Belfast City Council is reminding residents that from Monday, 29 September, bins that don't follow the updated bin collection guidelines will receive a red tag and will not be collected. The move follows the rollout of amber tags earlier this summer, which acted as a warning system for issues such as overfilled bins, extra bags, or incorrect items in recycling.

A red tag means that a bin will not be emptied until the problem is corrected. Residents are reminded to ensure their bin lids are fully closed and that bins are not lined with liners.

Guidelines for Residents

To ensure your bin is collected, the council asks residents to:

• Not leave extra bags beside bins – these will not be collected.

• Put bins out by 7am and bring them back in by 7pm on collection day.

• Clearly number bins.

• Sort recycling correctly, as incorrect items could result in a missed collection.

• Only put out one black bin per household (unless approved for extra capacity).

• Never dump waste illegally, as it could result in a £400 fixed penalty. If bins are not presented correctly, they will receive a red tag outlining the specific issue that needs to be resolved before the next scheduled collection day.

Alternatives for Excess Waste

For residents with excess waste, the council reminds them of the free and simple alternatives available:

• Book a free bulky waste collection.

• Take excess waste to a local recycling centre or civic amenity site.

• Flatten packaging to save space.

• Recycle more and use food waste bins to save space in general waste bins.

"We've introduced these rules to make sure everyone presents their bins properly, this will protect the safety of our staff, keep our streets clean and help us all recycle more," said Councillor Ruth Brooks, Chair of the People and Communities Committee. She added that the amber tags provided a chance for households to get used to the updated guidelines, but the red tags will ensure a consistent approach to waste collection across the city.

For more information, including help with on what goes in your bins and boxes and answers to common questions about bin collection arrangements, visit: www.belfastcity.gov.uk/bins