Recycling & Waste collection in Potton
Below there's a summary of the waste collection provided by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC) including general waste, dry recycling, food waste and the new garden waste subscription service. The full and upto date information can be found on the CBC website's Waste and Recycling page. You can also order a new bin or bag on the Central Beds Council website.
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Bins are usually collected each Friday in Potton (from 7am) with collections alternating each week between Black Bins and Recycling bins. Food waste is collected every week. For those subscribed, green bins are collected throughout most of the year every other week together with Recycling. There's also a bin reminder at inpotton.com/events
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The nearest tip is Biggleswade Tidy Tip. You don't need to book a slot but will need to bring proof of address (e.g. Driving Licence, Council Tax bill, Utility Bill)
For the latest updates check Central Bedfordshire Council's website
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See below information about recycling, bin collections and our local tidy tip below
Yes, there's a #WasteNotPotton Facebook group where you offer your items for free.
There's also a local buy/sell page on Facebook for Potton, Sandy, Biggleswade and the local district.
Preen in Biggleswade is a community group and centre where you can recycle, and buy items of furniture, clothing and CDs/DVDs etc.
Our local recycling centre is in Biggleswade:
Biggleswade Household Waste Recycling Centre
Bells Brook
Biggleswade
Bedfordshire
SG18 0NA
Upto date opening hours and details about they accept (and don't) can be found on the CBC website: CBC tidy tips information >
You will need to present a valid proof of address to use the tip
For the latest updates check Central Bedfordshire Council's websiteÂ
Bins are usually collected each Friday in Potton (from 7am).
Collections alternate each week between Black Bins and Recycling bins with a green lid.
Food waste is collected every week in the smaller brown bins
If you have subscribed to the garden waste subscription service - green bins are collected together with Recycling for most of the year (except over Winter)
You can view which bin's being collected by week at InPotton.com/events
Bins may be collected on an alternative day of the week following a National / Bank Holiday.
Full information can be found on the CBC website's waste and recycling page
We've added it to the events page on inpotton.com or you can view the original information via the bin calendar provided by CBC that shows dates of collection and which bin is collected each week or the exact dates of collection on their website.
You can order food waste bags, garden waste sacks or a bin via the CBC website. Visit the CBC bin/bag ordering page
Your black bin is for household waste that cannot be recycled through any recycling collections or facilities available to you. Please note: CBC won't collect any additional waste left next to your bin.
You can put in:
disposable nappies
tissues
items heavily contaminated with food
pet bedding and bagged pet waste
soft or flexible plastics such as biscuit wrappers, confectionary wrappers and carrier bags (please note these can be taken to supermarkets)
bagged waste
compostable or biodegradable bags and packaging
You cannot put in:
recyclable items
batteries*
small electrical items such as kettles and hairdryers*
rubble, soil and DIY waste
uncontained liquid waste (including paint)
car batteries
anything that will cause the bin to be too heavy to be moved or emptied
any hazardous or clinical waste - these have to be treated and/or disposed of in a special way
commercial/business waste
*Bag separately and place next to your recycling or refuse bin. Please don't place in your bin, as batteries and electricals can cause fires.*
CBC provide a green-lid wheelie bin to Potton residents for dry recycling. For houses that cannot accommodate bins, call 0300 300 8302 and CBC will provide you with the most appropriate container.
Please ensure recycling is clean, dry has no food remains and is squashed before placing it loose in your bin/bag. Please do not place recyclable items in either black sacks or plastic bags, as your bin will not be collected.
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WHAT GOES IN YOUR DRY RECYCLING BIN/BAG?
Cartons: (rinsed and squashed)
food and drink cartons
Plastic pots, tubs, trays and bottles (rinsed, no food remains, leave lids on)
drinks bottles
detergent bottles
margarine tubs
yoghurt pots
plastic milk bottles
food and meat trays (no black plastics)
fruit and vegetable punnets
shampoo/skincare bottles
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We can’t accept black plastic food trays. Soft and flexible plastics, such as biscuit wrappers, crisp packets and bread wrappers, can be recycled at most supermarkets.
Paper: (dry)
newspaper and magazines
leaflets and brochures
catalogues and directories (including yellow pages)
envelopes (leave window in)
scrap paper, wrapping and tissue paper
shredded paper (please either place in an old cereal box or bunch up and put in an envelope/wrap in newspaper)
computer printout paper
paperback books
We can’t accept: paper covered in glitter and wallpaper
Cardboard: (dry, no food remains)
cereal and tissue boxes
sleeves from ready meals
egg boxes
greeting cards
corrugated and flat cardboard (torn into A4 size please; don't leave large sheets of cardboard or cardboard boxes at the side of the bin as this won't be collected)
We can’t accept: greeting cards covered in glitter
Household metal packaging/cans, tins and foil: (rinsed, no food remains)
all food and drink cans
biscuit, cake and sweet tins
kitchen foil
tin foil takeaway containers
Aerosols (empty, please leave lids on):
air freshener
deodorants and hairspray cans
WHAT STAYS OUT OF YOUR DRY RECYCLING BIN/BAG?
bagged waste (please keep all recycling loose)
nappies and sanitary waste
food waste (including items covered in grease e.g. pizza boxes)
biscuit and sweet wrappers
crisp packets (take to supermarket)
pet food pouches (take clean pouches to supermarket)
toothpaste and puree tubes
non-household metal packagings, such as scrap metal, bars, nuts and bolts
plastic/foil blister packs (these can be recycled via many pharmacy chains, please ask in-store for details)
compostable or biodegradable bags or packaging
polystyrene
bubblewrap
garden waste
rubble, hardcore and wood
hard plastics (like CD cases, flowerpots)
small electrical items, such as kettles and hairdryers*
household batteries*
textiles and shoes*
*Bag separately and place next to your recycling or refuse bin. Please don't place in your bin, as these won't be recycled.
What goes in your brown food waste caddy?
meat and fish - raw and cooked (including small bones)
raw and cooked vegetables and fruit (including peelings, stones and nut shells)
all dairy products such as cheese
eggs (including shells)
bread, pastries and cakes
pasta, rice and beans (cooked and uncooked)
teabags and coffee grounds
plate scrapings (including fish and poultry bones)
uneaten leftovers
out-of-date food (remove from packaging and recycle packaging separately)
pet food
solidified cooking oils and fats
What cannot go in your brown food waste caddy?
compostable or biodegradable bags and packaging
plastic or polystyrene pots or trays
tin foil or food containers
cardboard packaging
liquids like milk or juice
large meat bones
garden waste such as leaves, soil and grass clippings
glass or china
pet mess, litter or bedding
As of 1st April 2024 CBC have introduced an annual subscription service for garden waste collections. You can subscribe via the CBC website, the fee for April 2024 - March 2025 is £55 per year and once subscribed you'll need to attach a Permit to your green garden waste bin. Full details of how to subscribe can be found on the CBC website
Alternatively you can take your waste for free to Biggleswade tidy tip
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What goes in your garden waste bin or bag?
grass cuttings
plants and weeds
flowers
prunings
hedge clippings
leaves and bark
vase plants
pond plants
Please note: All garden waste must be contained within either the wheelie bin or sacks that we provide. Any large branches, trunks and plants should be cut down to fit inside. Garden waste placed in sacks not provided by us will not be collected. There is a 10kg weight limit per sack as continual lifting could pose a hazard to our contractors.
What cannot go in your garden waste bin or bag?
vegetable peelings
food waste
compostable or biodegradable bags and packaging
plant pots
polystyrene trays
turf
soil
rubble including tiles and decking
animal bedding
pet waste
general household waste
empty compost and soil bags
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Japanese knotweed
If you have Japanese knotweed in your garden, it is your duty to control it and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties. It is a controlled waste and therefore should be treated and disposed of in accordance with the Environmental Protection Act 1990. For more information about the plant, please contact the Environment Agency.
Please note that garden waste collections are suspended for approximately 12 weeks each year in the winter months.


