Household waste and recycling

Your bin collection

On the Mainland and Shapinsay, waste and recycling are collected on an alternating weekly basis. One week your refuse (grey bin) is collected, and the next your recycling (green bin). Check your collection calendar for your schedule.

Your bin or bags must be out by 8am on your collection day.

Isles collections

On the outer isles (except Shapinsay), a weekly bag collection is in place. Bags must be out by 8am on collection day. Do not overfill bags, and make sure they are tied securely to prevent spillage. When putting out bags, keep them clear of footpaths to avoid trip hazards. If a collection point is on a grass verge, place bags well clear of the road.

Residents of Stronsay can collect bags from the Island Link Office on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, 10am to 12 noon. All other outer isles residents can call 01856 873535 to request bags.

Isles collection days:

• Monday: Sanday and Westray
• Tuesday: Flotta and Graemsay
• Wednesday: Eday and Shapinsay (alternate weekly)
• Thursday: Hoy, North Ronaldsay, Papa Westray, Rousay, Stronsay, Egilsay and Wyre

Windy weather advice

On windy days, collection crews work hard to empty bins safely. Here are a few things you can do to help.

• Use your judgement. If your recycling bin is light or only half full, consider keeping it until your next collection.
• Do not use ropes, bungees or heavy weights to secure bins. These can get caught in bin lorry mechanisms and cause delays. A weight of up to 2kg is fine, or a piece of electrical tape over the lid.
• If you need a more secure solution, we have approved two bin clips for use in Orkney:
  • Schafer clips, available from the Council Offices, School Place, Kirkwall, and Warehouse Building, Stromness, for £5.50 each
  • Caithness Beach Clean bin closers, made from recycled material, available from StormWashed on Etsy

Only one clip per bin is needed. Clips cannot be delivered.

If a collection is cancelled due to bad weather, we will try to re-collect, but cannot always guarantee this. Where a repeat collection is not possible, hold on to your waste until your next scheduled collection or take it to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. Check our home page and Facebook for updates.

Please also be considerate to your neighbours. If an elderly neighbour needs help putting out their bins on a windy day, a helping hand is always appreciated.

Household Waste Recycling Centres

We have five Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) and Recycling Centres across Orkney. The HWRCs at Hatston, Garson and Bossack accept household waste including black bag waste and large items. The Recycling Centres at St Margaret's Hope and Cursiter accept recyclables only and do not take black bag waste or large household items.

Please read the signs on each container before depositing materials. Come prepared for the weather on windy days. Sites are for domestic use only. If you arrive in a van or with a trailer, you may be asked to show a hire agreement to confirm you are not a business.

Please note that skips can fill up faster than we can empty them, and we may occasionally have to close a site or turn vehicles away. We apologise for any inconvenience.

Opening times

What each site accepts

Special (bulky) collections

Items too big for your grey refuse bin can be collected through our special collection service. Charges apply and are listed in our Council Charges register.

Bulky items include furniture, household electrical appliances (such as white goods), rugs, garden furniture, bicycles and other portable household items. The following are not accepted: carpet or underlay, fitted kitchen or bathroom units, doors and windows, fencing panels or gates, greenhouses or sheds, boilers or storage heaters, gas bottles, tyres, or building and refurbishment waste.

A three-piece suite counts as three items. Items must be able to be safely lifted by two people.

Alternatively, call Customer Services on 01856 873535. Bookings must be made at least 2 working days before the collection week. Any booking received after 5pm on the Wednesday before the collection week will be held over to the next available date.

For commercial special collections, call 01856 873535, extension 2320.

Outer isles special collection dates (to 30 September 2026)