New Waste Collections

Changes to your waste and recycling collection service

We are always working to provide you with a more efficient waste and recycling service. To make the system more efficient, we have redesigned our collection rounds.

To check your new collection day please go to our online collection day search.

These changes will begin on 27 October 2008. No changes to the service will take place before this date.

We have sent you a letter telling you your new collection day. We have also sent a new calendar telling you which containers you should put out on your collection day. If you have not received a letter or a calendar by 20 October, please contact us.

Apology about dates on letters

We are aware that the waste collection dates listed in our recent letters to all households about the changes to collections were printed as month/day/year rather than day/month/year. This was due to a computer error.

We used a database system to produce the letters to inform each resident of the collection details for their specific property. Unfortunately, the database used American style dates as a default style. 

Reprinting would have delayed the posting of the letters, and we felt it was most important that residents receive the information in adequate time. 

We apologise for the confusion and will ensure that all dates in future correspondence are printed in the standard style.

Why are we changing our collections?

We are simplifying the current collection scheme by replacing the purple and orange collection zones with new blue and red zones.

We currently have orange and purple households spread all over the city. Under the new collection scheme, all of north Oxford will be in the blue zone and all of south Oxford will be in the red zone. 

Refuse and recycling vehicles will work closer together, reducing the distance travelled each day. This will allow collection crews to support eachother while reducing cost and the amount of fuel used.

This will make our system much easier to understand. It is estimated that these measures will save £200,000 a year when fully implemented.

The map below shows the new blue and red zones:

Do these changes affect which containers I put out for collection?

These changes will not affect the frequency of your collections, but the containers you put out each week may change (see the table below). We will provide you with calendars along with your letters further explaining your collections.

Will the materials I put in each container change?

No. You will continue to put the same materials in your blue box/bin, green box, and garden waste bag. Visit our What Goes Into Which Container page for full details.

Can I check my collection day online?

You will be able to search for your new collection days from 13 October. Please visit our Waste Collection Days page after this date and enter your street name or postcode to find out your new collection day.

I live in a flat. How will these changes affect me?

The weekday on which your bins are emptied may change, but the frequency of your collections will not change. Please see our Flat Waste and Recycling page for more information on waste and recycling services at flats.

I am signed up for text or email reminders. Will these continue

All existing text and email reminders will stop on 10 October 2008. Once you receive your letter (telling you your zone colour and collection day), text or email your new collection day to:

New reminders will begin on 26 October.

I currently receive assisted collections. Will these continue?

Yes. You will remain on assisted collections under the new schedule. If you do not currently receive assisted collections and feel you need help handling your wheelie bins or boxes, please contact us. 

Will the service change again?

We are looking at options to expand the types of materials we can recycle and compost. We are actively seeking views from residents on options to improve and expand our recycling service.

Page last reviewed 17 Nov 2008