This page is for house bin collections and communal waste collections (for those who live in a flat or share communal bins).
Your bins
| House bins | Communal bins | Common items |
|---|---|---|
| Black-lidded bin | Mixed recycling bin | Plastics, glass, tins, cans, cartons, plastic bags and wrappings |
| Purple-lidded bin | Non-recyclables bin | Polystyrene, cigarette ends, cat or dog waste, tissues, nappies |
| Blue-lidded bin | Cardboard and paper bin | Magazines, corrugated card, cardboard packaging, newspapers, white and coloured paper |
| Brown food waste caddy | Food waste bin | Leftovers, plate scrapings, vegetable peelings, bread, tea bags |
| Brown-lidded bin | Not available | Grass cuttings, leaves, moss, weeds, flowers, fallen fruit Please note: this is a subscription service for house collections only |
Contamination (items in the wrong bin)
All mixed recycling, cardboard and paper must be placed loose (not bagged) in your recycling bins to avoid being mistaken for contamination.
Bins that contain incorrect items (for example, plastic in your cardboard and paper bin, or food waste in your non-recyclable bin) will not be emptied, and a contamination sticker will be left on the bin advising you of this. You may also receive a letter, or notification from your managing agent if in a communal property, to remind you of the correct uses for your bins.
Please note that repeatedly presenting bins with incorrect contents could result in enforcement action.
If you have a communal collection and find the bins are regularly full before collection day, or that they contain incorrect items, please call us on 01462 474000 and choose the 'waste' option.
A-Z of recycling
Use our A-Z guide to check what should go into each of your bins. The A-Z reflects the council's new waste collection arrangements which began on 4 August 2025.
The guide below provides both the household bin type followed by the communal bin type.
To recycle anything else, you can search for recycling facilities near you.
Download the app
The North Herts Council app has a 'Recycling Information' section that allows you to quickly search for individual items, telling you the best options for recycling or disposal.
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosol cans | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Only empty aerosol cans can be recycled. |
| Asbestos | For advice on asbestos please contact WasteAware | |
| Aluminium foil | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Scrunch any foil into a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball as smaller bits may get lost down the sides of the recycling machinery. |
| Ash (coal or wood – once cooled) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Baby / make-up wipes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not consider switching to a reusable option? |
| Bags (plastic) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip, once they are no longer usable, put them in loose into your black-lidded mixed recycling bin. |
| Balloons (latex) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not explore paper decorations for your next party? |
| Bark | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Batteries | Household Waste Recycling Centre, or larger supermarkets | Never put batteries, or items containing batteries (e.g. rechargable vapes), into your bins as they pose a significant fire risk. Always take them to a dedicated recycling point to be dealt with safely. |
| Biodegradable packaging | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Biros | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Terracycle offer a recycling service for your used pens. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. |
| Biscuit / chocolate tins (including lids) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Consider reusing these items for storage containers. |
| Black sacks (empty) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
All plastic bags should be empty and loose when added to your recycling bin to avoid being mistaken for contamination. |
| Blister packs (for pills) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some stores e.g. Boots provide recycling drop off points for blister packs - please check before making a trip. |
| Bones (meat or fish) | Food waste bin | |
| Books (good quality) | Charity shops | You may also find book donation points in supermarkets - do check with your local store before making a trip. |
| Books (beyond reuse) | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Please remove the cover and spine of any books before adding to your recycling bins. |
| Bottles (glass - any colour) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Bottles (plastic) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids, trigger and pump sprays can all be left on to be recycled. |
| Branches from trees (smaller than 3cm in diameter) | Brown garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Bread | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin | Bread can be kept in the freezer to extend its shelf-life. Alternatively, you can blitz stale bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs. |
| Brita water filter cartridges | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some shops accept returned Brita filters to be recycled - search online to find your local recycling outlet. |
| Bricks and rubble – non-trade only | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Brochures | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Brown paper and envelopes | Blue-lidded bin Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Bubble wrap | Black lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
You might start to notice that bubble wrap is being replaced by other easy to recycle materials. Why not keep it and reuse it? |
| Buckets, old washing up bowls / tubs | Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Your recycling centre may have an area for “hard plastics”. |
| Builders waste – non-trade only | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Butter tubs | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
These can also make handy storage containers or drawer dividers. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Candles | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Un-used candles can be donated. |
| Cans | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Left-over liquid or food residue can contaminate other recyclables so please empty your containers. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Car and motorbike batteries | Do not dispose of these in your household waste. Garages that remove them usually offer to recycle them. Alternatively please take to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Be careful handling these due to the lead and battery acid that they contain. |
| Cardboard boxes (e.g cereal boxes, toilet roll tubes, delivery boxes etc.) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Please flatten before recycling. Remove plastic inserts, polystyrene, plastic bags and heavy-duty tape from boxes. And keeping a recycling bin or bag in the bathroom can help remind you to recycle your toilet roll tubes (as well as any plastic tubes and bottles). |
| Cardboard packets lined with metal (e.g. gravy granules, cocoa powder, New Pringles tubes (no metal bottom) |
Black lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Packaging is changing, Pringles tubes for example have been changed to make them more recyclable. |
| Cardboard sandwich boxes (including the plastic window) if clean from food residue | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Left-over food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. |
| Cardboard sleeves (e.g. ready-meal sleeves) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Carpet | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Carrier bags | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip; once they are no longer usable, put them in loose into your black-lidded bin / mixed recycling bin. |
| Cartons (e.g. soup / juice, Tetra Paks) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids can be left on, but left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Cat food pouches (with silver lining) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
We strongly recommend rinsing these pouches before placing them in your bin to avoid smells. |
| Cat litter | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Catalogues | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Cassettes - tapes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| CD - disks | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
If still in good condition, why not donate unwanted CDs and DVDs to charity shops? |
| Cassette and CD cases (hard plastic) | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Cellophane | Black lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Ceramics | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
You can also take larger quantities of broken or unusable ceramics to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Cereal boxes | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Please flatten your packaging where possible, to take up less space. |
| Cereal packets - plastic inner liners | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Chewing gum | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Chocolate and biscuit tubs and trays (plastic and metal) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
These can also be reused for storage. |
| Christmas cards | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not cut up your cards to reuse as gift tags? |
| Christmas trees - real | Household Waste Recycling Centre | Real trees can be presented next to your brown-lidded bin if you are a garden waste subscriber. Please ensure large trees are cut up into smaller pieces. |
| Christmas trees - artificial | Household Waste Recycling Centre | If they are in good condition, consider donating them in the run up to Christmas. |
| Cigarette ends | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Cleaner and detergent bottles (e.g. bathroom cleaners, washing up liquid, bleach) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on. Please check they are empty first as leftover liquid can make other recyclables dirty. |
| Cling film | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
To reduce your waste, why not try reusable containers? |
| Clothes, textiles and shoes | Items in good condition can be donated or taken to a textiles recycling bank | Have you considered holding a clothes swap with your friends or community group? WasteAware has advice and equipment available if you are looking for a cheap, easy and fun way to de-clutter and update your wardrobe. |
| Coat hangers (plastic or wire) | Check if your local charity shop would use them, or take to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre | When buying new clothes, you can refuse the hanger to avoid ending up with too many. Some stores will also accept back their own brand hangers. |
| Coffee cups (take away) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
The paper cups used for take-away hot drinks are usually lined with plastic and so cannot be recycled from home. Why not switch to a reusable cup to reduce your waste and potentially receive a discount from some stores? |
| Coffee grounds | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin | |
| Coffee pods | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin Or try your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Some Household Waste Recycling Centres have 'Pod-back' drop off points, and Terracycle also offer a recycling service for some of these products. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. |
| Coloured paper | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Compostable packaging / bags | Homes composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
We cannot accept packaging marked as 'compostable' in our garden waste collections, these do not compost down in the process. |
| Cooking oil | Household Waste Recycling Centre | Small amounts of cooking oil can be disposed of via your purple-lidded bin / non-recycling bin, but we suggest using something to absorb the oil. |
| Corks (real or plastic) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Corrugated cardboard | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Cotton buds | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Cotton reels | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
If you have a large quantity, try asking a local nursery or primary school if they could make use of these for early years play and development. |
| Cotton wool / make up pads | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
To reduce your waste, why not consider reusable make up pads? |
| Crisp and sweet packets or wrappers | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please place all empty packets and and wrappers in loose into your bin, or use a larger packet (e.g. crisp packet) to contain smaller wrappers. |
| Crockery (broken) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
You can also take larger quantities of broken or unusable crockery to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Cutlery | Household Waste Recycling Centre | If it is in good condition, take it to a reuse drop off point. Or you can sell, donate or pass it on. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Dairy | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
Not including milk - please pour this away before recycling the container |
| Disposable cutlery | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
If you are hosting a party, why not look into local reusable party kits available to hire? These kits are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying disposable equipment! |
| Disposable plates (without heavy food residue) | Paper plates: Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin Plastic plates: Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
If you are hosting a party, why not look into local reusable party kits available to hire? These kits are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying disposable equipment! |
| Disposable drinking cups (plastic) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Disposable drinking cups (paper) | Purple-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Paper cups are usually lined with plastic and so cannot be recycled from home. Why not switch to a reusable cup to reduce your waste? |
| Disposable nappies | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin | Why not give reusable nappies a try? Visit Hertfordshire WasteAware for more information and discounts for a range of retailers. |
| Disposable razor blades | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin | |
| Dog waste | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin | |
| Drinks bottles (e.g. juice, squash, milk) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin | Lids and labels can be left on. Left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty though, so please empty your containers before recycling. And try squashing down your bottles to make the most of the space in your bins. |
| Drinks cans | Black-lidded mixed recycling bin |
Left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty though, so please empty your containers before recycling. And try squashing down your cans to make the most of the space in your bins. |
| Drinks cartons (e.g. juices and milk) | Black-lidded mixed recycling bin |
Lids can be left on. Left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty though, so please empty your containers before recycling. And try squashing down your cartons to make the most of the space in your bins. |
| Drinking glasses | Donate, or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Many glass items such as cookware, glasses and vases can be donated for reuse if in good condition. Broken or damaged items should be carefully wrapped in newspaper and placed in your non-recyclables bin. Or for larger quantities of glassware, please take to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Duvets & pillows | Household Waste Recycling Centre | Some homewares stores, e.g. Dunelm, also offer recycling schemes - check online before making a trip. |
| DVDs | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin | If still in good condition, why not donate unwanted CDs and DVDs to your local charity shop? |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Egg boxes (cardboard) | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Egg boxes (plastic) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Egg boxes (polystyrene) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
This type of single use plastic packaging is being phased out - why not use your purchasing power and refuse to buy from anyone using this type unrecyclable packaging? |
| Egg shells | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Electrical items | Household Waste Recycling Centre | All electrical items contain valuable metals like copper that can be infinitely recycled, so make sure to take them to your Household Waste Recycling Centre, or check online to see if your local electrical retailer might offer a take back scheme. |
| Engine Oil | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Envelopes (including windows) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Film lids from pots or trays | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin | |
| Fireworks | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recycling bin |
Let your spent fireworks cool down completely, then submerge in in water for 48 hours to ensure they do not pose a fire risk. Then placing in a bin bag along with all other debris (plastic, cardboard, etc.). |
| Fish (including bones) |
Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Flower pots - plastic (small only) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Large pots are made from a more rigid plastic and should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| Flowers | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Fluorescent tube lightbulb | Household Waste Recycling Centre | Fluorescent tube light bulbs need to be recycled at designated points because they contain mercury, a hazardous material. Take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or check your local lightbulb stockist to see if they provide a take-back service. |
| Foam food trays and packaging | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
This type of single use plastic packaging is being phased out - why not use your purchasing power and refuse to buy from anyone using this type unrecyclable packaging? |
| Foil | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please rinse to remove food residue. Try to scrunch small bits of foil (e.g. chocolate wrappers) together to create a tennis ball-sized foil ball before placing in with your recycling. |
| Foil trays (e.g. take-away trays) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Left-over food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. Disposable BBQ trays must be completely cool before adding to your recycling container. Douse with cold water then leave overnight to cool completely before placing in with your recycling. |
| Foil-backed plastic wrapping (e.g. crisp packets, chocolate wrappers) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please place all empty packets and wrappers in loose into your bin, or use a larger packet (e.g. crisp packet) to contain smaller wrappers. |
| Food cartons (e.g. soups and TetraPak) | Black-lidded mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Food scrapings | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Food tins | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Fruit | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Fruit peelings | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Fruit punnets (plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Cardboard punnets should go into your blue-lidded bin / cardboard and paper bin. |
| Frying pans | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Cookware in good condition can often be donated - check with your local shops / charities before making a trip. Alternatively, as metal frying pans cannot be recycled from kerbside, take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Gift bags | Purple-lidded non-recycling bin | why not reuse these? |
| Glass bottles and jars (lids can be recycled) | Black-lidded mixed recycling bin | Left-over liquid or food residue can contaminate other recyclables so please empty your containers. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Glass cookware (e.g. Pyrex dishes, drinking glasses, vases) |
Purple-lidded non-recycling bin | Glass - many items such as cookware, glasses and vases can be taken to charity for reuse if in good condition. Otherwise, please dispose of in the appropriate container at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| Glass - sheet/window panes | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Glasses - drinking | Purple-lidded non-recycling bin | |
| Grass cuttings | Home composting or Garden waste bin | |
| Greaseproof paper | Purple-lidded non-recycling bin | |
| Greetings cards | Purple-lidded non-recycling bin | Cut old cards up and reuse them as gift tags, or send an E-Card as a zero-waste alternative. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Hair | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Hard covers (from catalogues and books) | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Hard plastic (children's toys, storage boxes, patio furniture etc.) |
Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Try and donate items still in good condition to keep them in circulation |
| Hay and straw | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Hedge cuttings | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Holiday brochures | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Hoover bags and dust | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cream tubs (plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Why not reuse these as drawer / storage organisers? If you are recycling them, then please empty your containers before recycling as left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Ice cream tubs (cardboard) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Incontinence wear | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Find out more about reusable incontinence products on the Waste Aware website, and receive discounts with participating brands |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| J-cloths | Purple-lidded bin / Non- recyclables bin |
Why not consider cutting up old textiles (e.g. sheets or towels) to make reusable cloths? |
| Jars (e.g. sauces, jam, baby food) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Labels and lids can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Jiffy-bag envelopes | Purple-lidded bin / Non- recyclables bin |
This type of packaging is being phased out, if you receive an item in this type of envelope (paper or plastic outer with bubble-wrap inner) why not reuse it again? |
| Junk mail - including leaflets and flyers | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Kitchen roll tubes | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Kitchen towels | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not switch to reusable kitchen towels and cloths to help reduce your waste? |
| Kitchenware (e.g. cutlery, crockery, pans etc.) |
Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
General kitchenware (e.g. cutlery, pots and pans) and home goods can be taken to charity for reuse if in good condition. Otherwise, please recycle at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Knives | Household Waste Recycling Centre Or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
If they are carefully wrapped to avoid risk of injury, then these can be disposed of in your non-recyclables bin. Alternatively take to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Laminated paper | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Latex gloves | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Latex balloons | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not switch to paper decorations for your next party? |
| Leaves | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Leftover food | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
Visit Love Food Hate Waste for recipe ideas on how to use up leftovers. |
| Lids (metal or plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Try squashing plastic bottles down first and place the lids back on to keep the bottles compact and save space in your recycling bin. |
| Light bulbs (fluorescent tubes) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | Fluorescent tube light bulbs need to be recycled at designated points because they contain mercury, a hazardous material. Take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or check your local lightbulb stockist to see if they provide a take-back service - please check before making a trip. |
| Light bulbs (halogen, LED and energy saving) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | Take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or check your local lightbulb stockist to see if they provide a take-back service - please check before making a trip. |
| Light bulbs (old incandescent style) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Magazines | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Remove any plastic wrapping and free gifts etc. from newspapers, magazines and flyers before recycling. |
| MDF | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Margarine tubs | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Food tubs can make great storage for left-overs! |
| Meat – raw or cooked | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Medicines | Return to pharmacy | You do not need to return any out of date or unused medicines to the pharmacy you received them from - any outlet should take them for safe disposal. |
| Medicine pill packets (e.g. blister packs) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some stores e.g. Boots provide recycling drop off points for blister packs - please check before making a trip. |
| Metal items e.g. kettles, irons, pipes, white goods. | Household Waste Recycling Centre | All electrical items contain valuable metals like copper that can be infinitely recycled, so make sure to take them to your Household Waste Recycling Centre, or check online to see if your local electrical retailer might offer a take back scheme. |
| Metal lids and tops | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Where possible, tuck the can lid inside the tin to reduce the risk of injury to our collection crews. |
| Metal tins (e.g. biscuits, chocolate) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Metal tins can make great storage containers. |
| Microwave meal trays (excluding black plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Black plastic trays cannot be recycled and should go into your purple-lidded bin / non-recyclables bin. |
| Milk bottles (including lids) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. And try squashing down your bottles and then replacing the lid to keep them compact and save space in your recycling bin. |
| Mirrors | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Motor oil containers | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Moss | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Napkins / serviettes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not switch to reusable napkins to help reduce your waste? |
| Nappies | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not give Real Nappies a try? Visit Hertfordshire WasteAware for more information and discounts from participating retailers. |
| Netting plastic (e.g. orange nets) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Newspapers | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
Remove any plastic wrapping and free gifts from newspapers, magazines and flyers before recycling. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Office paper | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Other glass bottles (e.g perfume, aftershave, face/body cream) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Other metals | Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Padded envelopes (e.g. Jiffy bags) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
This type of packaging is being phased out, if you receive an item in this type of envelope (paper or plastic outer with bubble-wrap inner) why not reuse it again? |
| Paint and solvent tins (full or empty) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | For any full /useable tins of paint, why not check with any local community groups to see if they can make use of them? Or your local Household Waste Recycling Centre might have a bay for paint that can still be used. |
| Paper (office, mail, newspaper, magazines, all colours, envelopes) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Paper towels and tissues | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not switch to reusable towels or hankies to help reduce your waste? |
| Parchment / baking paper | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Peelings (fruit and vegetable) |
Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Pencils | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
For stationery in good working condition, try checking with your local school or nursery to see if they could use them. |
| Pet bedding for vegetarian pets (hay and straw) | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Pet litter (carnivorous) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Pet faeces | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Please ensure that all pet faeces is bagged up before placing in your non-recyclables bin. |
| Pet food pouches | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
We strongly recommend rinsing these pouches before placing in your recycling bin to avoid smells. |
| Phone directories | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Photo negatives | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Photographic paper | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Pill (blister) packets | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some stores e.g. Boots provide recycling drop off points for blister packs - please check before making a trip. |
| Pillows and duvets | Household Waste Recycling Centre | Some homewares stores, e.g. Dunelm, also offer recycling schemes - check online before making a trip. |
| Plant pots - plastic (small only) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Large pots are more rigid plastic and should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre or placed in refuse Bin. |
| Plants (no soil) | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Plastic bags (e.g. carrier bags, bread, salad, fruit/veg bags, frozen food bags) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip; once they are no longer useable, put them in loose into your black-lidded mixed recycling bin. |
| Plastic bottles (e.g. detergent, shampoo, household cleaners) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. Try putting a bag or bin in the bathroom to remind you to recycle your bathroom bottles and toilet roll tubes. And save space in your recycling bin by squashing your bottles down. |
| Plastic films (e.g. from ready meals) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please add these loose into your recycling bin. |
| Plastic furniture | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Try asking your local charity shops if they have space to take furniture to help keep items in good condition in circulation. |
| Plastic food tubs, pots and trays (excluding black plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Black plastic trays cannot be recycled and should go into your purple-lidded bin / non-recyclables bin. |
| Plastic sweet wrappers | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please add these loose into the bin. For very small wrappers you may want to put these inside another larger wrapper like a crisp packet. Just don't bag everything up together. |
| Plastic wrapping (including food wrappers) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please add these loose into the bin. |
| Plastic toys | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Plastic sweet tubs | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Why not reuse these as drawer / storage organisers? |
| Plate glass | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Polystyrene (e.g. cups and packaging material) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Refuse these items when possible |
| Post-it notes | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Potato sacks (thick brown paper) | Blue-lidded bin Cardboard and paper bin |
Please cut off the string top and place in the purple-lidded bin / non-recyclables bin. |
| Pots (e.g. yoghurt, soup) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Pots and pans (e.g. saucepans, frying pans) |
Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Cookware in good condition can often be donated - check with your local shops / charities before making a trip. Alternatively, as metal frying pans cannot be recycled from kerbside, take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. |
| Printer cartridges | In-store recycling points or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some supermarkets, schools and charities offer recycling collections - check with your local store before making a trip. Alternatively, take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| Prunings | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Pumpkins | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
If you're carving a pumpkin for Halloween, consider chopping it up to cook, before adding the remains to your food waste caddy. Get recipe inspiration here. |
| Pyrex dishes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Many glass items such as cookware, glasses and vases can be taken to charity for reuse if in good condition. Otherwise, please dispose of in the appropriate container at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Razor blades | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Reading glasses | Donate or check with your local optician or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some opticians, e.g. Specsavers, offer recycling schemes for spectacles, check with your local stores before making a trip. Alternatively some charity shops can accept reading glasses with standard prescriptions - again, please check before making a trip. |
| Resealable plastic packets (e.g. cheese packaging, sandwich bags) | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Why not clean and reuse these bags to store food in more than once? |
| Rigid plastics (e.g. toys, clothes hangers) |
Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Items still in good condition can be donated to keep them in circulation. Damaged items or those that charity shops cannot accept can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. If you are disposing of rigid plastic items from home, please ensure they can easily fit into purple-lidded bin / non-recyclables bin. |
| Ring binders | Donate or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Try approaching a local school first to see if they can reuse them. |
| Rubber gloves | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Sanitary products (wrapped) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not consider reusable items? See Herts Sustainable Periods |
| Saucepans | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Cookware in good condition can often be donated - check with your local shops / charities before making a trip. Alternatively, as metal frying pans cannot be recycled from kerbside, take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. |
| Seed trays - no larger than 30cm | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Larger seed trays are made from rigid plastic and so should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre for recycling. |
| Sellotape | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Shellfish | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Shiny cardboard (that tears so does not have a plastic coating) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Shiny cardboard (that does not tear and has plastic coating) | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Shoes | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Pairs of shoes in good condition can easily be donated to a local charity shop, or dropped at the clothing recycling banks at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please ensure shoes are tied or bagged up in their pairs. |
| Shower curtain | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Shredded paper | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
You can put shredded paper into a paper bag or envelope to stop it blowing away at collection. |
| Shrink wrap (e.g. cling film) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
|
| Shrubs and flowers | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Soil / turf / rubble | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Solar panels | For more information please contact a specialist solar panel recycling service such as www.recyclesolar.co.uk | |
| Spectacles | Donate or check with your local optician or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some opticians, e.g. Specsavers, offer recycling schemes for spectacles, check with your local stores before making a trip. Alternatively some charity shops can accept reading glasses with standard prescriptions - again, please check before making a trip. |
| Sponges and loofahs | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Stickers / sticky labels (including the glossy backing paper) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Straw / hay | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Styrofoam (e.g. drinking cups) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
This type of single use plastic packaging is being phased out - why not use your purchasing power and refuse to buy from anyone using this type unrecyclable packaging? |
| Syringes (sharps) | Clinical waste bin | Read more about clinical waste collections. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Tablet packets (e.g. blister packs - plastic and foil) |
Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some stores e.g. Boots provide recycling drop off points for blister packs - please check before making a trip. |
| Tape | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Tea bags | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
|
| Telephone directories | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Textiles, clothes and shoes | Donate or take to a textiles recycling bank at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre |
Have you considered holding a clothes swap with your friends or community group? WasteAware has advice and equipment available if you are looking for a cheap, easy and fun way to de-clutter and update your wardrobe. |
| TetraPak cartons | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Tins (food, biscuit, chocolate) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Tins (paint and solvent – full or empty) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | For any full /useable tins of paint, why not check with any local community groups to see if they can make use of them? Or your local Household Waste Recycling Centre might have a bay for paint that can still be used. |
| Tin foil | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please rinse to remove food residue. Try to scrunch small bits of foil (e.g. chocolate wrappers) together to create a tennis ball-sized foil ball before placing in with your recycling. |
| Tissues | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Toiletries and other bathroom bottles (e.g. shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Check they are empty first as leftover liquid can make other recyclables dirty. Lids and labels can be left on. Try putting a bag or bin in the bathroom to remind you to recycle your bathroom bottles and toilet roll tubes. |
| Toilet roll inner tubes | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Toner cartridges | In-store recycling points or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some supermarkets, schools and charities offer recycling collections - check with your local store before making a trip. Alternatively, take them to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. |
| Toothpaste tubes | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Toothpaste tubes are now able to be recycled. Please ensure your tubes are as empty as possible (but do not cut them open) and leave the lids on them. |
| Toys (plastic or soft) | Donate or Household Waste Recycling Centre or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Items in a good condition can easily be donated to a local charity shop. Toys that are damaged might be recyclable from your local Household Waste Recycling Centre - check with the onsite team as this will depend on the material. |
| Toy packaging | Cardboard boxes - Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin Plastic packaging - Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin Polystyrene - Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Trays / punnets (e.g. meat trays, take-away trays, fruit /veg trays, excluding black plastic) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Lids and labels can be left on, but any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. Any black plastic trays or the absorbent pads in the base of the trays should be removed and placed in your purple-lidded bin / non-recyclables bin. |
| Tree cuttings (branches no larger than 3cm in diameter) | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Treated wood (e.g. fence panels, painted doors, furniture, wicker baskets) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | Try donating any wooden furniture or wicker baskets still in good condition before recycling. |
| Tubs (e.g. margarine, ice cream) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Why not reuse these as drawer / storage organisers? If you are recycling them, then please empty your containers before recycling as left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Tupperware | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not reuse these as drawer / storage organisers? |
| Turf / soil / rubble | Household Waste Recycling Centre |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Uncooked food | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
| Item | Where does it go? | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Vapes (electronic cigarettes) |
These contain built-in batteries and cannot be disposed of in any of your household waste or public bins. Vape retailers should offer a recycling service on a like-for-like basis when you buy a replacement vape. Alternatively, you can take your vapes to the electrical section of your local recycling centre. |
Please be aware: vapes present a very real fire hazard in the household waste or public bins. When they are crushed as part of waste processing, they can catch fire and explode. |
| Video cassettes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some charity shops will still accept working video cassettes - check with your local shops. |
| Vegware | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Although Vegware is a plastic-free alternative, we are not able to accept it in the recycling bin. Consider using reusable items to reduce waste. |
| Vegetable peelings | Brown food waste caddy / Food waste bin |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Washing powder boxes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
While they are made from cardboard they are often plastic-coated which means they cannot be recycled. |
| Wallpaper | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Water filter cartridges (e.g. Brita) | Check online with your filter brand for recycling schemes or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Some supermarkets and shops selling filters also accept some filter brands to be recycled - check before making a trip. |
| Wax crayons | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Why not check with your local primary schools or nurseries to see if they could use them? |
| Weed-control fabric | Purple-lidded bin Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Weeds | Home composting or Brown-lidded garden waste bin (chargeable service for households only) or Household Waste Recycling Centre |
|
| Wet wipes | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Please do not flush any kind of wet wipes down the toilet as they can cause blockages in the wider sewage system. |
| White paper (e.g. printer paper and letters) |
Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Window frames (wooden or plastic) |
Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Window glass | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Window panes | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Wire and cables | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Wood | Household Waste Recycling Centre | |
| Wood shavings (untreated) | Home composting or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
Please bag up your wood shavings to allow for easier collection. |
| Woodchip wallpaper | Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
|
| Wrappers (e.g. from sweets, biscuits) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please place all empty packets and and wrappers in loose into your bin, or use a larger packet (e.g. crisp packet) to contain smaller wrappers. |
| Wrapping (plastic - e.g. from around magazines) |
Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Please place loose in your recycling bin |
| Wrapping paper - plain brown or printed paper, no foil or metallic effect | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Wrapping paper - with foil, glitter or plastic coating | Reuse or Purple-lidded bin / Non-recyclables bin |
If you are not sure whether your wrapping paper is plastic-coated, try scrunching it into a ball - if it springs back out then it is non-recyclable. |
| Item | Where to dispose of it? | Useful tips |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Pages | Blue-lidded bin / Cardboard and paper bin |
|
| Yoghurt pots | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |
Any left-over liquid or food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. It does not need to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. |
| Yoghurt pot lids | Black-lidded bin / Mixed recycling bin |