What can I put in my bins/boxes?

If you live in a house, the information below applies to you. Do you live in a flat?

blue box
  • Paper
  • Newspapers and magazines (excluding Financial Times - please place this in your brown bin)
  • Envelopes, including those with windows (except brown envelopes)
  • Telephone directories including Yellow Pages
  • If you have excess paper please place in a container (not a black sack) next to your blue box
 Black box

black box

  • Glass
  • Steel and aluminium cans/tins
  • Aerosols
  • If you have excess glass, tins or aerosols please place in a container (not a black sack) next to your black box
 Alternatively you can take recyclables to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre This link opens in a new browser window, or local recycling bring bank site.
 Brown bin This link opens in a new browser window

brown bin

  • All food waste (raw or cooked)
  • Cardboard (all types except plastic coated, such as take away containers, paper plates, or laundry powder boxes.  All sellotape/plastic packaging must be removed.)
  • Garden waste (including hedge trimmings, grass cuttings, twigs and leaves. No plant pots, compost bags or tools please)
  • Any paper that cannot go in the blue box
  • Please note we can not accept compostable or biodegradable bags in this bin. Paper bags or newspaper for wrapping food only.
  • Please prioritise recycling of food waste. If your brown bin is full, can you store cardboard/garden waste until next time?
  • Have you considered purchasing a subsidised home composter for fruit/vegetable peelings and garden waste?
 Grey Bin

Grey bin

  • Items which cannot be recycled in the district; e.g. crisp packets, chocolate wrappers, sanitary waste, disposable nappies, large polystyrene packaging, vacuum cleaner bags and contents, jar lids and bottle tops, glittery cards, pet faeces.

For a detailed list of materials accepted in each container - Recycling Reminder (1.47kb)

What else can I recycle?

Contamination

If the collection crews find your bins or boxes contain something it should not, the container will not be collected. A sticker detailing the nature of the contaminating item(s) will be placed on the container to let you know why it was not collected. Please remove any items which are not accepted and present your bin for collection on your next scheduled collection day. We will not return to collect your bin/box before the next scheduled day.  More information on brown bin contamination. This link opens in a new browser window

Have lots of waste?

Check to see if you could have recycled or avoided any of the waste (e.g. packaging)

Excess waste that cannot be recycled can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre This link opens in a new browser window.

If you have six or more permanent and full time residents in your household, are recycling as much as possible and you feel your the grey bin is not large enough, call our team on 0800 328 6023 to apply for a larger bin.

For more information on how to reduce your waste This link opens in a new browser window.

If you need to order a recycling box (blue or black) or bin (grey or brown) please call 0800 328 6023.