Garden waste collections update

Due to the ongoing impact of Coronavirus, we have a number of HGV drivers that fall into the ‘vulnerable’ group. We have therefore taken the steps to divert our resources to protect our key operational services for residents such as refuse and recycling collections. It has therefore been necessary to suspend all garden waste services until further notice. We are also unable to take any new bookings for our bulky waste collection service.

We ask for your support and understanding in these unprecedented times as we work to maintain your refuse collections and other priority services. Please check our website for updates or changes to your service.

As Cumbria County Council have now closed all of their Household Waste Recycling Centres (tips), due to people making unnecessary trips out of their home and not sticking to the 2 metres rule, here are some options of how to manage your garden waste in the meantime:

• hold onto your garden waste until we are able to start collections again.

• purchase a discounted Home Compost bin - £7.50 from www.getcomposting.com (if still being delivered)
• purchase a discounted Green Johanna food waste digester and composter - £20 from www.greatgreensystems.com/promotions/ggscumbria (if still being delivered)

Please do not put garden waste into your household bin as it may not be emptied.

Our Carlisle City Council recycling bring sites are still open and being emptied, but the public should only use these if already going out for a necessary journey e.g. to get food from the Supermarket. General rubbish and garden waste should not be left at the recycling bring sites otherwise those responsible are likely to be fined.

If you have any bulky waste items, try contacting a local charity who may be able to take re-usable bulky furniture or electrical items.

We are sorry for any inconvenience this has caused. It is challenging times for everyone and, as a council, we need to prioritise refuse collections, then recycling collections before garden waste collections (non statutory service).

Thank you for your co-operation and support.

Collection calendars

Collection days have not changed, so please just continue to place your recycling and refuse containers out for emptying on your usual day/s (before 7am) or check your collection day/s using the address search box above for any changes over holiday periods.

Recycling collections (green box and green bags) 

Please see our how to recycle guide for which items you can place into your recycling containers.

Grey refuse wheeled bins (fortnightly collection)

Collection dates and information about using your bin are highlighted on your waste collection calendar, which can be downloaded using the form above.  More information about using your refuse wheeled bin can also be found on your questions answered page.

Some of our terrace properties receive a back lane refuse collection. If you are unsure of your collection point, firstly please check where your neighbours have placed their refuse bin/gull sack on collection day. If still unsure, please contact us for clarification.

Gull-proof reusable sack (weekly collection)

Please bag all your refuse into a refuse sack(s) and place the sack(s) into your reusable gull-proof sack. Make sure you close the lid and use the ties to loop through the handle and bow loosely across the top. This short video will show you how to use your gull-proof sack. Leave it out on the collection day by 7am (or no sooner than the night before) and take it back in promptly. There is a pocket on the sack to mark your house number. To find out which day we collect your gull-proof sack each week, type your postcode into the box above.  Collection calendars have been posted to all residents and you can check your collections dates online using the postcode search above.

We will only collect rubbish that is contained within your gull-proof sack. Please do not place any additional waste beside your gull-proof sack.

Some of our terrace properties receive a back lane refuse collection. If you are unsure of your collection point, firstly please check where your neighbours have placed their refuse bin/gull sack on collection day. If still unsure, please contact us for clarification.

Swap to a smaller gull-proof sack

There are two sizes of gull-proof sack available. If you don't produce much waste you can swap your existing gull-proof sack for a smaller one free of charge by bringing it into the Civic Centre.