Fortnightly collections of paper, cans and glass are made from all properties with ground floor access. Boxes should be placed on the edge of your property, next to the pavement (please take care not to obstruct traffic or pedestrians). 

Please wrap up broken glass safely and throw away with your general refuse.

What materials can I recycle in my black box?

Glass (bottles and jars), cans (food and drinks), newspapers, magazines, junk mail, catalogues, phone directories (including Yellow Pages), printer paper and shredded paper (placed in a sealed envelope; paper bag; or in a piece of crumpled-up newspaper).

Please ensure that all food and drinks containers have been rinsed clean.

Where can I recycle plastic bottles?

We are unable to collect plastic bottles in your black box.

Plastic bottles can be recycled at a number of 'bring sites' located throughout the borough.

Following a successful bid for £1.8million of government funding we are making improvements to our recycling and rubbish service. As part of this we will be extending our kerbside collection service to incorporate plastic bottles and cardboard.

We're focusing on plastic bottles only as they're made from the main types (or polymers) of plastic which can be easily recycled. We can't currently recycle plastic trays, yogurt pots or margarine tubs, as they're made from a different type or lower quality plastic.

Where can I recycle cardboard?

We are unable to collect cardboard with the other recyclable items in your black box.

However, Cardboard can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre  in Stourbridge, or at a number of 'bring sites' located in other areas of the borough.

Following a successful bid for £1.8million of government funding we are making improvements to our recycling and rubbish service. As part of this we will be extending our kerbside collection service to incorporate cardboard and plastic bottles.

I don’t have a black box, how do I get one?

All residential properties (with the exception of some flats) are entitled to a free black box for the collection of paper, cans and glass. To obtain your box and collection calendar, please contact use the Joining/Leaving Recycling Schemes online form.

Do I need a black box to be able to recycle?

If you have limited storage space, and cannot accommodate a black box, you can still recycle. Simply request a collection calendar by contacting us as per the details at the bottom of the page. Then place your recyclables in plastic carrier bags at the edge of your property, and they will be collected fortnightly. Please do NOT use black sacks.

Why has my black box not been collected?

For health and safety reasons we are unable to collect broken glass.

Only container containing the correct materials will be collected. For hygiene reasons all food and drinks containers must also be rinsed clean (you can save water by rinsing containers out after washing up).

Your recyclables are collected on a fortnightly basis, please check that you have your box out on the correct week.

Your box must be placed at the edge of your property by 7.30am. You may be used to getting your recycling collected later in the day, however, manning or route changes could mean that you get an earlier collection.

Extra cans and paper can be placed in any suitable container for collection. Recyclables placed in black sacks will NOT be collected as our operatives will not be able to see what is in the bottom of the bag, which will be treated as general rubbish.

If you have met all of these conditions and your black box has still not been collected, you can report it as a missed collection and we will make special arrangements to return and collect your box. Please contact us as per the details at the bottom of the page.

Can Pyrex, greenhouse glass, drink glasses and light bulbs be recycled?

No. These items are made from glass with a different melting point to glass containers. If included, they produce weak points in the new glass containers produced, making them unsuitable for use.

Energy saving light bulbs can be recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centre  in Stourbridge, and should be placed with the fluorescent tubes.

Can you recycle yellow pages and other telephone directories?

Both white and yellow paged directories can now be recycled in the black box.

Can you recycle shredded paper?

Yes you can, in small quantities. To avoid the paper blowing away and causing a mess, please place it in a used / sealed envelope; paper bag; or in a piece of crumpled-up newspaper. Shredded paper also makes a great addition to a home composting bin, and can be added in fairly large quantities.

Can you recycle wallpaper?

Unfortunately it is not possible to recycle either used or unused wallpaper through the black box scheme. Various coatings and other contaminants mean it is not possible to recycle wallpaper back into paper.

Do I need to separate materials within my box?

It does help if residents can separate different materials within their box, however, it is not a requirement to do so. Separately bagged items are easier and quicker to sort, minimising the risk of cuts from sharp objects and reducing time spent blocking roads.

Items can be easily separated without using carrier bags. Simply bunch papers together at one end of the box, stand glass bottles and jars at the other end, and place any loose cans on top.

What time does my black box have to be out?

Your box must be placed at the edge of your property by 7.30am. You may be used to getting your recycling collected later in the day, however, manning or route changes could mean that you get an earlier collection.

How do I order a calendar?

Please contact use our online Joining/Leaving Recycling Schemes form to order your calendar or check your black box collection day online.

Where do I need to place my black box for collection?

Recycling boxes should be placed in prominent positions – at the edge of your property next to the pavement. Where properties front the street, boxes should be put on the pavement so long as they do not cause an obstruction.

What if I have more recyclables than will fit into my black box?

If you have more recycling than will fit in the box, excess cans and paper can be put out in any suitable container.

Glass bottles and jars must be placed in the black box, however, excess papers and cans should be placed in carrier bags (or any other suitable container) beside your box. Do not put your recycling into black bags, or it will be treated as general rubbish.

Additional boxes may be issued on a discretionary basis.

Due to age or disability I am unable to place my box at the edge of my property, can you help?

The council may be able to provide help to residents who are unable to put out their refuse and do not have anyone else to assist them.

If you are someone or know someone who is unable to put out refuse for collection because of serious illness or disability, and if there is no family or helpful neighbour who can assist, please use our Assisted Collections online form or contact us using the details below.

Joining our recycling schemes

To join a scheme, request a calendar, black box, green bin or recycling bag please use our online form. Please note that participation in the plastic and cardboard trial is only possible if you live in one of the pre-selected streets.

Report any collection issues

You can use our Collection Issues Online form to report queries and issues relating to the collections for household refuse collections, garden waste collections and kerbside recycling collections.

Only one waste service collection issue can be reported at a time, e.g. if you have issues with more than one collection service you will need to complete two separate instances of this form.