Last week of 'free' bin nights before Pay as You Throw begins

Have you got your stickers yet? They'll be needed next week when the new 'pay as you throw' system comes into effect and can be purchased from local retailers – either £1.40 for up to 50 litres of 'black bag' waste or £2.50 for up to 90 litres. That's equivalent to a dustbin-sized bag.

The smaller, cheaper 50 litre sticker (pictured right) should cover most kitchen bin liners, according to the States.

In the meantime, this week's arrangements are glass recycling, food and blue bags for recycling cans, plastics and cartons.

So if you want to dispose of 'black bag' waste next week (any colour is acceptable for non-recyclable rubbish as long as it's not bigger than 90 litres), you'll need one of the special stickers. In case you were wondering, the States says that after the stickers have been applied, they can't be peeled off without tearing the bag.

Here's an at-a-glance reminder for the next five weeks: