Tuesday , March , 19 2024
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Frequently Asked Questions

If you cannot find the information you want in our service pages, you may be able to find it on this main FAQ page.
After looking at the statistics of how users browse our site we have now focused on the most used services as priority, many hundreds of information pages on our site that were accessed rarely or sometimes not at all have now been removed to de-clutter and make our site easier to use.

However we still accept that some information is desirable to help our users better understand aspects of how Carlisle City Council services work, so we provide FAQ lists on most our section landing pages.
All FAQs including any FAQ that does not fit in any of our our site sections are accessible here in the master FAQ page.

Master FAQ ( select a category or search for answers )

Common Questions

Green Bags (Plastic OR paper, card and cartons)

Why have my green bags not been emptied?

  • Please ensure that you placed only plastics in one bag and cardboard, paper and cartons (e.g tetrapaks) in the other as we cannot recycle mixed bags. 
  • Your green bags need to be at the kerbside for collection by 7am (or the night before).  Unfortunately we are not able to return if you miss the collection.

Can I get replacement (or extra) green bag(s)?

  • Yes if a green bag is missing or you'd just like to receive additional green bag(s) to recycle more please use our order form.

Green Box

Why has my green box not been emptied?

Please ensure that you only placed items that we can recycle into your green box. These include:

  • empty glass bottles or jars (eg jam jars, coffee jars)
  • empty food tins (including biscuit tins) and drinks cans and empty aerosol cans 

We cannot recycle any other type of glass (for example Pyrex dishes) or any other types of metal.  Please do not place paper in your green box - this should now be placed into a green bag.

  • Your green box needs to be at the kerbside for collection by 7am (or the night before).  Unfortunately we are not able to return if you miss the collection.

Can I get a replacement (or extra) green box(es)?

  • Yes you can have up to 2 Greenboxes to recycle your waste; just use our order form.

Do I need to rinse containers and remove labels from tins or jars?

We ask that you rinse tins and jars as this keeps your recycling box clean and fresh and it is nicer for the crews that handle your waste. Containers just need a quick rinse (save water by rinsing in used washing up water).  You don't have to remove labels!  The recycling process does this for you.

How can I keep my green box clean and dry?

You can use a green box cover available from the Civic Centre - currently free of charge.  This fits easily over your green box and must be tied into place through the hole in the side or middle of your box using the threads provided on the cover.  The covers are designed to be pulled over your green box when it is placed outside to keep the contents dry and also prevent littering or unwanted materials being placed into your box.  Always ensure your cover is tied to your green box to prevent it blowing away!

Garden Waste Wheeled Bin

Why has my Garden Waste Bin not been emptied?

Please check that you only placed the following items into your Garden Waste Bin:

  • grass or hedge clippings
  • leaves
  • weeds
  • cut flowers or plants (please shake off excess soil)
  • twigs or small branches
  • real Christmas tree

We cannot lift bins that are too heavy with soil or rotted materials as our lifting equipment is fixed at maximum of 100kg.  Please do not place any wood, pet waste  or fruit or vegetable waste into your Garden Waste Bin as we cannot recycle these.

Please do not line your bin with black sacks/liners as we cannot recycle these!

  • Please make sure you placed it out before 7am at the kerbside (or the night before) as we cannot return if you placed your bin out late.
  • Please report any missed collection as soon as possible and leave your container out at the kerbside.  We will return to you as soon as possible if your missed collection is valid.

Can I get another Garden Waste Bin?

We no longer offer addtitional garden waste bins.  Alternatively home compost bins are available from just £11 (excluding delivery, while stocks last).  You can also take additional garden waste to a Household Waste Recycling Centre (Rome Street, Carlisle or Townfoot Industrial Estate, Brampton). 

Grey Rubbish Wheeled Bin

Why has my rubbish bin not been emptied?

  • Please make sure that you placed it out before 7am at the kerbside (or the night before) as we cannot return if you miss the collection.  Please see Help with your waste if you are struggling with your rubbish.
  • Your rubbish must be placed into your grey wheeled bin.  We will not collect sacks.  If you need a replacement wheeled bin, please use our order form.
  • Please do not overfill your rubbish bin as our equipment can only lift a maximum of 100kg.
  • Please only place household waste into your rubbish bin - bricks/rubble should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.
  • Please report the missed collection as soon as possible and leave your container out at the kerbside.

Can I get another grey rubbish bin?

If you have a larger family or two or more children in nappies registered as living at your property or we cannot offer you kerbside recycling facilities you may qualify for an additional 140 litre rubbish bin.  You may also qualify if you have a medical condition that generates additional waste.  Please apply for an additional bin.  We usually make a visit to your property to assess your application and to make sure you have all you need to recycle your waste.

Seagull-proof reusable sacks

Why was my 'gull' proof sack not emptied?

  • Please ensure that you placed your gull-proof sack out before 7am at the kerbside (or the night before) as we cannot return if you missed the collection.
  • Please ensure all your waste is bagged into refuse sack(s) first before being placed into your gull-proof sack.  We cannot empty if if your waste is placed in loose.
  • Only one sack will be collected (unless an additional sack has been previously approved).
  • Please do not leave any refuse beside your gull-proof sack as we will only collect waste that is placed into your gull-proof sack.
  • Please ensure that your gull-proof sack is left in the correct place for collection.  This is normally at the front of your property at the kerbside, but sometimes we can collect from back lanes if access is suitable.  If you are unsure please contact us to check.
  • Please report the missed collection as soon as possible and leave your container out at the kerbside.

Please do not leave sacks out early as this causes littering problems.

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