Following the recent change to the black box collection service, collection calendars have been updated for black box and food waste collections.

One of the key changes to your collection service is that separate vehicles now service your black box, your food caddy and (if you use the service) AHP sacks. This means that if your black box and food waste collections take place on the same day, expect 2 vehicles to visit your property - the vehicles will visit your property at different times during the day.

Should your black box (glass) or caddy (food) not be collected, report any missed collections via My Falkirk.

To help you with your waste-related enquiries, the Council has launched a recycling app. This app provides you with all the information you need to stay up-to-date with your waste collection services, including your collection days. Download the Bins and Recycling app.

Changes to black box items

From 01 October 2024 only glass bottles and jars can be recycled via your black box.

Small electrical items (Small WEEE) and textiles can no longer be placed in the black box. Where black boxes contain textiles or small WEEE after 01 October, the glass will be collected and the textiles/small WEEE will be left within the black box and a contamination sticker will be left by the crew advising of why it was not collected.

Textiles

Recycle textiles at either local recycling points or at a Household Waste Recycling Centres or if in good condition, consider reuse or donation.

Small WEEE

Small electical items can be recycled via the national electrical take-back scheme. Retailers now accept old electrical items for recycling when new ones are purchased, regardless of where the old item was bought. Additionally, small WEEE items can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.

Your bins must be at the kerbside or agreed collection point by 6:30am on the morning of your collection day.

We collect up to 8:00pm and the crew may not collect your bins or containers at the same time every collection. A bin and container will not be considered missed until the next working day.

Households who receive an assisted collection must make sure their containers are at the agreed collection point and are accessible for the collection crew.

How do I report a missed collection?

If we miss your bin or container, please contact us within 24 hours of the missed collection. If reported within 24 hours, we will return within one working day to collect your container.


Why has my bin not been collected?

Your bins must be at the kerbside or agreed collection point by 6:30am on the morning of your collection day. If your bins are not put out on time, your recycling and waste will not be uplifted and you will have to wait until your next scheduled collection date.

Bin lids must be closed. The collection crew will not collect a bin or container that is overfilled. Please note that any bags of waste placed next to your bin will not be collected.

Your green bin might not be emptied if it contains material that can be recycled using the food waste caddy, blue bin, burgundy bin, black box, brown bin and textile bag.

Contamination in bins

If your bin contains the wrong materials, the collection team will put a red tag on your bin explaining why it has not been emptied.

Without realising you could be unintentionally putting the wrong things in your recycling bin. This is called wishcycling.

Don't get caught out, it's important to put the right stuff in the right bin. Information about what goes in each of your bins, wishcycling and containers can be found in the what goes in my bins section.

We will not empty bins containing the wrong materials.

It is the householder's responsibility to remove the wrong materials and represent your bin on the next scheduled collection day. Alternatively, material can be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre where recyclable materials can be deposited.

Should you wish for your bin to be emptied before the next scheduled collection date, there will be charge of £18.75 per bin. To arrange an uplift please call the Contact Centre.

Please note the opportunity to pay £18.75 for an uplift is available as a one-off collection service, and should not be used on a repeated basis for recycling bins.

Missed brown bins

From 01 April 2023, to report a missed brown bin, you will need to provide the unique reference number on your garden waste permit. The unique reference number is detailed on the permit and on the letter sent with the permit.