Frequently Asked Questions
1. What goes in the green wheelie bin?
All your green garden waste and kitchen food scraps including meat and cheese. For a full list of what can and cannot be placed in the green bin download the ‘What Goes in the Green Bin|’ leaflet.
2. When will I receive the Twin Bin service?
The majority of homes - more than 30,000, are already on the scheme. The remaining homes in areas like Blaenavon and Abersychan are due to receive the service by 2009.
In the interim period subsidised home composting bins can be purchased and residents can take extra garden waste (no kitchen waste please) to the Household Waste Recycling Centre.
3. I have too much garden waste for the green bin – what can I do?
The Household Waste Recycling Centre, New Inn accepts household garden waste. A segregated area can be found at the rear of the site.
Subsidised compost bins for use at home are also available. Prices start from £9.45. Residents can call: 0800 316 4454 for more information, or visit www.getcomposting.com/torfaen|.
Greenmeadow Community Farm accept Christmas trees for shredding in January, please phone the Community Farm to check the dates nearer the time. Tel: 01633 862202 (scheme usually operates after Christmas to end of Jan).
4. Can I put cardboard in the green bin?
No, we cannot accept cardboard in the green bin. It is not currently accepted at the compost facility. Household cardboard is also accepted at the Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling.
5. Can I use plastic bags for my kitchen food scraps?
No, these cannot be composted. Please wrap your food waste in newspaper or magazines before placing it in the green bin
6. Where can I purchase compostable bags for my kitchen caddy?
A number of companies sell compostable bags only some of these can be accepted at the compost facility. Biodegradable bags are NOT accepted, they must be compostable bags/sacks. The following companies supply bags which comply with DIN CERTO standards and BS EN 13432:
Biosack Torfaen
01633 770367 / 07752 584170
Email: mark4bins@hotmail.co.uk|
(Local bin cleaning company)
Hollidays Packaging
01633 485593
Email: mark@hollidayspackaging.co.uk|
www.hollidayspackaging.co.uk|
(Local wholesale supplier – contact them for details of your nearest stockist)
Natural Collection
0870 331 3333
www.naturalcollection.com|
Sainsburys, Cwmbran
Now stock small compostable bags that comply with the relevant standards.
All Sorts, Fairwater Shops
01633 483859
Biobags (Scotland) Ltd
01467 651247
Email: info@biobags.co.uk |
www.biobags.co.uk |
Tree Huggers UK Ltd
01495 760733
www.treehuggersuk.com|
7. What can I do to stop my black/green bin smelling?
If residents follow the Council’s advice smells from the bin should not increase. Keep the lid on your green and black bin closed. The Council will no longer collect overflowing bins with the lid open or extra rubbish.
Top tips for good bin use are listed below:
Black Bin:
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Rinse any non recyclable plastic food packaging before placing it in the bin
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Wrap up disposable nappies in plastic bags before placing them in the bin
Green Bin:
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Wrap kitchen food scraps in newspaper or magazines before placing them in your green bin
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Try not to put too much wet food in the bin. A good mix of dry garden waste and kitchen waste will balance out excess water content and should help reduce smells
In addition, garden waste should not cause any smells as it rots down relatively slowly.
8. I am unable to put my bin outside for the kerbside collection (due to age/illness), what can I do?
We can send you a form to be completed by your medical practitioner. On receipt of this form, the refuse collectors will enter your garden/drive and empty your bin.