Blue Box

If you have a question about your Blue Box that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

What day does my blue box get picked up?

It will depend on the area you live in, so check out our timetable for further details.

My box was not picked up on the day it usually should have been. What happens now and when will it be picked up?

Unfortunately even with the best of intentions it is not always possible to complete runs on certain days due to circumstances beyond our control. We aim to clear a run up on the following day so you should leave it out for pickup.

What can I put in my blue box?

You can put a whole range of recyclates into your Blue Box in Clackmannanshire. Cans (both aluminium and steel), glass bottles, plastic milk bottles and clear plastic water bottles can go in but please rinse these recyclates out.

Textiles can be bagged up separately but again can you make sure these are clean as they are sent out to third world countries for reuse. We take all types of textiles including hats, belts, shoes and costume jewellery.

You can recycle the following:

• Cans - aluminium & steel cans, e.g. drinks cans, soup & bean tins and empty aerosol cans
• Glass bottles & jars - all glass bottles & jars, e.g.wine and beer bottles, pasta sauce and jam jars
• Plastic bottles - clear plastic drinks & milk bottles with the PET or HDPE symbol, e.g. lemonade, juice and water bottles
• Textiles - blankets, clothes, curtains, pairs of shoes, sheets and towels

Not everything I put in my blue box was uplifted. Why?

Often it is because the contents are not recyclable. Check out the answer to the previous question for further help. Cans and plastic bottles etc should be cleaned before they are put in the recycling box.

How do I get a new blue box?

You should contact the Clackmannanshire Council Helpdesk on 01259 450000.

Glass

If you have a question about glass recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

What should I do if the bottle banks are full?

It is always tempting to leave the bottles by the side of the banks but we would ask you not to do this as it causes problems with vandalism. It is better if you can find an alternative bottle bank site or return when the bottle banks are emptied. You should report the problem to the council who will arrange for us to come out and empty the bottle banks within 24 hours.

Where do I report overflowing bottle banks?

You can contact your local council or alternatively contact us direct: +44 (0) 1259 215090.

The site I use is always busy what can be done about it?

There are some sites, such as those at the retail parks which are always busy. They are emptied more often than the others to try to keep up with the flow, however, it may be best to identify another site where you will be able to recycle your bottles without waiting in queues or being inconvenienced by finding the banks full when you get there.

How do I know where the bottle banks are?

Your local council will have a full list of sites on their website or alternatively you can phone for further help and advice. Please refer to our links page for addresses.

Is it not possible to add more bottle banks to the busy sites?

This is often done but it does take time as permission is needed from the site owner and sometimes it is not always possible to expand the really popular sites.

Which areas do you cover for glass recycling?

ACE provides a glass recycling service for businesses across the Central Region, including Clackmannanshire, Falkirk, Stirling, West Lothian and North Lanarkshire.

What if we have different colours of glass to be recycled?

Depending on the needs of a business we provide either 240l or 1100l bins for recycling colour separated glass.

How often do you pick up glass?

If storage is a problem then more frequent pickups can be arranged to suit.

Textiles

If you have a question about textile recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

Questions and answers about textiles.

What happens to the textiles I donate?

The better quality items are sent to third world countries where they support entrepreneurship in local communities and provide much needed clothing. Poorer quality items are turned into rags for industry or used to stuff soft furnishings such as matresses.

Are there any items I shouldn't put into textile banks?

We do not take pillows or duvets but all other bedding such as sheets and blankets are welcomed. Curtains may also be put into the textile banks.

Where are the textile banks?

You should refer to your council website for further information or use the contact numbers in the phone book.You will also find that there are a number of textile banks on retail sites run by a variety of charities. Be sure you are aware that you are giving to a legitimate cause.

Cans

If you have a question about can recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

Questions and answers about cans.

What should I do if the can banks are full?

It is always tempting to leave the cans by the side of the banks but we would ask you not to do this as it causes problems with vandalism. It is better if you can find an alternative can bank site or return when the can banks are emptied. You should report the problem to the council who will arrange for us to come out and empty the banks within 24 hours.

Where do I report overflowing bottle banks?

You can contact your local council or alternatively contact us direct: +44 (0) 1259 215090.

The site I use is always busy what can be done about it?

There are some sites, such as those at the retail parks which are always busy. They are emptied more often than the others to try to keep up with the flow, however, it may be best to identify another site where you will be able to recycle your cans without waiting in queues or being inconvenienced by finding the banks full when you get there.

How do I know where the can banks are?

Your local council will have a full list of sites on their website or alternatively you can phone for further help and advice. Please refer to our links page for addresses.

Is it not possible to add more can banks to the busy sites?

This is often done but it does take time as permission is needed from the site owner and sometimes it is not always possible to expand the really popular sites.

Paper

If you have a question about paper recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

Questions and answers about paper.

Cardboard

If you have a question about cardboard recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

Questions and answers about cardboard.

Plastic

If you have a question about plastic recycling that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

What's the best thing to do with plastic bags?

Plastic carrier bags have become an inevitable part of the high street shopping experience. A staggering 150,000,000 are used in the UK every week. And each one takes around a 100 years to rot away in a landfill site...

But we don't have to carry on like this. Take a look at this simple bag of tricks to cut the plastic and make your shopping trips easier:

• Use a canvas shopping bag whenever you can. Unlike plastic bags, they won't split apart or dig into your hands when you're loaded down
• Don't throw plastic bags away. Take them with you the next time you go shopping
• Asda, Sainsbury's, Tesco and other supermarkets all offer their customers bags for life. These harder-wearing bags last longer - and the supermarket will replace worn-out ones. Alternatively, use cardboard boxes for your supermarket shopping
• Choose a better bag. It's something you can just pick up!

Furniture

If you have a question about our furniture recycling project that isn't answered here, please drop us a line so we can help you out and add the question to our list.

What do you pick up?

Good quality furniture that can be passed on to homeless people. For a more detailed list please have a look at the our furniture recycling project.

Is there a cost for the pick up?

No it is a free service.

What days do you pick up from my area?

Check out our furniture pick-up timetable.

What time can I expect you to call?

We are not able to be too specific but we can let you know if it will be morning or afternoon and we do try to accommodate special requests where possible.

What happens to the furniture I donate?

It is passed on to people who are being re-housed under the local council's homeless scheme.

Why do you not take certain items?

Certain items have to meet current health and safety legislation or we cannot pass them on to the homeless project.

If I am donating furniture why can I not have an immediate pickup?

We try to manage our furniture project so that we get a good balance between picking up furniture and dropping of items to the clients that we provide free packs for. We therefore have to work to timetables but we do try to be flexible where it is possible.