Highland Bin Help for Real Collection Problems
Use this guide to check Highland Council bin days, download the right calendar, fix a missed bin, sort grey-blue-green-silver-brown bins, and choose the correct route for bulky, garden, food, recycling centre or extra waste issues.
It is built for fast scanning: pick the problem, read the exact action, then use the official Council link only when it is the correct next step.
Quick answer: Highland Council bins are address-based. Use the online calendar to see your next collections or download a PDF calendar. Main household containers are grey for non-recyclable waste, blue for paper/card, green for plastic/metal/containers, silver caddy for food waste where available, and brown for paid garden waste.
Most important rule: put the correct bin at the correct collection point by 7am, with the lid shut, not overflowing, and with no wrong items or contamination.
Choose your Highland waste problem
Tap your situation. This gives the correct next step before you open a form.
Check your Highland Council bin calendar
Highland collections vary by address and area. The safest answer is the official postcode calendar, not a screenshot or a neighbour’s bin.
| Question | Exact answer | Do this now |
|---|---|---|
| How do I check bin days? | Use Highland Council’s online form to see next collections or download a PDF calendar. | Enter postcode, select address, save the PDF. |
| Address missing? | Highland says to email recycle@highland.gov.uk. | Include full address, postcode and what form problem you see. |
| Business waste contract? | Business customers should use their customer account calendar. | Email business.waste@highland.gov.uk if login help is needed. |
| What time should bins go out? | By 7am on collection day. | Put bins out the night before if your route is early or rural. |
| Where should bins go? | Kerbside, road end or the agreed collection point. | Use the safe point crews can reach; rural roads may need extra care. |
What goes in each Highland Council bin
Highland uses two recycling bins in many areas: blue for paper/card and green for plastic, metal and containers. Mixing the wrong items can cause contamination.
| Container | Use it for | Accepted examples | Do not include |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grey bin Non-recyclable waste |
Waste that cannot be recycled. | Nappies, sanitary products, polystyrene packaging, bagged pet waste, plastic film/wrappers, broken toys without batteries, vacuum contents, cold ashes bagged. | Soil, rubble, hot ashes, corrosive substances, battery items such as vapes, glass, electrical items, liquids. |
| Blue bin Paper, card, cardboard |
Dry paper and card recycling. | Newspapers, magazines, envelopes including windowed, cereal boxes, cardboard packaging, shredded paper, catalogues, phone books, cards without glitter/ribbons. | Tissues, napkins, kitchen towels, padded envelopes, wallpaper, food-stained card, hardback books, disposable cups, plastic bags, plastic-coated packaging. |
| Green bin Plastic, metal, containers |
Clean plastic, metal and container recycling. | Plastic bottles, tubs and trays, tins, drink cans, empty aerosols, cartons/Tetrapak, aluminium food trays. | Dirty/bagged recycling, food residue, plastic bags, plastic film, polystyrene, bubble wrap. |
| Silver caddy Food waste where available |
Weekly food waste collection in selected areas. | Fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy, meat/fish/bones, rice, pasta, teabags, eggshells, ground coffee. | Plastic packaging, plastic bags, liquids, oils, animal waste. |
| Brown bin Garden waste permit |
Paid garden waste service in selected areas. | Grass cuttings, hedge trimmings, twigs, small branches, flowers, weeds. | Soil, stones, turf, rubble, plastic, food waste, animal waste, ragwort, Japanese knotweed. |
Missed bin collection Highland: decision tree
Do not report before checking the reasons Highland Council may have left the bin.
Recycling contamination sticker: what to fix
Highland says it will not collect recycling bins that contain the wrong items. A sticker means you must remove contamination before the next collection.
Remove wrong items
Check for food waste, black bags, nappies, textiles, electricals, garden waste and general rubbish.
Sort blue and green correctly
Paper/card goes blue. Plastic, metal and containers go green. Do not use plastic bags.
Re-present next time
Highland will not collect the bin while it remains contaminated. Put it out again when corrected.
Extra waste, side bags and full bins
The useful question is not “can I leave extra bags?” It is “which official route matches this waste?”
| Situation | Best route | Do not do this |
|---|---|---|
| Grey bin full | Remove recyclables, use HWRC for suitable extra waste, or apply for extra bin only if eligible. | Do not leave side bags as a normal solution. |
| Large cardboard load | Flatten cardboard for blue bin or take overflow to a recycling centre. | Do not put plastic bags of card into the blue bin. |
| Too many plastic/metal containers | Rinse, dry, flatten bottles/cartons and use green bin correctly. | Do not include dirty food containers or plastic film. |
| Furniture or mattress | Reuse/donate first if possible; otherwise book bulky uplift or use HWRC where accepted. | Do not dump at road ends, lay-bys or outside HWRC gates. |
| DIY rubble/soil/plasterboard | Check HWRC limits and site acceptance. Some materials are site-specific. | Do not put heavy items in the grey bin. |
Garden waste permit: brown bin rules
Highland garden waste is not included in Council Tax. It is a paid permit service available in selected areas.
| Garden waste point | Highland detail | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Permit cost | £48.95. No discounts or reduced rates. | Full charge applies even if you apply part-way through the year. |
| Permit year | Current 2026–2027 permit is valid 1 September 2026 to 31 August 2027. | Buy before relying on brown-bin collections. |
| Collection pattern | Brown bin collected every 2 weeks from 1 September to 31 August. | Use the calendar for your exact dates. |
| Winter pause | No brown-bin collections in December, January or February. | Compost or use HWRC during winter months. |
| Permit limit | Up to 3 permits per household. | Each brown bin needs its own valid permit. |
| Put out time | Brown bin should be out by 7am on collection day. | Do not overfill and do not include plastic bags, soil, stones or food waste. |
Put in brown bin
- Grass cuttings.
- Hedge trimmings.
- Twigs and small branches.
- Flowers and branches.
- Weeds.
Do not put in brown bin
- Soil, stones, turf or rubble.
- Plastic of any type.
- Food waste.
- Animal waste material.
- Ragwort or Japanese knotweed.
Bulky uplift: cost, accepted items and booking rules
Use bulky uplift for household items that cannot fit in your bin. Think reuse first, then book and pay before putting items out.
Cost
£30 for up to 3 items.
Larger booking
£60 for up to 6 items.
Put out time
Items at usual bin point by 7am.
Kerbside only
No collection from home, garden or driveway.
| Can collect examples | Cannot collect examples | Preparation detail |
|---|---|---|
| Beds, bicycles, carpets, car tyres, computers, cookers, cupboards, dishwashers, doors without glass panels. | Asbestos, bagged waste, batteries, branches, bricks, cement, chemicals, commercial waste, glass, oil, paint, plasterboard, rubble, soil. | Cover carpets, mattresses, sofas and soft furnishings to protect from rain, water and snow. |
| Fridges/freezers, furniture, gas heaters without bottle, gates up to 2.4m, kitchen units/worktops/sinks, lawnmowers, microwaves. | Car parts/scrap metal, gas bottles, DIY repair waste, sheds, radiators, pianos, tree stumps, weed killer, wire. | Fridge/freezer doors should be taped or stored safely; interiors clean; shelves/trays removed. |
| Sofas, armchairs, mattresses, tables, TVs, tumble dryers, vacuum cleaners, washing machines, window frames without glass. | Wood unless smaller than 2in x 2in x 4ft and unable to fit in a wheeled bin. | Damaged/torn upholstered furniture must be covered and sealed with tape. |
Missing, damaged, extra and new-build bins
Use this when the bin itself is the issue: missing, damaged, not enough capacity, or a new-build home without bins.
| Need | Highland detail | What to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Missing or damaged household bin | Highland says it will replace missing or damaged bins for free. | Address, which bin, and damage details if any. |
| Missing/damaged brown garden bin | Report online, but you need a valid garden waste permit. | Permit details and bin issue. |
| Additional bin | Free service if conditions are met. | Explain why more space is needed. |
| Extra-bin eligibility | 5+ permanent residents, medical condition creating extra waste, or 2+ children in nappies. | Be ready to show you recycle as much as possible. |
| New-build home | One-off £72 fee covers delivery of grey, blue, green and food caddies if available. | Order early; garden waste remains a separate paid service. |
Food waste caddies and liners
Food waste collection is available in selected Highland areas. If you have it, the outdoor caddy is collected weekly.
| Food waste step | Highland detail | User action |
|---|---|---|
| Set up | Use a compostable liner in the indoor kitchen caddy. | Put food scraps in, tie the liner when full. |
| Outdoor caddy | Put the tied liner into the larger lockable outdoor caddy. | Put outdoor caddy out every week. |
| Accepted food | Fruit, vegetables, bread, dairy, fish/meat including bones, rice, pasta, teabags, eggshells, ground coffee. | Food only, no packaging. |
| Not accepted | Plastic packaging, plastic bags, liquids/oils, animal waste. | Keep these out or the caddy may be refused. |
| More liners | Tie your last liner to the handle of the outdoor caddy on collection day. | Highland says a new roll will be left with your caddy. |
| No food collection? | Highland suggests home composting if your home does not get food waste collection. | Check your bin calendar and local service availability. |
Recycling centres and van/trailer rules
Highland HWRCs are for residents and household waste, not business or commercial waste. Check local site acceptance before travelling.
| HWRC rule | Highland detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted household items | Bulky items, flattened cardboard, garden waste, general household waste, glass at most sites, batteries, electricals, some bulbs, plasterboard at some sites, metal, soil/rubble at most sites, textiles, wood and engine oil at some sites. | Check your local site before loading the car. |
| Business waste | HWRCs are not for business or commercial waste. | Use business waste collection or landfill/transfer stations. |
| Cars without trailer | No booking needed. | Check opening times and accepted materials. |
| Vans / trailers | Booking needed at named sites. Book at least 48 hours before visiting and only once per vehicle per week. | Bring booking confirmation and give accurate information. |
| Allowed vehicle types | Cars, small 4x4s, vans under 3.5 tonnes, trailers, adapted vehicles for disabled use. | Check your vehicle’s gross weight plate if using a van. |
| Not allowed vehicles | Vehicles 3,500kg or more, tippers, flat-bed trucks and plant vehicles. | Use a permitted route instead. |
| Do not fly-tip | Leaving waste outside a site is fly-tipping and illegal. | Take waste back if the site is closed or cannot accept it. |
Rural roads, weather and service disruptions
Highland refuse collection has more rural access and winter-weather risk than many councils. This matters when a bin is missed.
Weather delays
Snow, ice and unsafe road conditions can delay or stop collections. Check the disruption page before reporting.
Road-end collections
Some properties may need to present bins at road end or agreed point when vehicles cannot safely access private or narrow routes.
Blocked access
Parked cars, gates, roadworks, snow piles or road edges can affect a whole route, not just one property.
Get help putting your bin out
Highland calls this an assisted bin collection or backdoor collection. It is for residents who physically cannot move bins and have no one in the household who can help.
Check eligibility
You can apply if you cannot move bins due to a physical condition and no one else in your home can help.
Download and complete the form
Highland asks residents to complete the backdoor collection application form.
Return it to local area office
Addresses are listed at the end of the form.
Wait for assessment
If approved, Highland confirms the collection point on your property and checks every two years if you still need the service.
Highland waste contacts and phone script
If you need to contact the waste team, give the exact bin, calendar date and issue. That gets a better answer than “my bin was not emptied.”
| Need | Contact | Have ready |
|---|---|---|
| Bin calendar, bin sorting, missing/damaged bin, additional bin, general waste help | 01349 886603 / recycle@highland.gov.uk | Full address, postcode, bin type, collection date, photos if useful. |
| Address not showing in bin calendar | recycle@highland.gov.uk | Postcode, property name/number, settlement/area, screenshot of problem if possible. |
| Business collection calendar | business.waste@highland.gov.uk | Business account/customer details and contract address. |
Simple call/email script
Hello, I’m contacting you about a Highland Council waste collection issue at [full address and postcode]. The bin is [grey / blue / green / silver caddy / brown]. The scheduled collection date was [date]. The bin was out by 7am at [kerbside / road end / agreed point], the lid was [shut / open], and [there was / was not] a sticker. Can you confirm the correct next step?
Official Highland Council refuse collection links
Use these after reading the relevant section. This avoids wrong forms, unnecessary missed-bin reports and incorrect waste routes.
Bin collection calendar
Use for address-specific dates and PDF calendar download.
Check calendarReport missed bin
Use after checking 7am, collection point, lid, overflow and stickers.
Missed bin helpHousehold bins
Use for grey, blue, green, silver, brown and contamination rules.
Bin sortingRecycling centres
Use for accepted materials, residents-only rules and van/trailer restrictions.
HWRC rulesWaste updates
Use before reporting if weather, road access or service disruption may be involved.
Disruption updatesHelp putting bins out
Use if you physically cannot move bins and no one at home can help.
Assisted collectionHighland Council Refuse Collection FAQs
How do I check my Highland Council bin collection day?
Use Highland Council’s official online bin calendar. Enter your postcode, select your address, and you can see your next collections or download a PDF calendar.
What time should I put my bin out in Highland?
Put your bin at the kerbside, road end or agreed collection point by 7am on collection day. The lid should be shut and the bin should not be overflowing.
What should I check before reporting a missed bin?
Check that the bin was out by 7am, at the correct collection point, lid shut, not overflowing, and that there is no sticker saying the bin was too full or had the wrong items.
What goes in the Highland grey bin?
The grey bin is for non-recyclable waste such as nappies, sanitary products, polystyrene packaging, bagged pet waste, plastic film, vacuum contents and bagged cold ashes. Do not use it for soil, rubble, glass, electricals, liquids or battery items.
What goes in the Highland blue bin?
The blue bin is for paper, card and cardboard, including newspapers, magazines, envelopes, cereal boxes, cardboard packaging, shredded paper and cards without glitter or ribbons. Do not put plastic bags in the blue bin.
What goes in the Highland green bin?
The green bin is for plastic, metal and containers, including plastic bottles, tubs and trays, food tins, drink cans, empty aerosols, cartons and aluminium food trays. Items should be clean and dry.
How much is Highland Council garden waste permit?
The Highland Council garden waste permit costs £48.95. There are no discounts or reduced rates, and the full charge applies even if you apply part-way through the year.
How much is Highland bulky uplift?
Highland Council bulky uplift costs £30 for up to three items or £60 for up to six items. You must book and pay before collection and put items at the usual bin collection point by 7am.
Can I get an extra bin from Highland Council?
You can ask for an additional bin if your household has five or more permanent residents, someone has a medical condition creating extra waste, or you have two or more children in nappies.
How do I get help putting my bins out in Highland?
Apply for assisted or backdoor collection if you physically cannot move your bins and no one else in your household can help. If approved, Highland Council confirms an agreed collection point on your property and reviews the service every two years.
Final practical advice
For Highland Council refuse collection, the best routine is simple: check the official calendar, put the right bin out by 7am, use the correct blue/green recycling split, remove contamination, and check disruptions before assuming your bin was missed.
If the waste does not belong in a normal bin, choose the correct route: garden permit, bulky uplift, recycling centre, additional-bin request, assisted backdoor collection, reuse, repair or a licensed waste carrier.