Your Household Collection Service - Mainland

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General Information

In an effort to increase recycling rates in the County, encourage reduced consumption and waste generation, and save on waste collection costs, Orkney Islands Council (OIC) has - like the majority of all other Scottish Local Authorities, an Alternate Weekly Collection (AWC) service across the Orkney Mainland. Under the scheme, domestic refuse will be collected one week and recyclable items the next.

Allocation

Every household (paying Council Tax) is entitled to 1 grey refuse bin and 2 green recycling bins (with or without internal caddies for separation of recyclates). The ‘Wheelie Bin Allocation’ guide at the bottom of this page in the ‘Related Downloads’ section, gives further information on the bins provided.

Collection

The ‘Bin Collection Guide – Mainland’ document in the ‘Related Downloads’ section of this gives information on how to present your bins on the collection day.

If a bin store is used, please ensure that all relevant bins are out of the bin store and presented for collection at the kerbside by 08:00 on the day of collection.

What day is my bin collected?

Road lists for the various areas and collection calendars can be viewed in PDF format from the 'Related Downloads' section of the page. The lists contain the roads in each area, showing the collection area and collection day.

Maps for the East and West Mainland are also available in PDF format from the 'Related Downloads' section of this page, graphically summarising the collection areas.

Please note - There are two alternate weekly collection calendars. One relates to areas 1-8 and the other relates to 9-15.

Please remember, your bins/bags need to be put out at the collection point by 08:00!

In Need of Assistance

If you need help with:

An additional refuse bin - Properties no more than 75 metres from the collection point are provided with 1 grey refuse bin and up to 2 recycling bins. Households can apply for additional capacity if they feel the bins or bags are not sufficient. Residents can also request extra or larger recycling bins/ boxes and bags provided that they have the storage capacity and are presenting additional recyclates for collection on a regular basis.
An alternative collection method - For those properties over 75 metres from the collection point or for those who may have storage problems, an annual allocation of up to 75 red bags and a box / 3 bags for recycling can be provided.
An assisted waste collection - Assisted Waste Collections can be provided to those who need help, such as the elderly or those with mobility restrictions. Home visits or telephone contact may be carried out as required to determine whether and/or how assisted collections can be performed.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the collection and disposal of Household waste on mainland Orkney, please phone 01856873535 or email developmentandinfrastructure@orkney.gov.uk.