Recycling Frequently Asked Questions

Q  Why is Welwyn Hatfield Council encouraging recycling?  
A  Disposing of rubbish in landfill is a waste of valuable resources and has serious environmental impacts. Recycling as much as possible will help to reduce the need for raw materials and using landfill less will help to prevent pollution of the ground, water and air. Financial penalties introduced by the government discourage the use of landfill and recycling targets have been set for all local authorities.                              

Q  How will the containers achieve this? 
A  We have found that offering people a box encourages them to start and keep up the recycling habit. It also makes recycling much more convenient and encourages people to separate their rubbish.

Q  But I don’t have room for a container, what do I do? 
A  We realise that a container may not be suitable for everyone. If space is an issue then the paper containers have close fitting lids so can be kept outside if required (the glass containers don't need lids). If you genuinely don’t want the container, please telephone 01707 357000 and we will take them back. 

Q  Surely these containers will block the pavements causing hazards?
A  We encourage people to place their boxes on the edge of their own property. If this is not possible then ensure that any boxes left on the pavement are in a safe place. Please refer to your recycling calendar card.

Q Why are we concentrating on paper, green waste and glass?                     
A  The government encourage us to concentrate our efforts on recyclable materials that are heavy and/or compostable. Paper and green waste are both of these and glass is heavy so they are ideal materials to collect. 

Q Why can't I recycle drinking glasses or Pyrex dishes?
A These are made using a different process to glass packaging, which melts at a much lower temperature. Drinking glasses and Pyrex dishes contaminate the process because they melt at high temperatures and is therefore not suitable for being recycled into packaging.

Q Can I have two brown bins?
A The brown bin scheme has been calculated based on the allocation of one bin per property. Therefore, we are unable to provide households with more than one bin.

Q Why can't I put food waste in my brown bin?
A Laws introduced after the last foot and mouth outbreak state that food waste must be composted in an enclosed system to ensure that any diseases present are killed off. Currently this type of facility is not available to Welwyn Hatfield, therefore we are unable to collect food waste. Some foods can successfully be composted at home.

Q How early is too early to put out my recycling?
A We request that recycling should be made available no earlier than the evening (5pm) before your collection day. It should definately be available from 8am on the collection day. Similarly, bins and boxes should be taken back on to your property no later than the morning following collection. Please help us to keep the streets as tidy as possible.

Q Why doesn’t the council collect recycling on bank holidays?
A There are two main reasons. Firstly, everyone is entitled to a bank holiday! Secondly, the tips we use to take your refuse/recycling to are not open on bank holidays. As the lorries became full we would be unable to empty them and therefore we cannot collect.

Q How can I find out more about recycling in Hertfordshire?

A Check out the Waste Aware website for further information. Here there is a search facility for different materials and advice on where to recycle them.