5 easy ways to remember your bin collection day

by Craig Pryce August 28, 2020

Years ago, it was easy to remember to put your wheelie bin or bin bag out for collection — after all, it was a regular service and there was only one bin to worry about.

Nowadays, most households have at least two wheelie bins — if not three or four, each with their own individual collection dates.

This is due to society’s increased recycling, which is, of course, a huge positive for the environment.

However, it means that some households have a general waste bin and a general recycle bin, while others have a separate bin for each stream — such as glass, plastics, paper/cardboard, and aluminium.

If your domestic setup falls into the latter type, you would be forgiven for feeling in mayhem with missed bin collections!

For many, it’s not just a case of remembering when your bin goes out — it’s a case of recalling what bin goes out when.

How many of us find ourselves stood in the garden on a weekday, wondering which bin day it is?

This article explores five great ways to remember all of your refuse collection dates and avoid missing a collection ever again.

wheelie bins in a row on collection day

1. Check the council sticker

Most local councils hand out bin stickers or a leaflet that outlines the rubbish bin collection dates for the coming year.

If you’ve been provided with stickers, stick them to the relevant bin for a quick reference guide.

If it’s a leaflet you’ve been given, pin it up somewhere handy in your home so you can quickly check it when required.

2. Create a poster

If you haven’t been provided with a list of collection dates, or have misplaced it, why not create your own instead using the information provided on the local council’s website?

Make your list weatherproof, attach one copy to each bin and pin one up inside, so you can always refer to it — whether you are inside or out.

3. Write it on your calendar

If you use a calendar or diary, then check your local council’s website and write in your refuse collection dates for the year ahead.

Don’t forget to update the dates though if there’s a change in circumstances — such as there was for the COVID-19 outbreak.

The dates are usually different than usual over major holidays too, such as the Christmas holiday, so check them carefully before transferring them to your calendar or diary.

4. Set a reminder

If you have a smartphone or a smart speaker in your home, then use one of those to check your local council collection dates online and set reminders based on the information found.

On your phone, it is simple to set up a recurring reminder but you’ll have to input separate reminders when the collection days differ to normal — such as over the Christmas holidays.

This helpful guide will help you to set up bin day reminders on your Alexa speaker.

5. Check your neighbours

If you know it’s a refuse collection day but aren’t sure which bin needs to go out, a quick way to check is to take a look at which bin your neighbours have put out! There may be one or two who have put a different bin out but go with the majority and you won’t go far wrong.

Concluding thoughts

In summary, life is hectic so, if you don’t want to miss any bin collections, then you are best off using one or more of the methods above.

If you are in any doubt about which wheelie bin to put out on any given day, always check your local council’s website and social media for the most up-to-date information.

Craig Pryce

With over 17 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, Craig is passionate about making recycling easier and reducing the negative impact of litter. He has been the managing director of Wheelie Bin Solutions (WBS) since January 2016, and prides the company on his expert knowledge, top-quality products, and customer service. His proudest moment was when WBS supported the 2012 Olympic Games, working in partnership with Contenur UK to supply over 9000 bin containers to all Olympic venues. Craig is always keen to share his knowledge, so whether you need advice about the benefits of a wheelie bin lock, or ideas for alternative uses for your wheelie bin, Craig will ensure your recycling and waste disposal habits are gold medal worthy.