First warning tags issued on overflowing bins

A white label, with orange writing hangs from a black bin. The text says 'Your bin was not fully closed or the bin was lined with a bin liner.' There is further, smaller writing on the label. There is also a Belfast city council logo at the bottom.

Bins which breach the new rules will receive a 'first warning' amber tag

Claire Graham
BBC News NI

A new tagging system to encourage households to put items in the right bins and stop overflowing containers, is being rolled out in Belfast.

The tag will explain how to dispose of waste properly.

Belfast City Council has said it will also make it safer for operators to empty bins into lorries on collection day.

From Monday bins which breach the new rules will receive a "first warning" amber tag.

An overflowing black bin.

Belfast City Council says it will make it safer for operators to empty bins into lorries on collection day

From 29 September, red tags will be issued for bins which continue to overflow, or have a liner. Those bins will not be collected.

What are the rules?

A row of black bins. Some of them are open with black bin bags overflowing. There is a stack of smaller black bin boxes. On the front of the bins it says Belfast City Council in white writing.Pacemaker

Bin lids must be fully closed

  • No bin liners in any bins (these are bin liners, not bin bags)

  • Bin lids must be fully closed

  • No extra bin bags beside bins – these will not be lifted

  • Clearly mark your house number on your bins and boxes

  • Only one black bin per household, unless previously approved for extra capacity

  • Sort recycling properly. Any incorrect items could mean no collection

  • Put bins out by 7:00 BST and bring them back in by 20:00 on your collection day

Councillor Ruth Brooks said other councils already follow similar guidelines.

"While our crews have always done their best to support households on collection day, we need to take a consistent approach to how bins are presented and emptied city-wide," she added.

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