Household Waste Regulations 2024
Waste regulations made under the London Local Authorities Act 2007.
Definitions
“clinical waste” and “hazardous waste” has the meaning given to it by The Controlled Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2012.
“collection” means the emptying of bins or caddies or the collecting of recycling sacks.
“collection point” means any point where waste is placed by the waste producer for collection by the council.
“HMO” or “House in Multiple Occupation” means any property that is occupied by more than one person whereby the occupants are not part of the same family (or partners).
“household” for the purpose of this document refers to any property that is liable for council tax.
“kerbside collection property” means a property required to put rubbish and recycling receptacles, either on the pavement outside of the property for collection, or within the property boundary where the boundary wall/ fence meets the highway.
“non-time banded street” means any street or public highway where no specific time bands exist but where waste presented for collection on a public highway must be removed within 2 ½ hours of its deposit.
“Public highway” means any street maintainable at public expense for the purposes of the Highways Act 1980.
“receptacle(s)” means any permitted container for waste including sacks.
“recyclable” is defined for the purpose of these regulations as clean material accepted as part of Tower Hamlets recycling service, including carboard, mixed paper, food & drink cans, mixed glass, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays.
“residual waste” means anything no longer wanted by a household that is not deemed reusable or recyclable.
“reusable” is defined for the purpose of these regulations as anything that is no longer wanted by a household that could still be used by another person.
“storage point” means any point where waste is stored prior to placement at the collection point.
“street” has the meaning given to it by section 343 of the Public Health Act 1936.
“time banded streets” means a streets where putting waste and recycling out for collection is limited to specified times, twice daily, 7 days per week. These times will be displayed on street signs for each time banded street.
“time banded property” means a property located on a time banded street, with no space for outside storage of rubbish and recycling, that is required to place waste and recycling bags on the pavement for collection at specified times only.
“waste” means all unwanted materials and residual waste - specifically unrecyclable black bag waste.
Street-level Properties
Definition of a kerbside collection property
If a household is required to present their waste and recycling in receptacles on the pavement outside their property, or within the property boundary where the boundary wall or fence meet the highway, then it is by definition a ‘kerbside collection property’ for the purpose of these regulations.
There may be instances where households on ‘kerbside collection property’ provide their own receptacle, where permitted to do so by us. These households are also defined as a ‘kerbside collection property’ for the purpose of these regulations.
Any black sack placed out for collection should not be excessively heavy, and or must not present a health and safety risk to our crew. Where the collection crew cannot safely pick up a bag it will not be collected. The householder, or person responsible for the waste storage, will be required to remove sufficient material from the bag so that it can be safely collected on the next scheduled collection day.
Type and numbers of receptacles for household waste from kerbside collection properties
All households on kerbside collection for residual waste are required to present their waste in their own black sacks made of robust quality so as not to allow any spillage or seepage onto the public highway or at the collection point.
In the instances that households are permitted to provide their own bins, the bin must be BS EN840 Standard compliant.
We provide residents on kerbside collection properties with clear recycling sacks for disposal of the expected production of recyclable waste from their premises. Clear sacks are delivered twice yearly but residents can order more as required. All cardboard should be broken down and flattened before placing it in your recycling sack/container.
We provide recycling wheelie bins to ground floor kerbside collection properties with a front garden on request. The recycling bin must be stored within the curtilage of the property and not on the public highway.
Food waste collection is available to kerbside collection properties who live on the ground floor. We provide residents with free receptacles for the disposal of food waste. This includes a 7 litre kitchen caddy for use within the property, and a 23 litre kerbside caddy for presentation of waste. These items will be delivered only on request by the household and remain the property of Tower Hamlets Council at all times.
Household waste receptacles shall be maintained by the occupiers of the relevant premises in a reasonable state for storage of waste without sharp edges or holes and with all handles in good condition. They should be fit for purpose and not pose any health and/or safety risk to our operatives.
A household waste receptacle will not be considered suitable, if it allows waste or fluids of any kind to escape or cause litter.
Placing of receptacles for household waste from kerbside collection properties to allow collection
Any container permitted for the presentation of waste or recycling should be presented for collection within the property boundary where the boundary wall/fence meets the highway unless otherwise stated by the council or where a pre-agreed assisted collection is in place.
If properties are located down a private driveway/access road, then the containers must be presented within the property boundary where the private driveway/access road meets the adopted highway unless otherwise agreed/directed by us.
Any bin permitted for the presentation of residual waste must be presented for collection with the bin lid completely closed and all content contained within the bin. Placing residual waste out for collection outside of the bin is not permitted and may be subject to enforcement action.
Waste receptacles may be stored or presented for collection on the public highway only when and where permitted to do so by us.
No waste should be stored or presented for collection on the public highway unless specifically permitted by us.
Households with fences higher than 4ft or otherwise preventing sight of the receptacles on the property must place the receptacles out for collection on the public highway. They are permitted to do so from 9pm the day before the scheduled collection and the bin must be out no later than 7am on the day scheduled for collection. These bins must be moved off the public highway by 9pm on the day that the collection has taken place.
The substances or articles which may or may not be put into kerbside collection property waste receptacles.
Recyclable material must not be disposed of in residual waste receptacles. Find out what you can recycle.
Food waste must not be disposed of in residual waste bins.
Non-recyclable materials must not be placed in the recycling bags, including nappies and textiles. Food waste must not be disposed of in recycling bags.
Where a separate food waste collection is provided, food waste must not be disposed of in any bin other than the food waste bin.
Bulky and reusable items should not be disposed of through household bins.
Clinical waste must be disposed of as directed by the resident’s GP or hospital.
Communal Waste Properties
Definition of a communal waste property
If a household disposes of their waste and recycling in a shared communal bin of any size, then it is defined as a ‘communal waste property’ for the purpose of these regulations.
Type and numbers of receptacles for household waste from communal waste properties
Where Tower Hamlets Council, owners, occupiers, landlords or managing agents of premises provide communal bins for waste and recycling, they must comply with our guide to rubbish and recycling for purpose built flats. This includes the number, size, construction and placement of the bins and this provision must be approved by our Waste Strategy Team through the planning process.
All receptacles to be emptied or collected by us shall be hired or provided by us or sourced privately to the agreed BS EN 840 standard.
A household waste receptacle shall not be considered suitable if it allows waste or fluids of any kind to escape or cause litter.
All communal bins provided by us, either free of charge or through a hire agreement, remain the property of Tower Hamlets Council.
You don’t need sacks to recycle. Empty your recycling into the communal recycling bins loose or use any clear sack.
In some places, we will provide residents with free receptacles for the disposal of food waste. This includes a 7 litre caddy for use within the property and disposable liners for the 7 litre caddy. These items will be delivered only on request by the household and remain the property of the Council at all times.
Household waste receptacles shall be maintained by the providers or hirers of the receptacle in a reasonable state for storage of waste without sharp edges or holes and with all handles in good condition. They should be fit for purpose and not pose any health or safety risk to our operatives.
Waste should not be placed on the floor of the bin storage area.
Waste on the floor will not be deemed to be presented for collection and will not be removed.
In all cases the storage point or collection point for any household waste must be physically separated from any storage point or collection point for trade waste.
Placing of receptacles for household waste from communal waste properties to allow collection
The placement of communal waste and recycling bins must comply with our guide to rubbish and recycling for purpose built flats.
If this is not possible then there must be a waste strategy in place explaining how the bins will be serviced that has been approved by us through the planning process.
To dispose of large items safely, our guidance on bulky waste collections must be followed. With items brought down to a suitable location at ground floor level within the property boundary.
All collection points for household waste must be fully accessible to us.
The substances or articles which may or may not be put into communal household waste receptacles
Recyclable material must not be disposed of in residual waste receptacles. Find out what you can recycle.
Non-recyclable materials must not be placed in the recycling bins, including nappies and textiles. Food waste must not be disposed of in recycling bins.
Food waste must not be disposed of in any bin other than the food waste bin where the property receives food waste collection service.
Bulky and reusable items should not be disposed of through household bins.
Clinical waste must be disposed of as directed by the resident’s GP or hospital.
Time Banded Properties
Definition of a time banded property
If a household is located on a street designated as a time banded street and has not been provided with a receptacle for waste containment then it is defined as a ‘time banded property’ for the purpose of these regulations.
If a property on a time banded road has been provided with a receptacle for waste or is communal waste property then it is not a ‘kerbside collection property’ as per section 1 regardless of its location on a time banded road.
Find out which streets and property are time banded.
Type and numbers of receptacles for household waste from time banded properties
Time banded properties are permitted to place their residual waste out for collection on the public highway (pavement) in black sacks/bin liners during the time bands for their street.
We do not provide residual waste containment to time banded properties.
Any residual waste sack placed out for collection should not be excessively heavy, and must not present a health and safety risk to our collection crew.
We provide residents on time banded properties with clear recycling sacks for disposal of the expected production of recyclable waste from their premises. Clear sacks are delivered twice yearly but residents can order more as required.
Time banded properties are permitted to place their recycling out for collection on the public highway (pavement) in the council-provided clear sacks or their own clear sacks during the time bands for their street.
Time banded properties are not permitted to place food waste on the public highway at any time unless specifically permitted by us.
Placing of receptacles for household waste from time banded properties to allow collection
Time banded properties are permitted to place their waste and recycling out on the public highway (pavement) for collection in the appropriate receptacles only during the time bands for their street.
The receptacle(s) should be placed on the highway close to the curb outside the address where the waste was produced. It should not be placed in such a location where it impedes movement of pedestrians on the pavement or access to business properties.
The substances or articles which may or may not be put into household waste receptacles from time banded properties
Recyclable material must not be disposed of in residual waste receptacles. Find out what you can recycle.
Non-recyclable materials must not be placed in the recycling bins/sacks, including nappies and textiles.
Bulky and reusable items should not be disposed of through household bins.
Clinical waste must be disposed of as directed by the resident’s GP or hospital.
Bulky waste collections
Unless otherwise agreed by us, when a request for collection of bulky waste from a premises producing household waste is made, the bulky waste shall be placed for collection either on the footway immediately adjacent to the front door/gate or entrance way of the premises (but not so as to block access to or exit from neighbouring premises and allowing safe passage on the footway for pedestrians to pass unimpeded) or visible and readily accessible within the door/gate or entrance way.
When a request is made to the council to collect bulky waste, that waste must be readily removable by two operatives without the use of mechanical handling aids.
Where we agrees to collect bulky waste from a collection point not on the street immediately adjacent to the front door/gate or entranceway of the premises or readily accessible within the front door/gate or entranceway, then the occupier shall take such steps as are required to facilitate collection. Such steps may include the removal of obstructions and protecting fixed and mobile property from accidental damage.
Where we agree to collect bulky waste from premises, the bulky waste shall be placed on the street no earlier than 9pm the day before the scheduled collection and no later than 7am on the day scheduled for collection.
Any bulky waste should be clearly marked with the order reference number. No waste other than that specified in the bulky waste collection order should be placed out for collection.
Non-Clinical waste or offensive waste
Non-clinical offensive hygiene waste is a type of household healthcare waste that can be disposed of with other rubbish. Examples include nappies, feminine hygiene products and incontinence waste. This should be non-infectious waste, that does not require specialist treatment or disposal.
We will collect non-clinical / offensive waste from residential properties but this should be double bagged to avoid any spillage.
The double bagged waste must not be excessively heavy.
Clinical waste
Clinical waste is defined as any waste which may cause infection to any person coming into contact with it. This may consist wholly or partly of: human or animal tissue; blood or other body fluids; excretions; drugs or pharmaceutical products; swabs or dressings; syringes; needles or other sharp instruments. It is waste which unless rendered safe may prove hazardous to any person coming into contact with it.
This service is only available to residential households in Tower Hamlets, we cannot collect clinical waste without a referral from a GP or healthcare professional.
You can get referrals for the service from NHS surgeries in Tower Hamlets that have access to the online referral form via the EMIS system. Application information can be found on the council website - Clinical and healthcare waste collections (towerhamlets.gov.uk)
Drugs or pharmaceuticals are not permitted in the regular waste or offensive waste collections; drugs or pharmaceuticals need to be returned to the GP or chemist where they came from.
Householders MUST NOT dispose of syringes, needles and other hazardous healthcare waste in your waste or recycling.