Trial recycling bin (red lid)

A small area of around 1400 homes in the Marsden and Whitburn area was selected to trial a new recycling solution. This started in February 2019. 

This is funded by our recycling contractor and it is designed to increase the amount and quality of paper collected.

If your area has been selected, you will receive information in the post to explain the trial in detail, and bin collection dates.

How the trial properties were chosen

This was based on several factors including:

• current levels of recycling on various collection rounds
• types of properties
• location within the Borough

Residents in the trial area should have full information to explain what goes in each bin and what dates the new bins will be delivered and collected.

Unfortunately, this is a trial and we cannot include all properties in South Tyneside. We will review the results of the trial and may roll this out to more properties in the future. 

What happens to the recycling once it has been collected

Recycling is taken to a transfer station and then transferred to a materials recovery facility which sorts the materials into individual streams. These can then be sold to re-processors for recycling.

The paper can be used in a paper mill to produce newspapers and magazines and mixed paper and card can then be used to make more cardboard. 

This bin is only for your paper and card and is the same as your other bins.

The bin is a standard size the same as your household and blue recycling bin (Capacity: 240 litres).

Collections will be every four weeks on a Thursday. Check your bin collection dates.

This bin can be used for:

• brochures
• all cardboard (no polystyrene or bubble wrap)
• newspapers and magazines
• junk mail and envelopes
• telephone directories and catalogues
• yellow pages
• paper including shredded paper (wrapped in newspaper)

Recycling bins will not be collected if any incorrect items are placed inside.

Dirty or greasy cardboard, plastic bags and sacks of any kind cannot be recycled in this recycling bin and can only be disposed of in your household bin. We will not remove any materials left next to the bin or put out in bin bags.

No wet paper or cardboard should go in the bin. Wet paper and cardboard can stick to the machinery and clog up the system at the recycling plant.

This bin is for mixed recycling such as plastic, glass, cans and aerosols. 

Collections for this bin will be every four weeks on a Thursday. Check your bin collection dates.

It can be used for:

• food and drink cans
• plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays
• aerosols
• glass bottles and jars
• food and drink cartons

Recycling bins will not be collected if any incorrect items are placed inside.

Cardboard and paper will no longer be accepted in the blue bin. This will only be accepted in the red lidded bin. This is to increase the amount of paper recycled separately as it is one of the most valuable materials.

Dirty or greasy cardboard, plastic bags and sacks of any kind cannot be recycled in this recycling bin and can only be disposed of in your household bin. We will not remove any materials left next to the bin or put out in bin bags.

For information on what can and cannot be recycled see What can be recycled.

Inner caddy

Please remove the inner caddy from the bin as it's no longer needed, do not put your caddy out for collection as it will not be emptied. This can be used for something else as these will not be collected.

Please keep this at your property. The card / paper bin is a trial and we may return to using the caddy in the future.

The blue bin and red lidded bin should be collected once every 4 weeks instead of fortnightly. They will be collected as follows:

• Week 1: Grey bin (household)
• Week 2: Red lidded bin (card / paper)
• Week 3: Grey bin (household)
• Week 4: Blue bin (plastics / cans / glass / cartons)

You can still get help with putting your bins out if needed.

If you have excess materials these can be recycled at the Recycling Village, Middlefields.

If you put the the wrong materials in the bins

We cannot empty bins that contain wrong materials. Wrong materials can contaminate the load.

Bins with wrong items will be stickered / tagged and will not be emptied until the next collection day.

Please remove the wrong items from the bin before the next collection day.

We will not empty recycling bins if they contain:

• plastic carrier bags / sacks of any kind
• food waste
• wood
• textiles
• nappies
• polystyrene
• takeaway pizza boxes
• plastic film and wrappings from boxes

A full A-Z list of what can and cannot be recycled can be found at what can be recycled.

We cannot empty bins that contain wrong materials. Wrong materials can contaminate the load.

Bins with wrong items will be stickered / tagged and will not be emptied until the next collection day.

Please remove the wrong items from the bin before the next collection day.

We will not empty recycling bins if they contain:

• plastic carrier bags / sacks of any kind
• food waste
• wood
• textiles
• nappies
• polystyrene
• takeaway pizza boxes
• plastic film and wrappings from boxes

A full A-Z list of what can and cannot be recycled can be found at Recycling A-Z.

For more information on why we can't recycle certain materials, see If you put non-recyclables in your blue bin.

If you have moved house, you can request new bins online at order a new bin or caddy or through the Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000.

All bins will be subject to a charge.

We can assess your needs if you cannot fit all your recycling in the bin. Larger families may be entitled to a second recycling bin.

Please make sure you wash and squash all containers and place the caps back on plastic bottles, so the air stays out. You should also flatten and cut up cardboard boxes as they can contain a lot of wasted space.

If you think you have no room to store another wheeled bin (for example, in flats, terraced houses, bedsits etc), a visit can be arranged to assess your individual circumstances.

Please call 0191 427 7000 or email waste@southtyneside.gov.uk to speak to the Waste Team.

All residents in the trial scheme can receive a replacement red lidded bin free of charge. Please ring the Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000.

If your current grey household and / or blue recycling bin is lost or damaged, then you must pay for these.