If your green recycling bin has non-recyclable items, it’s contaminated and won’t be emptied.
However, if you think your waste collection was missed by accident, you can report a missed collection through the online portal.
Red hanger on your recycling bin
Non-recyclable items in recycling bins are costly to remove at the sorting place.
If the recycling crew checks the top of your bin and found non-recyclable items, they’ll leave a red hanger on the bin handle without emptying it. This will also be noted on the vehicle’s on-board computer system.
The most common non-recyclable items are non-bottle shaped plastics – pots, tubs and trays and carrier bags. Other non-recyclable items include glass, food, nappies, rubbish bags, batteries.
What you can do
If it happens for the first time
Check what you can and cannot put in your recycling bin and remove any non-recyclable items. You can also use the online checker to find out which bin a specific item goes in. You can place extra recycling in a cardboard box next to your bin on your next collection day.
If you’re not sure and need support, contact our recycling and rubbish team on 023 9284 1105 or at recyclingandrubbish@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
If you request it, our waste management officer (WMO) will visit your property to offer personalised guidance. If you have an individual bin, after the visit, the bin will be emptied as a goodwill gesture.
Please note:
- if you have a communal bin (shared by several flats), we won’t empty the contaminated bin for free – your landlord or managing agent need to address this
- only household waste-contaminated bins will be emptied
If it happens more than once
If it happens again after the first time and you receive another red hanger, you can choose one of the following:
- remove the non-recyclable items yourself – the recycling bin will be collected on your next schedule date
- take the contaminated waste to the HWRC – you can book a slot and take it to the tip in Port Solent
- landlords and managing agents can also request council services to empty the contaminated bin – a call-out charge applies
The current charges for council service to empty your bin are:
- 660 litre – £66 per container (communal bin)
- 1100 litre – £110 per container (communal bin)