[Stuart]

I can see people just looking at this, thinking "sod it" then throwing enough of the correct item into each bin/bag to make it look like they are following the rules and chucking the rest in the gray wheelie bin.

Make things too hard and, at best, people don't do them properly, and at worst, people try not to do them.


Apart from the fact that they won't usually collect garden waste (not without charging), and actively discourage wheelie bins (they will empty them, but will not supply them and do ask people not to use them), I think my council pretty much have it right.

We have one standard size bin for general waste, one green box for tins/glass/plastics (although they won't accept "soft" plastics like yoghurt pots) and one for paper/cardboard.

As for the other stuff, well, we do have quite a few bottle and clothes banks dotted around the area..

Oh, and they also ask that residents don't put rubbish out any earlier than 12 hours before it is due to be collected. I think this is partly because we have a problem with foxes, and partly for the smell. Sadly, people tend to ignore that request.