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

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

You can't put some items in any household bin. These include:

• electrical items
• batteries
• 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