Welwyn Hatfield has a simple setup: black rubbish bins, blue-lidded recycling bins, brown compost bins, and green food caddies. The key is to set them out by the right time on your normal collection day, and only use the brown bin if you’re signed up for garden waste.
| Bin | What goes in it | When to put it out |
|---|---|---|
| Black rubbish bin | General rubbish and non-recyclables | Put it on the boundary of your property by 5am on collection day. Don’t put it out before 5pm the night before. |
| Blue-lidded recycling bin | Glass, cans, foil, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, cardboard and cartons; inner box for paper | Put it on the boundary of your property by 6am on collection day. Don’t put it out before 5pm the night before. |
| Brown compost bin | Garden waste only, such as grass cuttings, leaves, hedge cuttings, branches and weeds | Only emptied if you’re subscribed to the garden waste service. Put it out by 6am on collection day, and don’t put it out before 5pm the night before. |
| Green food caddy | Raw and cooked food waste, including pet food, bones, tea bags, fruit and vegetable peelings | Put it on the boundary of your property by 6.30am on your usual collection day. Leave the lid closed. |
A few practical points: bins should be clearly visible, not blocking the pavement, and the lid must be closed. Welwyn Hatfield also says not to put bins out too early or leave them out after collection — bring them in by midday the day after collection.