste to a recycling centre and make sure materials that can be recycled are put in the correct containers.
Does the Council supply bags for rubbish collections?
A small number of properties are supplied with bags instead of a green bin for their non-recyclable waste collection.
Properties which are unable to store bins or have no access for bins may be provided with bags.
Can I participate in kerbside recycling collections if I live in a rural area?
Rural properties have access to the food waste caddy, blue bin, burgundy bin, brown bin and black box collection services.
Will my bin be emptied on a public holiday?
If your collection day falls on a public holiday, your bin will be emptied that day as usual, except over Christmas and New Year.
Your calendar will show alternative dates when your containers will be emptied.
How can I find out what collection days are for my recycling and waste containers?
What should I do if I have additional rubbish which will not fit into my bin?
If you have non-recyclable waste which will not fit into your green bin you can either take it to one of the recycling centres or request a larger green bin.
Requests for a larger green bin will be considered on an individual basis. You must apply for a larger green bin. This requires you to complete an application form and also a waste audit diary. If you do not use all the kerbside recycling services including the weekly food waste service we will not consider your larger green bin application.
If you think you need a larger green bin, please email us wasteservices@falkirk.gov.uk.
What happens if I put the wrong materials in my containers?
It is important to put the right materials in the right container to maximise the amount of your waste that is recycled or composted.
If your bin contains the wrong material, we will advise you by placing a red tag on your bin or container. This bin will not be collected. You must remove the wrong material and place it in the correct container. For more information on bin contamination visit: www.falkirk.gov.uk/contamination
Where should I place my bins for collection?
Bins must be presented at the kerbside or your agreed location by 6:30am on the collection day.
The handles on your bin need to point towards the roadside. Your bin can only be emptied if it is out before the arrival of the collection vehicle. If your bin is not presented for collection by the correct time we will not return until your next scheduled collection day.
- We recommend putting your house number on your containers to allow us to easily identify which bin belongs to you. This can also be of help if your bin is lost or stolen.
- Do not leave your bin permanently on the footpath.
- Please do not position your bin where it could cause an obstruction to pedestrians or road users.
Please ensure the lids on your bins and containers are closed and there are no additional bags of waste next to your bins and containers.
When will my bin be collected?
If you enter your postcode on the Find your bin collection dates you will be shown which day each of your bins will be collected and you can also download a collection calendar for future reference.
My bin has a damaged lid or wheel, how do I get it fixed?
My bin is too heavy, I am struggling with the volume of material that goes in my bins?
Can I secure my bin lid on collection day?
In the interest of health and safety, please ensure that your bins are presented at the kerbside for collection without anything attached, including rope or bungee cords, as this can become entangled with our lifting equipment and is a danger to operatives.
For guidance on how to secure your bin during high winds, see High winds and other service disruptions.
Green bins
What happens to the waste in my green bin?
The little waste left in your green bin is taken to energy recovery (incineration).
What can I put in my green bin?
Only non-recyclable waste can be put into your green bin.
Please do not put materials that can be recycled through the kerbside recycling and food waste service in your green bin.
In addition; bricks, car batteries, large electrical items etc cannot be put in your green bin.
Please take these materials to one of the recycling centres.
My green bin has not been emptied today, why?
Your green bin may not be emptied if it contains material or food waste that can be recycled through the kerbside collection service.
More information can be found on our Missed bins page.
Can I have a larger green bin?
Requests for a larger green bin will be considered on an individual basis. You must apply for a larger green bin, which requires you to complete an application form and also a waste audit diary. If you do not use all the kerbside recycling services including the weekly food waste service we will not consider your larger green bin application.
Special arrangements will be made for some householders if, for example, there is a medical requirement. These arrangements will be considered on an individual basis.
If you think you need a larger green bin, please email wasteservices@falkirk.gov.uk.
Wishcycling and contamination
What is wishcycling?
Wishcycling is putting something in the recycling bin that can't be recycled.
Why is wishcycling a problem?
Without realising you could be unintentionally putting the wrong things in your recycling bin and will lead to your recycling bin being contaminated, and not collected.
Putting the wrong materials in your bin can cause problems at the recycling facility. Contaminated materials can't be separated or cleaned. If the wrong materials are mixed in, the overall quality is affected and can result in the collected materials being unsuitable for recycling and being sent to energy recovery (incineration).
How not to wishcycle?
What happens if I receive an Oops (amber) tag?
I’ve received an oops tag, how do I know what material shouldn’t be in my recycling bin?
The collection crew will punch a hole by the image of the material that was presented in your bin.
Why are you placing Oops (amber) tags on the recycling bins?
Oops tags are designed to help households understand what materials shouldn't be in their recycling bin. Without realising you could be unintentionally putting the wrong things in your recycling bin, this is called Wishcycling.
What happens if I receive a red tag on my bin?
A red tag will be placed on your bin if it has a lot of the wrong materials in it or it's too heavy.
It is the householder's responsibility to remove the wrong material from the recycling bin and present it on the next scheduled collection. You can also take the material to the nearest recycling centre.
If you need your bin to be emptied before the next scheduled collection date, there will be a charge of £18.75 per bin. To arrange an uplift please call 01324 506070.
I’ve received a red tag, how do I know what material shouldn’t be in my recycling bin?
The collection crew will punch a hole beside the image of the wrong material(s) that was presented in your bin.
I didn’t put the wrong materials in my bin, will you come back to collect it?
No, it is the householders responsibility to ensure the right stuff is in the right bin.
To prevent the wrong materials going in your recycling bin, ensure your bin is presented for 6:30am on collection day and removed from the collection point as soon as possible following collection.
Do not leave your bin permanently on the footpath, passers-by may put stuff in your bin which could cause it to be contaminated.
We recommend putting your house number on your containers to allow us to easily identify which bin belongs to you. This can also help if your bin is lost or stolen.
Can I secure my bin lid on collection day?
In the interest of health and safety, please ensure that your bins are presented at the kerbside for collection without anything attached, including rope or bungee cords, as this can become entangled with our lifting equipment and is a danger to operatives.
If you have secured your bin with a lock, it needs to be removed/unlocked on collection day.
Why can’t I put my recycling in bags?
All recycling should be loose, clean, dry and empty before going in the bin. We cannot accept plastic bags as part of our recycling. If recycling material is presented in a plastic bag the collection crews are unable to see if the right stuff is in the bin.
Why is wishcycling a problem?
Without realising you could be unintentionally putting the wrong things in your recycling bin and will lead to your recycling bin being contaminated, and not collected.
Putting the wrong materials in your bin can cause problems at the recycling facility. Contaminated materials can't be separated or cleaned. If the wrong materials are mixed in, the overall quality is affected and can result in the collected materials being unsuitable for recycling and being sent to energy recovery (incineration).