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Rubbish
Removal of extra rubbish and bulky items
How do I arrange the collection of extra rubbish and bulky items?
To arrange a collection of bulky rubbish contact the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000.
Is this a free service?
With effect from 17 April 2006, each household can request up to three collections per calendar year at a cost of £5 per collection, with up to eight individual items collected on each occasion.
The items that the Council currently collect are those that you would generally take with you when you move house such as beds, three-piece suites, wardrobes and carpets. Please note that a three-piece suite will now be classed as three items.
If you require more than three collections in each calendar year, you will be charged for the additional collections. The cost for this will be £20.00 for up to eight items on each additional occasion.
The Council also charges for collecting all DIY waste and some other items. If you are not sure which category your items fall into, call the Council’s Customer Contact Centre - they'll be happy to advise you. The cost for this service will be dependent on the amount of rubbish you want collected, however there is a minimum charge of £30.
What happens next?
When you arrange the collection you will be told which day your items will be collected. Collections are made in certain areas of the Borough on certain days of the week. You will be told which is the collection day for your area.
Removal of white goods
If you are having white goods collected, such as fridges, freezers or washing machines, the Council will make arrangements for them to be collected by an organisation called Renew North East. This may mean that if you are disposing of furniture and white goods you may get two collections, one for each refuse type.
Recycling
How can I recycle my rubbish?
You can recycle your rubbish through the Council’s ‘Kerb-It’ scheme by using your recycling box. Collections are made fortnightly on the same day as your usual collection.
What should go in my recycle box?
Cans, glass and paper.
What about recycling garden waste?
You can recycle your garden waste using the Council’s ‘Kerb-It Green’ scheme by using your green wheeled bin. Collections are made fortnightly on the same day as your usual collection.
What should go in my green recycle bin?
Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, leaves, cut flowers, turf, twigs, house plants and weeds.
Fly tipping
What should I do if I see someone dumping rubbish?
We want estates to be clean, attractive environments where people want to live. If you find rubbish dumped in a communal area or you see someone dumping rubbish on your estate let your estate officer know. With your help we will prosecute people who dump rubbish and make our estates cleaner and nicer places to live.
Car removal scheme
What should I do if I think that a vehicle has been abandoned near my home?
If you suspect that a vehicle has been abandoned on a public road or public open space the Council may be able to remove it. You can contact the Council’s Customer Contact Centre on 0191 427 7000 for advice or to report an abandoned vehicle.
What will you do about abandoned vehicles?
Abandoned vehicles (cars, caravans etc.) reported on the public highway are collected after a statutory notice has been affixed informing the owner that the vehicle will be collected if it is not removed. These vehicles are disposed of in a local scrap yard.
Will the Council help me get rid of my unwanted vehicle?
Yes. Householders who wish to surrender their vehicle to the Council may do so and the cleansing department will arrange its free collection and disposal.
