Bin collections from alleyways

We are changing the way we collect bins from some alleyways.

If you are affected, you will receive a letter with details of what you need to do. Included with the letter will be a map showing where you need to put your bins out on your scheduled collection day; the location will be marked in red on the map.

What you will need to do

On your bin collection day, please put your scheduled bins at one of the collection points at the end of your alleyway, highlighted in red on your map (whichever side is nearest to you)
Please return your bins back to your property within 48 hours of collection

Why are we doing this?

Following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection, we have been reviewing bin collections from alleyways. Emptying 200,000 bins a week means we need to reduce the manual handling risk to our waste operatives.

The length of some alleyways, combined with a lack of lighting, means that we are no longer able continue emptying bins from the back of some properties.

Also, some alleyways are not maintained at public expense and their condition is deteriorating. Trafford Council is not in a position to maintain or repair these alleyways.

To protect the wellbeing of our employees and maintain collections to a satisfactory standard, we are introducing these bin collection points in some areas.

A number of collection points have already been implemented elsewhere and are working well.

Why are you moving the collection of my bins to a collection point?

Following a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) inspection, we have been reviewing bin collections from alleyways. The nature of emptying 200,000 bins a week, means we need to reduce the manual handling risk to our waste operatives.

To protect the wellbeing of our employees and maintain collections to a satisfactory standard, we are introducing bin collection points in some areas.

What manual handling risk factors were considered?

The nature of emptying 200,000 bins a week, means we need to reduce the manual handling risk to our waste operatives. The risks considered were:

The length of the alleyway
Lack of lighting
Condition of the alleyway at the rear or side of a property

Where these risks factors are considered excessive, collection points are proposed.

What happens in the summer months when lighting is not an issue?

The lack of lighting is not a risk we have considered in isolation. Lighting is considered in combination with the length of the alleyway and or whether the condition of the alleyway is deteriorating.

This means the collection of bins will not move back to the alleyway in summer months.

Condition of the alleyway - What if my alleyway is adopted?

The Highways team is carrying out inspections of the adopted alleyways. Those fitting the Highway Inspection Criteria will be repaired and made safe.

If we still ask you to present your bins at a collection point, this is because of the length of the alleyway and a lack of lighting.

Condition of the alleyway - What if my alleyway is not adopted?

If the alleyway at the rear or side of your property is not adopted, it is not maintained at public expense and Trafford Council is not in a position to repair it.

This means we will ask you present your bins at a collection point due to a combination of all three risk factors mentioned above.

Is this only happening in my area?

A number of collection points have already been introduced, on a priority basis, in several locations across the Borough. These are working well.

We have assessed a total of 1863 terraced streets as part of a review, with 158 streets identified as needing a bin collection point. These are located across the Borough.

What if I am unable to pull the bin out to the collection point?

If no one living at your address is physically able to move your bins to the collection point, we may be able to help. We offer an assisted collections service to any resident who, through age or physical limitation, finds it hard to place their bins out for collection.

Your bins will be collected from wherever they are placed and returned to the same location once emptied. Please note the point of storage for the bins of an assisted collection may need to change to the front of the property. Apply online.

What if I am already on an assisted collection?

If you are on an assisted collection, the point of storage for your bins may need to change to the front of your property.

We will do this for you, and we will let you know by letter.

Who is introducing the collection points?

This project is being delivered in partnership with Trafford Council, Amey and Orange Civils, a third-party organisation who has been brought in specially to deliver the project.

This project will run for 6 months, tackling streets and alleyways in groups where they are close together.

How will I be informed?

If you are affected, you will receive a letter with details of what you need to do.

Included with the letter will be a map showing where you need to present your bins on your scheduled collection day. The location will be marked in red on the map.

Can I get this information translated?

Trafford Council utilises the BrowseAloud application which can be accessed via the icon at the bottom right of webpage. The icon is an orange circle with the letter b.

BrowseAloud includes 'Translate Page' functionality which allows you to both view and listen to any of our pages in a number of different languages.

First, click on the icon. This will bring up a tab at the top of the webpage. Click the globe icon to select the language you want.

Should your required language not be included, you could use the automated Google translation service

Here to help

Your bins will be collected from wherever they are placed and returned to the same location once emptied.

The point of storage for the bins of an assisted collection may need to change to the front of the property.

Apply online for assisted collections