The number of bins you have will depend on the number of households in the block.
You can apply for extra bins if you need them. The managing agents of the property will need to agree before we can supply these. There is a charge for extra communal rubbish and recycling bins.
Cost of an extra bin
The charges for extra communal bins are:
- £185 for a 660 litre rubbish or recycling bin
- £195 for a 1,100 litre rubbish or recycling bin
How to apply for an extra communal bin
Use our online form to apply.
You will need to tell us:
- how many bins you need
- how many bins you have currently and if they are made of plastic or metal
You will also be asked to upload a picture of the bins you currently have to help us decide what bins you need.
Food waste collection service for flats and apartment blocks
Flats in Bournemouth and Poole are currently being assessed for food waste collections, to be introduced as standard in March 2026.
If you are in Bournemouth or Christchurch, you can opt in to have food waste collection now.
The managing agents will need to agree before we can supply food waste bins. Please contact them and ask them to provide agreement in writing and send this to admin.sr@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
We will then arrange a visit to assess what size shared food waste bin you might need. We will offer each flat a small 7 litre kitchen caddy.
You can empty the food waste from your kitchen caddy into the shared bin with the brown lid.