What can be recycled

Find out what items go into your blue recycling bin, green garden or grey household bin, and which items can be taken to recycling sites.

Don't forget to rinse and squash to make room in your blue recycling bin.

To see when your recycling bin will be collected, see bin collection dates.

Learn about waste awareness and recycling

The Waste and Recycling Visitor Education Centre in Gateshead offer a range educational engagement programmes and activities around waste awareness.

For more information on the centre and what they can offer, see Gateshead Council: Waste and Recycling Visitor Education Centre.

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Recycling A to Z
ItemMethod(s) of disposalFilters
A
Adhesives and gluesPut in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin

Advent calendar

Remove the plastic insert and put the cardboard in your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin

Aerosols (empty)Put empty aerosols in the main part of your blue recycling bin, or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites

Air bed

Put in your grey household bin or take to the Recycling Village.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Air freshener (electric)

Take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
Air freshener (plastic)Put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Alarm clocks

If it is still working, you can donate it to a local charity.

If it is electric, take it to the Recycling village.

If it is not electrical, put in your grey household bin.

Recycling Village, Grey household bin
Aluminium cansPut in your blue recycling bin, or take to one of our recycling sites.Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Aluminium foilPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Animal bedding and blankets

Hay, straw and sawdust - put in your grey household bin.

Pet blankets, towels and fabric beds - take to a recycling site which has a textile bank.

Grey household bin, Recycling sites
Animal and pet wastePut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Asbestos

Asbestos needs to be disposed of by an authorised contractor. See Asbestos.

Do not take asbestos to a recycling centre, and do not put asbestos in any bin provided. Do not move asbestos without first contacting the council on 427 7000 and getting the correct advice.

Contact us, Not in any bin
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B
Balloons

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Barbeques

Solid metal barbeques - take to the Recycling village.

Disposable barbeques - put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Bathroom products (shampoo, bubble bath, moisturiser, razors, toothbrushes, cotton buds, cotton wool, toothpaste tubes)

Plastic shampoo, bubble bath and moisturiser bottles - put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Razors, cotton buds, cotton wool and toothpaste tubes - put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin, Recycling sites
Bathroom suite

If you are having a new bathroom professionally installed, the contractor should remove your old suite free of charge. This type of waste includes baths, sinks and toilets.

If you don't have a contractor you can take the suite to the Recycling village or you can arrange for a Council house and garden clearance or a bulky waste collection.

Contact us, Not in any bin, Recycling Village
Bath / beach towels

If these are in good condition, donate to a local charity shop, or recycle at one of our recycling sites with a textiles bank.

If the towel is in poor condition, put it in your grey household bin.

Recycling sites, Grey household bin
 
Batteries and car batteries

Do NOT put batteries in your blue recycling bin, or your grey household bin.

See: where to recycle batteries.

Not in any bin
Bedding and duvets

If they are in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or take them to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank or the Recycling village.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Beds

Take these to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Contact us, Not in any bin, Recycling Village
Bikes

If it is in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If it is broken, take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
Birthday cards

Cards with glitter, glue, metallic or 3D decoration - put in your grey household bin.

Plain birthday cards - put in your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
Biscuit/sweet wrappersPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Biscuit tins (metal and plastic)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Black plastic food trays / microwave meals

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Black sacks

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Blades (food processor blades / knives)

Wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Bones (leftover meat bones or dog bones)

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Books

If they are in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or take them to one of our recycling sites.

Recycling sites
Bottles and jars

Put in your blue recycling bin, or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Bottle tops

Remove them from the plastic bottle and put in your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin
Bricks/builder's rubble

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a house and garden clearance.

Contact us, Not in any bin, Recycling Village
Brochures

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin, or take to one of our recycling sites with a paper bank.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Bubble wrapPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
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C
Cables

Ask your family or friends if they could use any unwanted cables or recycle through Universal Recycling by phoning 0800 294 2901.

These cannot be put in any of your bins.

Contact us
CamerasCameras can be passed to family and friends, donated to a local charity shop or resold.Not in any bin
Camping gas cylinders

Put in your grey household bin.

If the cylinder is leaking, contact the manufacturer.

Grey household bin
Cans

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Cardboard / cardboard boxes / packaging / cereal boxes

Put in your blue recycling bin.

If you have lots of cardboard items, take them to one of our recycling sites or the Recycling village.

Cardboard that has food or grease on it cannot be recycled and should be put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites, Grey household bin
Carpet / underlay

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Contact us, Recycling Village
Carrier / plastic bags

Put these in your grey household bin.

Plastic bags cannot go in your blue or green bin as this can cause problems at the sorting facility.

Grey household bin
Cartons (juice, milk and food)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Catalogues

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin
Cat food pouchesPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Cat litterPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
CDsDonate to a local charity or put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
CD casesPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
CellophanePut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Ceramics and crockeryWrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Cereal boxesPut in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
ChargersTake to the Recycling villageRecycling Village
Chemicals (including oil, paint and pesticides)

Do not put these in any bin.

See hazardous waste or ring 427 7000 for advice.

Contact us, Not in any bin
Children's car seatsTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
China cups / plates / ornaments

If they are in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Chipboard

Take to the Recycling village and put in the wood container.

The staff can help you with this.

Recycling Village
Christmas treesThis is seasonal only and dates will be confirmed closer to December. Keep checking: Bins and recycling for a list of locations within the Borough. 
Cling filmPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Clinical waste

This includes adult nappies, sanitary products, soiled dressings and bandages, or any item that may be soiled by blood or bodily fluids.

Wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Clothes / children's clothing

Donate to a local charity or take to one of our recycling sites or the Recycling village.

If you can't access these, put in your grey household bin.

Recycling sites, Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Coat hangers

Donate to a local charity or put in your grey household bin.

Some supermarkets will recycle coat hangers.

Grey household bin
Coffee grinds and filters

Put in your compost bin or your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Computers/laptops

Take to the electrical goods area at the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village, Contact us
Confidential documents

Put in your grey household bin or use a specialist company.

Grey household bin
Cookers

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Recycling Village, Contact us
Cooking oil / fat

Once cool, place in a sealed plastic bag and take to the Recycling village.

Do not put in any bin.

Contact us, Recycling Village
CorksPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Crisp / snack food packetsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Crockery

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Curtains

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.

Put in your grey household bin as a last resort.

Recycling sites, Grey household bin
Cutlery

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
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D
Detergents

Put the cardboard boxes and plastic bottles in your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin
Directories

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
DIY waste (bathroom fixtures / fittings, bricks, cement, doors, fence panels, floor tiles, rubble, roofing, sheds, tiles, wood)

Arrange a bulky waste collection or a house and garden clearance.

Do not put any of these items in any of your bins.

Contact us
Dog / animal mess

Wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Drinking glassesWrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
DustPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Duvets and pillowsTake to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.Recycling sites
DVDs

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or take to the Recycling village or one of our recycling sites with a book and media bank.

Put in your grey household bin as a last resort.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village, Grey household bin
DVD players/video recordersTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
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E
Egg cartons / boxes

Cardboard egg boxes - remove leftover food and put in your blue recycling bin.

Plastic egg boxes - put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
Egg shells

Put in your compost bin or your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Elastic bandsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Electrical goods (small)

Take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
Electrical goods (large)

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Recycling Village, Contact us
Engine oil

Make sure the oil is in its original container and take to the Recycling village.

The staff can help you with this.

Recycling Village
Envelopes

Padded and jiffy envelopes - can either be reused or put in your grey household bin.

Other envelopes - put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
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F
Fabric

Donate to a local charity or take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.

Or take to the Recycling village.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Fibreglass

Take to the Recycling village.

The staff can help you with this.

Recycling Village
Fireworks

Wrap used fireworks carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Fire extinguisher

Contact the supplier to collect.

Do not put in any of your bins.

Not in any bin
Flares

These cannot be put in any of your bins.

You should contact the supplier you bought them from to see if they will take them back.

This may not be possible if you bought them online, so you should bear this in mind before you buy them.

Not in any bin
Flowerpots

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Flowers and plants

Put in your green garden bin or compost bin.

Or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
Fluorescent tubes

Take to the Recycling village.

Staff remove the hazardous mercury so the metal and plastic can be recycled.

Recycling Village
Food containers (food trays, yoghurt pots etc.)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Food tins

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Food waste / leftovers

Put in your grey household bin.

Some food can be put in a compost bin.

Grey household bin
Fridge or freezers

If it is in good condition, donate to a local charity or sell them through ads or classifieds.

If not, take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Recycling Village, Contact us
Fruit punnets (plastic)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to the Recycling village.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
Fruit punnets (wooden)Put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Furniture

If it is in good condition, donate to a local charity or sell them through ads or classifieds.

If not, take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Please do not leave these items in back lanes. Fly tipping is illegal and causes the Council problems.

Recycling Village, Contact us
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G
Garden (grass cuttings, plants etc.)

Put in your compost bin or your green garden bin.

See a list of what you can put in your green bin.

Green garden bin
Gas bottles and cylinders

Gas cylinders remain the property of the issuing company.

Please return them to the address shown on the label.

Camping gas and helium bottles can disposed of at the Recycling village.

Not in any bin, Recycling Village
Gazebo

Put in your grey household bin or take to the Recycling village.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Glass

Glass bottles and jars - rinse and put in your blue recycling bin. Remove corks, metal lids or plastic tops before recycling.

Window panes, mirrors, photo frames, light bulbs, ceramics and glass ovenware - wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Broken glass - wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village, Grey household bin
Glasses / spectacles

Many high street opticians will take back unwanted glasses for re-use in developing countries.

If not, put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Glitter

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Grass

Put in your green garden bin or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
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H
Hair / hair extensionsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
HangersDonate to a local charity or put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Hazardous waste ( antifreeze, fertiliser, fire extinguishers, oven cleaners, oil, paint, petrol, thermometer, weed killer etc.)All types of hazardous waste including paint, pesticides, batteries, poisons, battery acid, paint stripper, household cleaners and chemicals, weed killer, medicines, tablets and fluorescent tubes should not be disposed of through your blue recycling or green garden bins. Petrol cans should NOT be put in the blue recycling bin. If you have any harmful substances seek advice from the Council contact centre on 427 7000.Contact us, Not in any bin
Hearing aids

Unwanted hearing aids can be sent to the Hearing Aid Appeal, run by Help the Aged. The hearing aids are tested and cleaned and sent to India.

Send to: Hearing Aid Appeal, Help the Aged, FREEPOST LON 13616, London, EC18 1PS or visit: www.helptheaged.org.uk

Grey household bin
Hedge trimmings

Put in your green garden bin or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
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I
Inhalers

Remove the hard plastic casing and put in your blue recycling bin.

The plastic casing can be taken to the plastics container at the Recycling village.

Every pharmacy in South Tyneside now has a specially labelled inhaler bin on display.

Many patients can make an even bigger difference by switching to eco-friendly dry powder inhalers for most of their needs.

While one blue inhaler makes the same climate change impact as driving from South Shields to Liverpool, a dry powder inhaler is equivalent to driving from Shields to Jarrow.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
Ink cartridgesTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
Insulation

Take to the general waste skips at the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
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J
Japanese knotweed

If you suspect that you have Japanese knotweed on your property you should take care not to allow it to spread.

Japanese knotweed should not be put in any of your bins.

Not in any bin
JarsSee glass. 
JewelleryDonate to a local charity or put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Junk mail and magazine inserts

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites with a paper bank.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
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K
KeysPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Kitchen towels/tissuesPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
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L
Laminate flooring

Take to the laminate wood container at the Recycling village or arrange a house and garden clearance.

Recycling Village, Contact us
Laminated paper, posters or cardboardPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Lawnmower (electric, manual, petrol)

Electric and manual lawnmowers - take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Petrol lawnmowers can only be accepted if the tank is empty/fully drained. We do not accept petrol as it is hazardous.

Contact us, Recycling Village
Leaves

Put in your compost bin or your green garden bin.

Do not place leaves in plastic bags in your green garden bin.

Green garden bin
Linen

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, take to one of our recycling sites with a textiles bank or the Recycling village.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Light bulbs

Wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin or take to the Recycling village.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
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M
Magazines / papers / catalogues

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Mattresses

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.

Please do not leave these items in back lanes. Fly tipping is illegal and causes the Council problems.

Recycling Village, Contact us, Not in any bin
Meat trays (plastic and aluminium)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Medicine

Empty glass medicine bottle and cardboard boxes - put in your blue recycling bin.

Foil packets - put in your grey household bin.

Unused medicines can be returned to a local pharmacist.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
Metal

Take to the Recycling village.

If you use a company to remove scrap metal, ensure they have an appropriate license to do this.

Recycling Village
Metal pots and pansPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Milk bottles

Put in your blue recycling bin.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin
Milk containers (plastic)

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to the Recycling village.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
Mirrors

Wrap carefully and put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Mobile phonesDonate to a local charity or put in your blue recycling bin.Blue recycling bin
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N
NapkinsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Nappies

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Needles/syringes

Do NOT put in any of your bins.

All used needles, empty syringes, empty insulin cartridges and lancets must be put in a sharps bin.

Sharps bins are yellow plastics containers designed for the safe disposal of such items.

For further advice on how to get sharps bin and how to dispose, please contact your doctor, pharmacist or the NHS.

Not in any bin
NewspapersPut in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
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O
Oil - engine

Take to the Recycling village in its original container.

Recycling Village
Oil - cooking

Once cool, place in a sealed plastic bag and take to the Recycling village.

If you have large quantities of cooking oil, there are a number of companies who operate waste cooking oil collections.

Check with the Environment Agency that any company you use is licensed to collect and transport waste oil.

Not in any bin, Recycling Village
OvensTake to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.Recycling Village, Contact us
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P
Padded / jiffy envelopesPut in your grey household bin.Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
Paddling pools

If in good condition, donate to charity.

If not, put in your grey household bin or take to the Recycling village.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Paint/paint thinners

Paint and paint thinners are classed as hazardous waste. If you have excess paint at home, try and use it up, either by yourself or give it to friends and relatives.

Clean and dry metal tins can be disposed in the metal banks at the Recycling village, but plastic or contaminated tins must be disposed of in the general waste skip at the Recycling village.

Solvent based paint, paint thinner and white spirit should be disposed as hazardous waste, and not poured down the drains.

Not in any bin, Recycling Village
Paper

Paper, newspapers, brochures, catalogues and junk mail - put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Shredded paper - Wrap in newspaper or weigh it down and put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Laminated paper, foil, glitter or foil wrapping paper - put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin, Recycling sites
Paper bags

Put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Make sure they are not damp or have any food or drink inside.

Blue recycling bin
Paper towelsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Pens / stationeryPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
PetrolSee hazardous waste. 
Pets / pet waste

Put in your grey household bin.

This includes pet food pouches which often contain unwanted residue and that means they can't be recycled.

Grey household bin
PhotographsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Pillows

Take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank or take to the Recycling village.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Pizza boxes

Put in your grey household bin.

These often contain unwanted food residue or grease that means they can't be recycled.

Grey household bin
Plants

Put in your compost bin, green garden bin or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
Plastic chairsTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
Plastic plant pots / traysPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Plant pots / hanging basketsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Plastic

Hard plastics - take to the Recycling village.

Plastic bottles and food containers - take off the plastic lids and put in your blue recycling bin.

Do not use plastic bags to separate these items.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
Plastic bags

Re-use or put in your grey household bin.

Plastic bags cannot go in your blue or green bin as this can cause problems at the sorting facility.

Grey household bin
Plastic trays (microwave)Put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
PlywoodTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
Polystyrene cups/food trays/packagingPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Pond algae and plants

Put in your compost bin, green garden bin or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
Pots and pans

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
Pyrex dishesPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
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Q
Quilts

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, put in your grey household bin or take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.

Grey household bin, Recycling sites
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R
Radiators

Take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village
RagsPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Rechargeable batteriesSee: where to recycle batteries 
Records and tapesDonate to a local charity or put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Roof tiles

Take to the Recycling village.

If you are using a contractor to carry out the works, then it is their responsibility to get rid of them.

Recycling Village
Rubble

Take to the Recycling village.

If you are using a contractor to carry out the works, then it is their responsibility to get rid of it.

Recycling Village
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S
SawdustPut in your compost bin or your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Sofa/settee

If in good condition, donate to a local charity or sell them online.

If not, arrange a bulky waste collection.

Please do not leave these items in back lanes. Fly tipping is illegal and causes the Council problems. 

Contact us
Shoes

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, take to the Recycling village or one of our recycling sites with a clothes bank.

Put in your grey household bin as a last resort.

Grey household bin, Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Shredded paper

Wrap in newspaper or weigh it down and put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Blue recycling bin
Shrubs

Put in your compost bin, green garden bin or take to the Recycling village.

Green garden bin, Recycling Village
Soil

Small amounts - Put in your green garden bin. Do not put the soil in bags first.

Large amounts - If you're having building work done, the contractor should dispose of it for you. If not, arrange a house and garden clearance.

Large amounts of soil makes the bin too heavy for our operatives.

Green garden bin, Contact us
SpectaclesSee glass. 
Sports equipment

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, put in your grey household bin or take to the Recycling village.

Grey household bin, Recycling Village
Spray cans

Put in your blue recycling bin.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin
Steel cansPut in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Straw and hayPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Syringes

Do NOT place directly into your grey household or blue recycling bin. All used needles, empty syringes, empty insulin cartridges and lancets must be put in a sharps bin. Sharps bins are plastics containers designed for the safe disposal of such items.

For further advice on where to get these and the disposal please contact your doctor, pharmacist or the NHS.

Not in any bin
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T
Takeaway boxes/containers

Put in your grey household bin.

These often contain unwanted food residue or grease that means they can't be recycled.

Polystyrene containers - put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Tapes/cassette

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

If not, take to the Recycling village or one of our recycling sites with a book and media bank.

Recycling sites, Recycling Village
Tarmac

We cannot accept tarmac in any bin or at the Recycling village. Tarmac is classified as industrial waste and we are not legally required to accept it.

To arrange for the disposal of tarmac you should contact a legitimate commercial waste management or a skip hire company that is licensed to accept it.

Suitable companies can be found by looking in a telephone directory or using a search engine.

Not in any bin
Tea bags

Put in your compost bin or your grey household bin.

Check that your tea bags are compostable first. Only 20-30% of tea bags are compostable.

Grey household bin
Telephone directoriesPut in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.Blue recycling bin
Tetra pack cartons

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Textiles/clothes/curtains

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Or take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.

Recycling sites
TilesSee roof tiles. 
TimberTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
Tins

Put in your blue recycling bin or take to one of our recycling sites.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling sites
Tin wrappers

Put in your blue recycling bin with the tin.

Blue recycling bin
Tissues (hankies, kitchen towel, napkins and other absorbent products)Put in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Tools

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Small electric power tools - put in your blue recycling bin.

Large tools - take to the Recycling village.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
Toothbrushes / shavers

Electrical toothbrushes and shavers - put in your blue recycling bin.

Hard plastic toothbrushes and shavers - put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
Towels / beach towels

Take to one of our recycling sites with a textile bank.

Recycling sites
Toys, soft toys and games

If in good condition, donate to a local charity.

Small electric toys - put in your blue recycling bin.

Cardboard boxes containing games - remove dices, cards and playing pieces and put in your blue recycling bin.

Soft toys - take to the Recycling village.

Blue recycling bin, Recycling Village
TyresTake to the Recycling village.Recycling Village
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Vacuum cleanerTake to the Recycling VillageRecycling Village
Vapes

Vape pens should not be put in any of your bins.

Take to the Recycling village.

Recycling Village, Not in any bin
Vegetables/vegetable peelings

Put in your compost bin or your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
Vegetable oil

Pour into a plastic container and put in your grey household bin.

Empty oil bottles - wash thoroughly and put in your blue recycling bin.

Grey household bin
Vending cups

Put in your grey household bin.

Grey household bin
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Walking sticksDonate to a local charity.Not in any bin
WallpaperPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Washing machineTake to the Recycling Village or arrange a bulky waste collection.Recycling Village, Contact us
White goodsTake to the Recycling village or arrange a bulky waste collection.Recycling Village, Contact us
Window frames wood/UPVC

Take to the Recycling village or arrange a house and garden clearance.

Contact us, Recycling Village
Wood / sheds / timber fencing / wooden chairs

Take to the Recycling village.

We can accept all wood and timber for recycling apart from laminate flooring and treated timber.

Contact us, Recycling Village
WoolPut in your grey household bin.Grey household bin
Wrapping paper

Traditional brown paper - remove any sticky tape and put in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.

Any other wrapping paper - put in your grey household bin.

Blue recycling bin, Grey household bin
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Yellow pagesPut in the inner caddy of your blue recycling bin.Blue recycling bin
Yoghurt cartons

Put in your blue recycling bin.

You should rinse these out before you recycle them.

Blue recycling bin
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Zimmer frameReturn to the issuer or donate to social services, a health centre or a hospital.Not in any bin
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