Hull Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Why should I recycle?
A: On average every home in Hull produces about one tonne of rubbish each year and this is increasing. Most of this rubbish is buried in landfill sites and as it breaks down it releases substances that are harmful to the environment. The Government wants to reduce the use of landfill sites and has set tough targets for councils to improve the amount of rubbish that is recycled to help protect the environment.
If everyone in Hull just recycled all their paper, about one quarter of all rubbish in every household bin would be saved from landfill sites.
Black box recycling
Q: What if I live in a flat or similar accommodation?
A: If you would like a box and live in a flat or similar accommodation you are still entitled to have a black box. If however you and your neighbours consider that a small communal recycling site would be more appropriate, please contact us on 01482 300300 to discuss this option further.
Q: Do I need to sort the materials I put in the box?
A: No. All food and drink cans, aerosols, foil, glass and plastic bottles can be put loose into the box and we will sort them for you. Textiles must, however, be in a plastic bag or bin bag and sealed to keep them dry.
Q: Can I have more than one box?
A: Yes. You can have as many boxes as you need, as long as they are all used for recycling. If you wish more than one black box please contact us on 01482 300300.
Q: How big are the boxes?
A: The boxes are about 30cm high, 40 cm in depth, 50 cm wide and are supplied with a lid, suitable for storage inside or outside of your home. Two boxes can be supplied for large families. Alternatively, any extra materials can be put out in your own container or a cardboard box and we will still empty them.
Q: I live on my own and don't have enough to recycle.
A: Many residents tell us they don't produce enough material to make it worth our while collecting. This is not true. We are collecting in the street anyway, so it doesn't take any extra effort for us to collect, no matter how few recyclables are produced.
Q: Do I need to sort the materials I put in the box?
A: No. All cans, aerosols, foil, glass and plastic bottles can be put loose into the box and we will sort them for you. Textiles will need to be placed in a plastic bag or bin bag to keep them dry.
Q: When will my box be collected?
A: Your box will be emptied once every fortnight. Details of your collection dates will be supplied on a sticker and delivered with your box.
Q: What materials can I put in the black box?
A:You can recycle the following:
- - Plastic bottles ONLY. Please do not put any plastic bags or other food packaging in the box.
- - Food and drinks cans, aerosols and foil
- - Aluminium foil and cans, steel cans and aerosols.
- - Glass bottles and jars
- - Clear, green, brown, red and blue glass bottles and jars only.
- - Please do not put any Pyrex, sheet glass, light bulbs, drinking glasses or broken glass in the box.
- - Textiles
- - All clean dry clothing, curtains, sheets, towels, blankets (not duvets) pairs of shoes and leather goods. Please put all textiles in a sealed plastic bag to keep them dry.
Blue bin recycling
Q: Who can take part?
A: The paper collection scheme is open to all residents and businesses anywhere in the city. Larger communal bins are available for flats, schools, businesses and areas where space is limited.
Q: How do I get a new or replacement blue bin?
A: Contact us by phone, email or letter at the contact address enclosed. New and replacement bins will be delivered to your house within 15 working days of the Council receiving a request. All replacements for stolen or damaged blue bins and any new blue bins are available FREE OF CHARGE.
Q: How can I get a bigger or communal bin?
A: Blue bins are available in a bigger size if you generate a large volume of paper waste each month. Bigger bins are available for communal use where there is a lack of space or a central collection area.
Q: How do I get my blue bin collected?
A: Your blue bin should be put out in the same place as your grey bin, within the boundary, but at the edge of your property. All blue bins should be out by 7.30am at the latest to ensure you get your bin emptied. Blue bins are emptied once every month. Stickers with collection details are supplied to all residents. New copies of collection details for your area can be sent out if requested. On bank holidays, your collection day WILL change. Please check your collection sticker for your new collection date.
Q: Problems with your blue bin collection?
A: If your blue bin is not emptied or you forget to put it out, let us know and we will return to collect it on the next working day. If you are unable to put your bin out for collection and already receive assistance with your grey bin, we can assist you in collecting your blue bin.
Q: Why can't cardboard and envelopes go in the blue bin?
A: The most commonly asked questions the council receives are about cardboard and envelope recycling. The paper collected in the blue bin scheme is used for making newspapers. This requires a level of quality that means we can not collect cardboard with the paper. Methods of collecting cardboard from residents are being considered as part of future recycling schemes. Envelopes can not be recycled in the blue bins for the following reasons: plastic windows and glue or gummed edges
Q: What can go in the blue bin?
A: Yes please to:
- - All newspapers and magazines
- - Junk mail
- - White and yellow telephone directories
- - Home and office computer paper and writing paper
- - Pamphlets and brochures
- - Catalogues
- - Shredded paper
A community recycling site contains 1100 litre wheeled bins and a standard site contains seven bins. The standard site will consist of bins for:
- - Aerosols
- - Aluminium foil
- - Cans
- - Glass bottles and jars
- - Paper
- - Plastic bottles
- - Shoes (pairs)
- - Textiles
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Q. What can I recycle at a community recycling facility?
A. The sites normally exist within the boundary of locations such as schools, playgrounds, supermarkets, car parks or other locations.
Hull has over 65 community recycling facilities, as well as the household waste recycling centres at Wilmington, Burma Drive and Wiltshire Road.
Items that can be recycled:
- - Aerosols
- - Cans
- - Car batteries
- - Cardboard
- - Engine oil
- - Fridges and freezers
- - Foil
- - Garden waste
- - Glass bottles and jars
- - Household batteries
- - TVs, videos and hi-fi's
- - Mobile phones
- - Paper
- - Plastic bottles
- - Printer cartridges
- - Textiles
- - Scrap metal
- - Soil and rubble
- - Spectacles
- - Wood
Q: Who can use the site?
A: All residents of Hull wishing to recycle their household waste may use the facility - NO TRADE WASTE
Opening Hours: Wilmington, Wiltshire Road and Burma Drive household waste recycling centres are open 7 days a week from 8.00am - 6.00pm. Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they close at 4.00pm. Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day closed all day.
Composting
Q: Who can have one?
A: Bargain priced compost bins are up for grabs for residents of Hull (within the Hull City Council boundary).
Q: Why do I want one?
A: Organic waste, such as grass cuttings and vegetable peelings can be composted and turned into free compost for your garden. The production of home compost not only helps to enhance soil quality, but also encourage people to recycle their own garden waste and vegetable peelings.
Q: How do I get one?
A: Compost bins are available all year round. To order your bin, contact the Straight plc hotline on telephone number 0845 130 6090
Q: What's available and how much do they cost?
A: There are 2 different sizes of compost bins available:-
- 220 litre compost converter - £8.50 (inc. delivery)
- 330 litre compost converter - £10.50 (inc. delivery)
Items that can be compostable:
- Cardboard egg boxes
- Coffee grounds
- Crushed egg shells
- Fruit and vegetable peelings
- Teabags
- Dead plants
- Grass cuttings
- Hedge trimmings
- Leaves
- Plant prunings
