If your bin hasn’t been collected, the best first step is to check with your local authority if any advice has been given specific to your area.
Many local councils are advising you to leave your bin out where it is and it will be collected as soon as possible.
Usually, this information will be published on the council’s website.
If your local council hasn’t commented, it may be worth contacting them directly to find out what the best course of action is.
You can also report a missed bin collection on most council websites.
Despite this guidance, waste experts are warning that in some parts of the UK, bin collections could take a month to resolve.
Mark Hall, waste management expert at Business Waste, said: “Missed bin collections in bad weather are inevitable.
“But combined with the fact that many places are already seeing delays of one to two weeks, this could mean combined delays of up to four weeks in the worst-hit areas.
“Conditions like snow and ice present challenging conditions for vehicles like bin lorries and local councils must consider the safety of pedestrians, other road users, and employees.
“However, the situation is inevitably frustrating for residents, especially considering that most people will have increased waste from the festive period.”
While there is no suggestion that this will be the case in the North East, it’s worth pointing out, this advice has been issued by BusinessWaste.co.uk.
Will the council take overfilled bins?
This will depend on the individual council. If the missed collections are the fault of the council, many may collect extra waste. Some councils have said that any extra waste in tied black bags at the side of your bin will be collected.
If the council doesn’t do this, you can take extra waste to your local household waste and recycling centre if possible or opt to pay for a private waste collection.
How can you make more space in your own bin?
When filling up your bin put your heaviest items of rubbish at the bottom and then fill the space around these with lighter and more flexible items.
Ensure you compact any waste where possible, try to crush cans, squeeze air out of any packets, and flatten down cardboard boxes.
Try to consider if anything you throw away can be reused. For example, could you reuse any jars or containers for food storage, or use food waste for composting? There are plenty of zero-waste hacks online.
Check labels and research what is recyclable in your area. Make sure you recycle as much of your waste as possible r to spread the load across all of your bins (and protect our planet).
Make use of recycling schemes at supermarkets and retailers. Many shops now offer schemes to recycle soft plastics, clothes and other items. If you have anything larger and still usable, consider donating to charity or selling on marketplaces like Facebook.
Can you use your neighbour’s bins?
Putting rubbish into your neighbour’s bin without asking is illegal, technically classed as fly tipping and should be avoided.
However, if you ask politely, many neighbours will be happy to share the use of bins if they have space available.
How to help others in your neighbourhood
During periods of bad weather, the disruption caused can become a pain to everyone, especially those who are elderly or vulnerable.
Not everyone uses social media and the internet, so share any information you find out with neighbours.
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It can also be helpful to check in on those who you feel may need it, offering to assist with rubbish or even putting bins out in bad weather for others.
Guidance from councils in the North East and North Yorkshire
Information from North Yorkshire Council can be found here, while information for residents in County Durham can be found here.
If you are in Darlington, information can be found here, with information for those in North Tyneside here, and South Tyneside here.
*Delays and cancellations of bin and recycling collections will be on a council-by-council basis and information can be found depending on where you live on the links above.