Please note: this A to Z reflects the Council's current waste collection arrangements, running until 3 August 2025. It will be updated for the new bin collection service when it starts on 4 August 2025.
What goes in my bins
This page is an A-Z guide of what you can place in each of your bins and your paper box, to help you to keep recycling as much as possible.
Please note our Garden Waste Service is a paid for service. Please only place items in the garden waste bin if you have paid for a subscription to this service.
If you are unsure on a where to put any specific items not listed below please visit the Recycle Now website.
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Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Aerosol cans Recycling Bin Only empty aerosol cans can be recycled. Asbestos For advice on asbestos please contact WasteAware Aluminium foil 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) Refuse Bin - B
Item Where Shall I dispose of? Useful tips Baby/make-up wipes Refuse Bin Bags (plastic) Refuse Bin Reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip. Alternatively, some supermarkets have a collection scheme for plastic bags. Balloons (latex) Refuse Bin Bark Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Batteries Household Waste Recycling Centre Some local supermarkets offer a collection scheme for used batteries. Biodegradable packaging Refuse Bin Biros Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for your used pens. Visit the website for more info and to find your closest drop-off point. Biscuit/chocolate tins Recycling Bin Black sacks Refuse Bin Blister packs (for pills) Refuse Bin Bones (meat or fish) Home Composting or Refuse Bin Books (good quality) Charity Shops Books (beyond reuse) Kerbside paper box - pages only (remove cover and spine) Bottles, glass - any colour (e.g. wine, beer, spirits) Recycling Bin Lids can be recycled. Labels can be left on, but any leftover 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 Recycling Bin Lids can be recycled including spray bottle lids (trigger and pump) Branches from trees (smaller than 3cm in diameter) Garden Waste Bin Bread Home Composting or Refuse Bin Bread can be kept in the freezer until you're ready for toast! Alternatively, you can blitz stale bread in a food processor to make breadcrumbs. Brita water filter cartridges Refuse Bin Some shops accept returned Brita filters to be recycled. Bricks and rubble (non-trade only) Household Waste Recycling Centre Brochures Kerbside Paper Box Brown paper and envelopes Recycling Bin Bubble wrap Refuse Bin Reuse bubble wrap when food shopping to protect delicate items. It will also help to keep items coolers for longer! Buckets, old washing up bowls/tubs Household Waste Recycling Centre or Refuse Bin Builders waste (non-trade only) Household Waste Recycling Centre Butter tubs Recycling Bin - C
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Candles Refuse Bin Cans 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. Cardboard boxes (e.g. cereal boxes, delivery boxes) Recycling Bin Please flatten before recycling. Remove plastic inserts, polystyrene and tape from boxes. Cardboard egg boxes Recycling Bin Cardboard packets lined with metal (e.g. gravy granules, cocoa powder, Pringles tubes Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for some of these products. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. Cardboard sandwich boxes (including the plastic window, if clean from residue) Recycling Bin Left-over food can make other recyclables dirty. Please empty your containers before recycling. Cardboard sleeves (e.g. ready meal sleeves) Recycling Bin Cardboard tubes (e.g. from inside toilet rolls and kitchen roll) Recycling Bin Keep a recycling bin or bag in the bathroom to remind you to recycle your bottles and toilet roll tubes. Carpet Household Waste Recycling Centre Carrier bags Refuse Bin Reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip. Alternatively, some supermarkets have a collection scheme for plastic bags. Cartons (food and drink) Recycling Bin Card with food residue should be placed in the general rubbish bin. Cat food pouches (with silver lining) Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for some of these products. Visit the website for more information and find your closest drop-off point. Cat litter Refuse Bin Catalogues Kerbside Paper Box Cassette tapes (plus cases) Remove all tape first and place in Refuse Bin - the plastic cassette case can then be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre CDs Refuse Bin If still in good condition, why not donate unwanted CDs and DVDs to charity shops? CD Cases (hard plastic) Household Waste Recycling Centre Cellophane Refuse Bin Ceramics Refuse Bin Cereal Boxes Recycling Bin Please flatten where possible, to take up less space. Cereal packets - inner liners (plastic) Refuse Bin Chewing gum Refuse Bin Chocolate and biscuit tubs and trays Recycling Bin Christmas cards Refuse Bin Upcycle or reuse as gift tags. Christmas trees (real) Household Waste Recycling Centre Christmas trees (artificial) Household Waste Recycling Centre Cigarette ends Refuse Bins Cleaner and detergent bottles (e.g. bathroom cleaners, washing up liquid, bleach) Recycling Bin Check they are empty first as left-over liquid can make other recyclables dirty. Lids and labels can be left on. Cling film Refuse Bin Clothes, textiles and shoes Donate to Charity Shop or 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) Donate to Charity Shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre Be sure and refuse these if you make new purchases. Coffee grounds Home Composting or Refuse Bin Coffee pods Refuse Bin Terracycle 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 (except brown) Kerbside Paper Box Compostable packaging/bags Homes Composting or Refuse Bin Cooking oil Household Waste Recycling Centre Corks (real or plastic) Refuse Bin Corrugated cardboard Recycling Bin Costa cups Refuse Bin Return your cup to Costa to have it recycled. Costa lids Refuse Bin Cotton buds Refuse Bin Cotton reels Refuse Bin Cotton wool/make up pads Refuse Bin Crisp and sweet packets or wrappers Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for all brands or crisp packets. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. Crockery (broken) Refuse Bin Cutlery Reuse it. If it's in good condition, take it to a reuse drop off point. Or you can sell, donate, pass it on.
Recycle it. If it's metal, recycle at recycling centres in the metals containers.
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Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Dairy Home Composting or Refuse Bin Disposable cutlery Refuse Bin Disposable cardboard 'paper' or plastic plates (without heavy food residue) Recycling Bin If you are hosting a party, why not look into local reuseable party kits available to hire? These kits are cheaper and more environmentally friendly than buying disposable equipment! Disposable drinking cups (plastic) Recycling Bin Disposable drinking cups (cardboard or polystyrene) Refuse Bin Disposable nappies Refuse Bin Why not give Real Nappies a try? Visit Hertfordshire WasteAware for more information. Disposable razor blades Refuse Bin Dog waste Refuse Bin Drinks bottles (e.g. juice, squash, milk) Recycling Bin Please remove plastic film and place in the general rubbish bin. Lids and labels can be left on. Save space by squashing bottles. Drinks cans 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. Drinks cartons (e.g. juices and milk) Recycling Bin Lids can be recycled. 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. Drinking glasses Refuse Bin Many glass items such as cookware, glasses and vases can be taken to charity for refuse if in good condition. Otherwise, please dispose of in the appropriate container at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. Duvets and pillows Household Waste Recycling Centre DVD cases Refuse Bin - E
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Egg boxes (cardboard) Recycling Bin Egg boxes (plastic) Recycling Bin Egg boxes (polystyrene) Refuse Bin Egg shells Home Composting or Refuse Bin Electrical items Household Waste Recycling Centre Engine oil Household Waste Recycling Centre Envelopes including windows (brown) Recycling Bin Envelopes including windows (white) Kerbside Paper Box - F
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Film lids from the pots or trays Refuse Bins Financial Times Kerbside Paper Box Fish Home Composting or Refuse Bin Flower pots - plastic (small only) Recycling Bin Large pots are more rigid plastic and should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre or Placed in Black Bin. Flowers Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Foam food trays and food packaging Refuse Bin Foil Recycling Bin Please rinse to remove food residue Foil trays (e.g. take-away trays) Recycling Bin Any disposable BBQ trays must be completely cool before adding to your recycling container. Douse with cold water then leave overnight to cool completely. Foil/plastic wrapping (e.g. crisp packets) Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for all brands of crisp packets. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. Food and drink cartons (e.g. TetraPak©) 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. Food cartons (e.g. soups) Recycling Bin Lids can be recycled. 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 Home Composting or Refuse Bin Food tins 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 Home Composting or Refuse Bin Fruit peelings Home Composting or Refuse Bin Fruit punnets Recycling Bin Frying pans Refuse Bin - G
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips General kitchen ware (e.g. cutlery, pots & pans) General kitchen ware (e.g. cutlery, pots & pans) and home goods can be taken to charity for reuse if in good working order. Otherwise, please dispose of in the appropriate container at your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centre. Gift bags Refuse Bin Glass bottles and jars (lids can be recycled) Recycling Bin Left-over liquid or food residue can contaminate other recyclables so please empty your containers. It does not have to be spotless, a quick rinse will do. Glass cookware (e.g. Pyrex dishes, drinking glasses, vases, ceramics) Refuse 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 Refuse Bin or Household Waste Recycling Centre Glasses - drinking Refuse Bin Grass cuttings Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Greaseproof paper Refuse Bin Greetings cards Refuse Bin Cut old cards up and reuse them as gift tags, or send an E-Card as a zero-waste alternative. - H
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Hair Home Composting or Refuse Bin Hard covers (from catalogues and books) Recycling Bin Hard plastic (children's toys, storage boxes, recycling boxes) Donate to Charity Shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre Hay and straw Home Composting or Refuse Bin Hedge cuttings Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Holiday brochures Kerbside Paper Box Hoover bags and dust Refuse Bin - I
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Ice-cream tubs Recycling Bin Incontinence wear Refuse Bin - J
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips J Cloths Refuse Bin Jars (e.g. sauces, jam, baby food) - lids can be recycled 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. Jiffy bag envelopes Refuse Bin Junk mail including Kerbside Paper Box - K
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Kitchen roll tubes Recycling Bin Kitchen towels Refuse Bin Knives Refuse Bin These can be wrapped and disposed of in your rubbish bin. If it's metal, at recycling centres in the metals containers. - L
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Laminated plastic food/drink pouches (e.g. baby food pouches, cat food pouches or coffee pouches. Refuse Bin Latex gloves Refuse Bin Leaves Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Leftover food Home Composting or Refuse Bin Visit https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for recipe ideas on how to use up leftovers. Lids (metal or plastic) Recycling Bin You can keep lids on the containers, or put them separately into your mixed recycling bin. Light bulbs and fluorescent tubes Household Waste Recycling Centre Light bulbs (energy saving) Household Waste Recycling Centre Light bulbs (halogen) Refuse Bin Light bulbs (LED) Household Waste Recycling Centre Light bulbs (old style) Refuse Bin - M
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Magazines Kerbside Paper Box Remove any plastic wrapping or free gifts from newspapers, magazines and flyers. These should go in your refuse bin. MDF Household Waste Recycling Centre Margarine tubs Recycling Bin Meat - raw or cooked Home Composting or Refuse Bin Medicines Return to Pharmacy Medicine pill packets (e.g. blister packs) Refuse Bin Metal items such as kettles, irons, pipes, white goods Household Waste Recycling Centre Metal lids and tops Recycling Bin Pop food tin lids inside the tin and gently squash the top to stop them falling out. Metal tins (biscuit/chocolate -including lids) Recycling Bin Microwave meal trays (including black plastic) Recycling Bin Please remove plastic film and place in the refuse bin. Milk bottles (lids can be recycled) Recycling Bin Mirrors Donate to Charity Shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre Motor oil containers Household Waste Recycling Centre Moss Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin - N
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Napkins/serviettes Refuse Bin Nappies Refuse Bin Why not give Real Nappies a try? Visit Hertfordshire WasteAware for more information. Netting - plastic (e.g. orange nets) Refuse Bin Newspapers Kerbside Paper Box Remove any plastic wrapping and free gifts from newspapers, magazines and flyers. These should go in you refuse bin. - O
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Office paper Kerbside Paper Box Other glass bottles (e.g. perfume, aftershave, face/body cream) Recycling Box 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 Other non-paper wrappings Refuse Bin - P
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Padded envelopes (e.g. Jiffy bags) Refuse Bin Paint and solvent tins (full or empty) Household Waste Recycling Centre Paint including varnishes, gloss (over half full) Ecowaste offer a paint recycling scheme Paper (coloured except brown) Kerbside Paper Box Paper (office, mail, newspaper, magazines, white envelopes) Kerbside Paper Box Paper towels and tissues Refuse Bin Parchment/baking paper Refuse Bin Peelings (fruit and vegetables) Home Composting or Refuse Bin Pencils Refuse Bin Pet bedding for vegetarian pets (hay and straw) Home Composting or Refuse Bin Pet litter (carnivorous) Refuse Bin Pet faeces (bagged) Refuse Bin Pet food pouches Refuse Bin Terracycle offer a recycling service for some of these products. Visit the website for more information and to find your closest drop-off point. Phone directories Kerbside Paper Box Photo negatives Refuse Bin Photographic paper Refuse Bin Pill (blister) packs Refuse Bin Pillows and duvets Household Waste Recycling Centre Plant pots - plastic (small only) Recycling Bin Large pots are more rigid and should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre or placed in refuse bin. Plants (no soil) Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Plastic bags (e.g. carrier bags, compostable bags, bread, salad, fruit/veg bags, frozen food bags Refuse Bin reuse carrier bags on your next shopping trip. Alternatively, some supermarkets have a collection scheme for plastic bags. Plastic bottles (all drink, detergent, shampoo bottles) Recycling Bin Check they are empty first as left-over liquid can make other recyclables dirty. Firm lids can be recycled. Plastic film goes in the general rubbish bin. Try putting a bag or bin in the bathroom to remind you to recycle your bathroom bottles and toilet roll tubes. Save space by squashing bottles. Plastic films (from ready meals) Refuse Bin Plastic furniture Donate to Charity Shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre Plastic food tubs, pots and trays - including black plastic Recycling Bin Firm lids can be recycled. Plastic film goes in the refuse bin. plastic sweet containers Recycling Bin plastic sweet wrappers Refuse Bin Plastic wrapping (includes food wrappers) Refuse Bin Plastic toys Donate to Charity Shop or Household Waste Recycling Centre Plastic sweet tubs Recycling Bin Plate glass Household Waste Recycling Centre Polystyrene (e.g. cups and packaging material) Refuse Bin Post-it notes Kerbside Paper Box Potato sacks (think brown paper) Recycling Bin (please cut off the string top and place in the Refuse Bin) Pots (e.g. yogurt, soup) Recycling Bin Firm lids can be recycled. Plastic film goes in the refuse bin. Printer Cartridges Some supermarkets, schools and charities offer recycling collections (check with your local store) or they can be recycled at a Household Waste Recycling Centre or places in your Refuse bin. Prunings Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Pyrex Refuse 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. - R
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Razor blades Refuse Bin Reading glasses Donate to Charity Shop Resealable plastic packets (e.g. containing cheese, sandwich bags) Refuse Bin Rigid plastics (e.g. toys and hangers) Donate to Charity Shop if in good condition or put in your Refuse Bin Ring binders Refuse Bin Rubber gloves Refuse Bin - S
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Sanitary products (wrapped) Refuse Bin Sanitary towels Refuse Bin Saucepans Refuse Bin Seed trays - no larger than 30cm Recycling Bin (larger seed trays are rigid plastic and should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre) Sellotape Refuse Bin Shellfish Home Composting or Refuse Bin Shiny cardboard (that will tear and has no plastic coating) Recycling Bin Shiny cardboard (that has plastic coating) Refuse Bin Shoes Donate to Charity Shop Shower curtain Refuse Bin Shredded paper Kerbside Paper Box Put shredded paper into a paper bag or envelope to stop it blowing away. Shrink wrap Refuse Bin Shrubs and flowers Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Soil/turf/rubble Household Waste Recycling Centre Solar panels For more information please contact a solar panel recycling service such as www.recyclesolar.co.uk Spectacles Donate to Charity Shop Sponges and loofahs Refuse Bin Sticky labels and backing paper Refuse Bin Straw Home Composting or Refuse Bin Styrofoam Refuse Bin Syringes (sharps) Clinical Waste - T
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Tablet packets (plastic and foil) Refuse Bin Tape Refuse Bin Tea bags Home Composting or Refuse Bin Telephone directories Kerbside Paper Box Textiles, clothes and shoes Donate to Charity Shop or 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. TetraPaks©/Cartons 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) 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 Tin foil Recycling Bin Scrunch any foil into a ball roughly the size of a tennis ball. Tissues Refuse Bin Toiletries and other bathroom bottles (e.g. shampoo, shower gel) Recycling Bin Check they are empty first as left-over 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 tubes Recycling Bin Toner cartridges Supermarket and school recycling points, Household Waste Recycling Centre or Refuse Bin Toothpaste tubes Refuse Bin Toys (plastic or soft) If in a good condition - a charity shop, if not then Household Waste Recycling Centre or Refuse Bin Some supermarkets offer a plastic film recycling point, check your local store. Toys (cardboard packaging) Recycling Bin (remove any plastic film or polystyrene) Trays/punnets (e.g. meat trays, takeaway trays, fruit/veg trays, including black plastic) Recycling Bin Tree cuttings (branches no larger than 3cm in diameter) Home Composting or local waste and recycling centre Treated wood (e.g. fence panels, painted doors, furniture, wicker baskets Household Waste Recycling Centre Tree cuttings (only small twigs and branches accepted) Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Tubs (e.g. margarine, ice cream) Recycling Bin Firm lids can be recycled. Plastic film goes in the refuse bin. Tupperware Refuse Bin Turf/soil/rubble Household Waste Recycling Centre - U
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Uncooked food Home Composting or Refuse Bin - V
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Vapes/electronic cigarettes These contain built-in batteries and cannot be disposed of in household waste or household recycling, or public bins. Vape retailers should offer a recycling service on a like-for-like basis when you buy a replacement vape. Alternatively, please take the 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 or explode. Video cassettes Remove all tape first and place in Refuse Bin - the plastic cassette case can then be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre Vegetable peelings Home Composting or Refuse Bin Vegware Home Composting 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. - W
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Washing powder boxes Refuse Bin Wallpaper Refuse Bin Water filter cartridges (e.g. Brita) Refuse Bin Some shops accept returned Brita filters to be recycled. Wax crayons Refuse Bin Weed control fabric Refuse Bin Weeds Home Composting or Garden Waste Bin Wet wipes Refuse Bin White paper (e.g. printer paper and letters) Kerbside Paper Box 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 Recycline Centre Wood shavings (untreated) Home Composting or Refuse Bin Woodchip wallpaper Refuse Bin Wrappers (e.g. from sweets, biscuits) Refuse Bin Wrapping - plastic (e.g. from around magazines) Refuse Bin Wrapping paper - with foil, glitter or plastic coating Reuse or Refuse Bin Wrapping paper - plain brown or printed paper, no foil or metallic effected Refuse Bin - Y
Item Where shall I dispose of? Useful tips Yellow Pages Kerbside Paper Box Yogurt pots Recycling Bin Firm lids can be recycled. Plastic film goes in the refuse bin. Yogurt pot lids Refuse Bin
