Frequently Asked Questions

We aim to complete all our designated rounds on a given day of the week, usually at the same time. However, there are occasions when this will differ. We say collection on a day rather than a morning or afternoon which allows a degree of flexibility in the programme to cover operational difficulties which can occur from time to time. If your bin has not been collected by the end of your normal collection day, please contact the Waste Management Department on (01624) 675564 option 2.

Our collection services will take a bin from the edge of your property to the refuse vehicle, empty it and return the bin to its pick up point on your property. To avoid any accidental damage to your property or possessions, we will not go onto your property. If you have to leave your bin on a public footpath for any reason, please make sure that it is removed back inside your property boundary as soon as possible after collection.

A standard household wheeled bin will hold 240 litres of domestic refuse, which has been calculated as sufficient to take two weeks worth of normal household refuse. The binmen are instructed not to take black bags left alongside as there have been a number of instances in the last two years where they have picked up a bag only to find that it contained broken glass, leaving them with badly cut hands. To avoid these injuries, we will not take refuse that is not in the bin. You may wish to consider reducing the contents of your bin by using the recycling sites located in the Village for some of your waste.

There may be a number of reasons why the binmen left your bin. Common reasons include it containing waste that would cause our load to be rejected at the Energy from Waste Plant, or that it was not at the edge of your property. If your bin has not been emptied, please contact the Surveyor’s Department on Telephone (01624) 624967 for further advice.

A full list of unacceptable waste together with available alternative means of disposal can be found on the Useful Documents page.

If you are unable to move your wheelie bin through reasons of health or infirmity, we can assist you as part of our collection service. Please contact the Waste Management Department on (01624) 675564 option 2 for further information.

A standard household wheeled bin will hold 240 litres of domestic refuse, and should be large enough to take over a weeks worth of normal household refuse. If you find that it is not sufficient, please consider recycling some of your waste through either the local sites in the village or the Eastern District Civic Amenity Site at Middle River in Douglas. If you recycle as much as possible, and are still having difficulties, please contact the Waste Management team on (01624) 675564 option 2 for a further discussion of your needs.

The short answer is “Yes”. Our three main collection vehicles are fitted with weighing equipment, and these register the weight of every bin collected. We are not at present recording data against individual addresses as a matter of course, although this may change if it becomes policy to charge individual households for collected weight.

It is difficult to give any hard and fast rule regarding how heavy your bin is, but the average weekly weight for a standard refuse bin is 20.75 kg (approximately 45.5 lbs). This equates to just over 1 tonne of waste per household per year. The more you can recycle, especially glass, paper and grass cuttings, is the lighter your bin will be. This will be to your advantage if charging by weight is introduced.

Bins damaged through fair wear and tear will be replaced free of charge by the Commissioners. Please contact the Waste Management Department on (01624) 675564 option 2.

Please contact the Waste Management Department on (01624) 675564 option 2.

Enquiries should be directed to Onchan District Commissioners, Commissioners’ Offices, Hawthorn Villa, Main Road, Onchan, IM3 1RD.
Tel: (01624) 675564
Email: surveyors@onchan.org.im