Waste Management Planning Guide (Former Chiltern, South Bucks & Wycombe areas)

These services and systems are designed differently to those services for low rise properties (houses). There is a difference in approach in the South Bucks Area, to the service designed for Chiltern & Wycombe Areas. Such properties will receive a slightly different allowance in capacity. They are calculated as follows:

• general household rubbish = number of apartments x 180L
• mixed recycling = number of apartments x 180L
• paper = number of apartments x 55L
• food waste = 1 x 140L wheelie bin per 20 apartments

• general household rubbish = number of apartments x 120L
• mixed recycling = number of apartments x 55L
• paper and cardboard = number of apartments x 55L

The preferred method is to provide clearly labelled 240L/360L wheelie bins for communal use. In larger developments it is more efficient to collect from 1100L bins. Hire and purchase charges may be applicable.

Container dimensions are provided in appendix A.

Container dimensions are provided in appendix A.

For large developments or where more than one bin store is proposed, the best practice is to ensure all bin stores accommodate rubbish and recycling containers rather than separating the two, as this is more convenient for residents – a one stop drop for all domestic waste.

Bin store locations should take into account:

• operatives will not travel a distance greater than 25 metres from the road to collect communal bins. This distance should be minimised at every opportunity

The design of communal storage areas is vitally important, to ensure rubbish and recycling is stored efficiently; are user friendly for residents; and easily accessible.

They should be an integral part of the development and must have due regard for the health & safety of residents and collection crews; they should be located to avoid conflict with parking; have easy access with due consideration given to ramps and curtilage as appropriate. Any obstruction in access may result in a non-collection.

The bin store will usually be the collection point. Therefore, the access requirements below must be met. For larger developments where a vehicle is required to access private property then a signed indemnity must be obtained before collections can start.

All bin stores should be large enough to house the recommended number of bins with a minimum clearance of 150mm around all sides of each bin. Bins should be placed side by side so that residents can easily access all containers. The enclosure should be designed and constructed with materials that are sensitive to the surroundings, be subtle and screened as much as possible, using boundary walls, fencing or sustainable planting.

A. adequate lighting – Natural / or artificial
B. Be away from domestic windows/doors and ventilators
C. Good natural ventilation if completely enclosed e.g. high and low level air bricks
D. Floor capable of supporting up-to half a ton per square meter, laid to a fall with suitable drainage
E. A solid smooth and even floor, easily cleanable e.g. paving or concrete float finished
F. Secured (residential use only and access for contractors) to prevent attracting anti-social behaviour or activity such as fly-tipping
G. Compliant with any building regulations and legislation, including but not limited to fire regulations

We would also recommend:

• a suitable enclosure e.g. wooden fencing, brick or concrete walls built to a minimum height of 2m
• a notice board or space for signage so that service information can be displayed

Further guidance regarding design and capacity for solid waste for domestic developments is provided in the Building Regulations – Approved Document H

Particular care needs to be taken when designing access into bin storage areas and collection points, and access through bin store structures, in order to minimise health & safety risks; the potential for damage to buildings/structures, roads/paths, property/possessions; ensuring ease of access to bins to deposit waste safely.

It is the councils’ preference that bin stores or pedestrian access through gated developments to drop off points have secure access to inhibit unauthorised access without the need for collection operatives to require a code or key. It is desirable to install a trade’s button effective from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, which may be earlier or later than usual around public holidays.

Bins should not have to pass through designated parking spaces or bicycle storage areas. The path between the bin store, other collection points and the nearest vehicular access must have a solid foundation which can support at least half a tonne per square metre. It must be rendered to a smooth/even finish, be level (unless a gradient of no more than 1:12 falls away from the bin store), have no steps and have a minimum width of 2 metres. A dropped kerb is required.

Other health and safety issues to address include:

• the developer must ensure that they do not obstruct sight lines for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists
• the facility should not obstruct any utility service outputs
• access to wheel locks by refuse collection operatives needs to be maintained to secure bins onsite
• receptacles should be sited away from windows, air conditioning and ventilators to minimize odour and noise nuisance, and away from perimeter walls to deter illegal access
• only waste contained inside the allocated bins will be collected
• there should be no obstruction fixed or otherwise, preventing access to bins for safe collection
• there should be no hazardous that could cause slips, trips or falls
• no unnecessary strain that might limit or prove detrimental for the manual handling of waste container