Waste information and guidance for student households

The start of the autumn term often sees an increased number of waste-related problems in Exeter, with many student households in rental properties finding that the previous occupants or builders have left waste behind over the summer.

The following information on waste collection policies may help you and your tenants if they have a problem with rubbish.

To keep your neighbourhood clean, please remember:

1. It's the responsibility of your landlord or managing agent to remove any waste that was left behind and not produced by you – either inside or outside the bin. Your black and green bins are provided for your day-to-day household waste. We limit the size and number of black bins a household can have to encourage recycling and minimise waste.
2. We will only collect rubbish that is inside your black bin with the lid closed. We will not collect rubbish put beside a bin, on top of a closed bin, or in an overfilled bin so the lid can't be closed.
3. If you have extra rubbish, you must arrange for its removal yourself. This includes any rubbish within the boundary of your property which may attract vermin or become a nuisance.
4. Do not leave your bin on the pavement at any time other than when it is due for collection. You can put it out from 6pm on the night before collection day, but please bring it back in as soon as you can after it has been collected.
5. Bins left on the pavement are an obstruction and are liable to be removed. You will be charged for a replacement.
6. You may also be charged for bins that go missing (are stolen or otherwise disappear, except where they are damaged by the crew or the collection vehicle).
7. We advise stickering your bin or painting it with your house number to help prevent it from going missing.

We offer a special waste collection service; otherwise the recycling centres can take up to 8 bags per year per household if you book it in beforehand.

Households that overfill their black bin are often not aware what can be recycled in Exeter or do not recycle everything they can.

In Exeter, you can put the following items in your green bin:

• tins
• cans
• foil
• plastic packaging (bottles with lids, tubs, pots, trays, non-crinkly bags)
• cardboard
• paper (except wrapping paper)

See our recycling pages for more information.

You can put out as much recycling as you like as long as it's in bags beside the green bin.

Thank you for your help keeping Exeter tidy. If you need any further advice, please visit our Bins and recycling popular queries pages.