East Lothian’s collections split into a few different containers, and each one has its own set of materials. Most collections should be out by 7.00am on your collection day, with the brown bin needing a permit.
| Bin/container | What goes in it | When to put it out |
|---|---|---|
| Green bin | Non-recyclable waste only, such as tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, wrapping paper, padded envelopes, disposable cardboard cups, plastic bags/packets/wrappers/films, double-bagged sanitary waste, bubble wrap, polystyrene, compostable packaging, broken cutlery, drinking glasses, crockery, ceramics, small broken toys, plant pots, unusable textiles, double-bagged animal bedding/litter/faeces, medication blister packs, masonry, soil and turf, bricks, paint, gas cylinders, car batteries, corrosive chemicals, syringe needles, and unwrapped animal waste or unbagged nappies/hygiene waste if double bagged first | Put it at the kerbside, handles facing the road, by 7.00am on the day of collection |
| Brown bin | Garden waste only: grass cuttings, hedge clippings, leaves, twigs and small branches, shrub prunings, plants, weeds and flowers | Fortnightly, with a valid pre-paid garden waste permit; put it out by 7am on your collection day |
| White weighted bag | Plastics, metals and cartons: plastic drinks and toiletry bottles, cleaning bottles, detergent tubs, plastic food pots/jars/tubs/trays, plastic lids and tops, food and drinks tins and cans, empty aerosols, clean aluminium foil and trays, chocolate and biscuit tins, metal lids and tops, and liquid food/drink cartons | Seal the bag and put it at the kerbside for 7:00am on your collection day |
A couple of quick reminders: East Lothian says the brown bin won’t be emptied without a permit, and the green bin should only contain waste that can’t be recycled in your other containers. For recycling bins, if you put the wrong items in, the crew may sticker the container and ask you to present it again next collection day.