Most households have bins for general waste and recycling. Use this guide to check what goes in each bin.

If you prefer a digital copy, download our our recycling guide.

Blue bin (general waste)

For waste that cannot be recycled.

You can put in:

• pet waste
• vacuum cleaner dust
• nappies and hygiene products
• polystyrene
• tissues and kitchen paper
• broken items that cannot be recycled
• non-recyclable waste

Do not put in:

• recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, cans or plastics)
• food or garden waste
• electrical items
• batteries and vapes

Green bin (cans and plastics)

You can put in:

• plastic bottles,
• plastic pots, tubs and trays
• food tins and drink cans
• foil trays
• metal lids
• empty aerosols
• plastic plant pots
• plastic coat hangers

You can also put in:

• plastic bags and wrapping, including:
  • plastic pouches
  • carrier bags
  • food wrappers
  • cling film
  • film from ready meal trays, fruit tubs and pizza
  • fruit and veg nets
  • plastic sauce sachets
  • bread bags
  • snack bags (like crisps and peanuts)
  • pet food wrappers

Empty and rinse containers before putting them in your bin.

Do not put in:

• food waste
• polystyrene
• electrical items

Grey bin (paper and cardboard)

You can put in:

• paper
• newspapers and magazines
• cardboard boxes, cardboard tubes and other cardboard containers
• envelopes
• greeting cards

Keep paper and cardboard clean and dry.

Do not put in:

• food or drink-soiled paper or card
• plastic wrapping
• tissues or paper towels
• passed envelopes
• food or drink cartons

Brown bin (food and garden waste)

You can put in:

• food waste (including meat and bones)
• fruit and vegetable peelings
• tea bags and coffee grounds
• garden waste (grass cuttings, leaves and small branches)

Do not put in:

• packaged food (food still in jars or packets)
• soil or rubble
• animal waste
• pet bedding/sawdust
• liquids
• invasive plants (like Japanese Knotweed)
• compost

Households with a brown bin will get a small kitchen food waste caddy. You can line the caddy with:

• compostable food waste bags, available to buy from supermarkets
• newspaper, office paper or paper bags
• nothing, add your contents loose

Items you cannot put in any bin

Never place batteries, vapes or small electrical items in any household bin, as they can cause fires. Recycle them correctly at your nearest Recycling Centre.

Other items you cannot put in any household bin include:

• chemicals or paint
• large items (for example furniture)

You can:

• take these to a recycling centre
• arrange a collection using our free bulky uplift service