Missed collections

Before you report your collection as being missed please check:

• your containers were on the kerbside from 7:00am until 4:00pm, your collection will not be classed as missed until after 4:00pm on your scheduled collection day
• you have put your containers out on the right day - check your collection day
• the lid was fully closed
• the container wasn't stickered to say why it could not be collected
• access was not blocked by roadworks or parked vehicles

If the container wasn't collected because it contained the wrong items - please remove them and present on your next collection day.

If the container wasn't collected because it is too heavy - please reduce the weight and present it on your next collection day.

If the container has only been partially emptied - the material left in the bin should be loosened and the container presented on the next scheduled collection day.

Where access is denied due to parked vehicles, road works, severe weather - please leave your containers out and we will get to them as soon as possible.

Our vehicles are fitted with CCTV and the footage will be viewed to check if containers were correctly presented.

Report a missed collection

Assisted collections

If your containers were at the agreed collection point and were accessible for the collection crew by 7:00am on the correct day but your collection has not taken place you can report this online through myeastlothian: 

Report that your bin hasn't been emptied online through myeastlothian

Find out more about myeastlothian and register online

Please tell us: 1. that you have an assisted collection 2. what collection has been missed and 3. where the containers are collected from.

We aim to catch up any duly reported missed assisted collections within two working days. 

Non-recyclable waste

If you presented your bin at the kerbside with the lid closed by 7:00am on the correct collection day but it has not been emptied, you can report this online through myeastlothian: 

Report that your bin hasn't been emptied online through myeastlothian

Find out more about myeastlothian and register online

Remember we will not empty your bin if it is too heavy and we will only empty one bin per property. 

We aim to catch up any reported missed collections of non-recyclable waste within two working days. 

Garden waste

If you presented your bin at the kerbside with the lid closed by 7:00am on the correct collection day but it has not been emptied you can report this online through myeastlothian: 

Report that your bin hasn't been emptied online through myeastlothian

Find out more about myeastlothian and register online

We will not empty your bin if it is too heavy or contaminated and we will only empty one bin per property. If your garden waste bin has not been fully emptied then this is because the material was stuck in the bin, please loosen and present on your next collection.

We aim to catch up any reported missed collections of garden waste as soon as we can, but we cannot guarantee a specific timescale.

Recycling and food waste

If you have presented your containers at the kerbside by 7:00am on the correct collection day but they have not been emptied you can report this online through myeastlothian: 

Report that your bin hasn't been emptied online through myeastlothian

Find out more about myeastlothian and register online

We will only empty your containers if they contain the correct items. You should not put any packaging in your food caddy except for the liners provided by East Lothian Council. You should only present material in the containers provided by East Lothian Council. You can order additional containers if you need them.

We aim to catch up any reported missed collections of recycling and food waste within two working days. 

Additional information

• report your missed collection by the end of the next working day and make sure your container is at the collection point
• don't leave your container presented on a Saturday or Sunday - instead present it for 7:00am on Monday
• if you can't report your missed collection online through myeastlothian email: wasteservices@eastlothian.gov.uk or call: 01875 824 305