Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about recycling:

Q1. Which kerbside collection schemes for recycable materials are available to householders in the Banbridge District?
A1. All householders in the Banbridge District are participating on both the brown bin scheme for organic household waste and the kerbside box scheme for dry recyclables. These schemes are provided in addition to the standard black bin for all types of non recyclable household waste.

Q2. I recently held a party at home and I have produced more household waste than normal. Where can I bring my additional household waste?
A2. You can bring all excess waste to one of the District's three Community Recycling Centres. They are located on the Scarva Road in Banbridge, Mossvale Road in Dromore and Ballyroney Road in Rathfriland. Both recyclable and non recyclable waste can be collected at any Centre. Alternatively, if you lots of bottles, cardboard or some other recyclable material that can be collected at a Community Recycling Point, you can take this along to anyone of the District's 19 Community Recycling Points.

Q3. Why are householders being encouraged to recycle more?
A3. Householders are being encouraged to recycle more for several reasons. Firstly, the Government has introduced recycling targets which all councils must meet or face heavy penalties. Secondly, Northern Irealnd is running out of landfill sites and the cost of sending waste to landfill is increasing significantly. Thirdly, dumping all household rubbish is not a sustainable solution for the environment so we must look at ways of managing our waste in ways which do not cause harm to the environment.

Q4. I am confused about what I can and cannot put in my brown bin. Can you clarify?
A4. You can put the following items in your brown bin: cooked food (leftovers), meat, fish and bones, fruit and vegetable peelings, bread and cereals, coffee filters and teabags, egg shell, grass cuttings, hedge clippings and cold ashes.

The following items can not be placed in your brown bin: cooking fats, dead animals, paper, cardboard, glass, metals, textiles and nappies and waxed cartons.

Q5. Which items can I place in the kerbside box for recycling?
A5. You can place the following items in the kerbside box for recycling: aluminium cans, aluminium foil, batteries, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, old hand tools, paper, plastic bottles, steel cans and textiles.

Q6. When will my brown bin be collected?
A6. Your brown bin is collected on alternate weeks to your black bin. Consult your waste collection calendar and recycle guide to find out which bin you should leave out each week. During the winter months, there will be fewer brown bin collections due to a reduction in organic household waste at this time of year (less grass cuttings and hedge clippings).

Q7. When will my kerbside box be collected?
A7. Your kerbside box is collected on the same day each week. Contact Bryson Recycling on 028 3883 0686 if you require further information about your kerbside box collection.

Q8. What happens with the materials collected from my kerbside box?
A8. Each of the dry recyclable goods collected in the kerbside box are taken to a recycling centre in Belfast where they are sorted and forwarded on to various recycling specialists.

Q9. Why is it important that I be extra careful when placing items in my brown bin?
A9. Your brown bin material will be used to create rich 'Rosey Lee' compost. If you place the wrong materials in the bin, you will contaminate the contents of the bin and it will not be accepted by the refuse collection vehicle. Your recycling efforts will have been wasted, so it is important that you pay attention to what you place in your brown bin.

Q10. The majority of paper I place in my kerbside box comes from junk mail. Can I reduce the amount of junk mail I receive?
A10. Yes. You can join the Mailing Preference Service by calling 0845 7034599 or by visiting the website www.mps-online.org.uk to register with this service.

Q11. How can I submit or ask a question about recycling?
A11. You can submit a question by selecting the 'Contact Us' link in the left hand navigation listing. Alternatively, you can contact the Council's Technical Services Department on 028 4066 0604.