What goes in which bin?

Find out what goes in which bin

Get a basic summary of what goes in your blue, black or green bin here. Use the search below for more detail on specific items.

If you would like to print a copy of our 'what goes in which bin' poster [PDF, 1.5MB], you can download it here - but to find information online, please use our accessible search function below. Please note, this poster is for printing purposes only and is therefore not accessible. 

If your item can't be found in the search, please contact us by completing our feedback survey. 

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Aerosol cans
Aerosol cans Blue bin Household recycling centre
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Recycle aerosol cans with other cans in your blue bin. For safety reasons please ensure aerosol cans are completely empty, and do not squash them.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centre
    Household Recycling Centre

    Aerosol cans which still contain chemicals should be disposed of at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

Aluminium tube like tomato puree
Aluminium tube like tomato puree Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Empty aluminium tubes can be recycled in your blue bin. You can also buy a small metal device to help you squeeze every bit of the contents out!

Armchair
Armchair Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Enquire about take-back schemes if you are having a new one delivered. If in good condition, pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Asbestos
Asbestos Specialist disposal
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Asbestos can be a dangerous material which, while being removed and disposed of, must be handled carefully and competently. A specialist licensed contractor should be used to ensure it is removed and disposed of in a controlled and safe manner.

    Visit the Health and Safety Executive website for the latest advice on asbestos.

    Cambridgeshire County Council offers residents a disposal service for small quantities of cement-bonded asbestos that will fit into a bag 2.59m (8 feet 6 inches) by 1.37m (4 feet 6 inches) in size within a 12-month period.

Ash (coal)
Ash (coal) Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Allow to completely cool and then bag it and put in your black bin. It must be bagged or it will blow out when the bin is emptied, and can be a hazard for our bin collectors.

    Coal ash is not suitable for composting or use on your garden.

Ash (wood)
Ash (wood) Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Wood ash can be used on your garden by adding directly to the soil around alkaline-loving plants. For example, clematis.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Allow to completely cool and then bag it in a paper bag and put in your green bin. It must be bagged or it will blow out when the bin is emptied, and can be a hazard for our bin collectors.

     

Baby food pouch
Baby food pouch Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but many Tesco and Co-Operative food stores now accept soft plastic packaging, including clean baby food pouches, in their in-store recycling bins. You can find soft plastic recycling locations on Recycle Now.

    You can also recycle clean baby food pouches with Terracycle. Find your nearest EllaCycle collection point.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you cannot use the Terracycle scheme, then please place them in the black bin as these pouches cannot be recycled at the moment.

Babybel cheese packaging
Babybel cheese packaging Specialist recycling
  • Specialist recycling

    There are Terracycle collection points for Babybel packaging in some parts of South Cambridgeshire. Find out more about the Babybel Recycling Programme.

Bagasse (sugar cane fibre) packaging
Bagasse (sugar cane fibre) packaging Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home

    Cardboard-like packaging made from sugar cane fibre can be added to your home compost bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    You can put sugar cane fibre disposable plates, bowls etc in your green bin to be composted. 

    Please note that this applies only to items which look like compressed paper or cardboard, not any which resemble plastic.

Bamboo or wood BBQ skewers
Bamboo or wood BBQ skewers Green bin
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Please place your Bamboo or wooden BBQ skewers into the green bin.

Bathroom ceramics
Bathroom ceramics Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, sell or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Batteries
Batteries Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Consider using rechargeable batteries. Modern rechargeable batteries hold their charge well and can be charged fairly quickly.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    All types of small portable household battery (for example AA, C, D, button) can be put in a small, tied plastic bag and placed on top of your blue, green or black bin lid for kerbside collection. On occasions when the battery container on the bin lorry is full, we cannot collect the batteries. If this is the case, please wait until the following week. Never put batteries inside any of your bins as they get damaged by the crusher inside the lorry and cause fires.

    There are also collection points in all major retailers that sell batteries. For example: supermarkets, service stations and electrical shops. If you share large bins, for example in a bin store at flats, please use these collection points instead of leaving batteries on the bins.

     

  • Household recycling centres

    Larger batteries from e-bikes, e-scooters, motorcycles and cars must be taken to the large Household Recycling Centres for safe recycling. 

    Never put batteries in your bins as they get damaged and cause fires. In particular e-bike batteries have caused numerous fires inside bin lorries and at the recycling sorting facility in our area over recent years due to being place into bins incorrectly.

    You can also take your smaller portable household batteries to the Household Recycling Centres for recycling if you wish.

Bicycle
Bicycle Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity such as OWL Bikes or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Bicycle tyres
Bicycle tyres Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Biscuit, cracker and cake wrappers
Biscuit, cracker and cake wrappers Specialist recycling Blue bin
  • Specialist recycling

    Biscuit, cracker and cake wrappers with a shiny foil-like layer on the inside or outside can’t be put in your blue bin but they can now be recycled at some shops which accept soft plastic packaging in their in-store recycling bins. You can find local soft plastic recycling locations at Recycle Now.

    You can also recycle these with Terracycle via the pladis Biscuits And Snacks Recycling Programme.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Plastic wrappers that do not have a shiny foil-like layer on the inside or outside can be included in your blue bin.

Black bags
Black bags Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please do not put black bags in your other bins. Even if a black sack contains recycling your blue bin may not be emptied if it contains one since we cannot see what is inside. Please put recycling into your blue bin loose.

    Empty black sacks - Unfortunately sorting equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility where items from blue bins are sent cannot detect the colour black and therefore black items can not be recycled. This is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution. See more information about black plastic recyclability issues.

Black plastic food trays
Black plastic food trays Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Although sorting equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility where items from blue bins are sent cannot detect the colour black, some sorting is done by hand so black plastic trays can be pulled out to recycle.

    Mechanical sorting of black plastics is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution. See more information about black plastic recyclability issues.

Blanket
Blanket Re-use Local recycling points
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

    Could you re-use it at home? Blankets are great for making childrens' dens, to keep in the car in case of emergency, or make a cosy pet bed.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean and dry blankets (even if they have holes) can be put in clothing or textile banks at various recycling points around the district. For example, at supermarkets.

    Blankets are accepted in all clothing banks, even those which are only marked 'clothes and shoes'.

Blister pack/pill packet
Blister pack/pill packet Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    You can recycle empty medicine blister pill packets at all Superdrug pharmacies.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These are made of plastic and foil firmly glued together, so are not easy to recycle.

Books
Books Re-use Household recycling centres Blue bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. Even damaged or out of date books can be recycled even if they are not suitable for re-sale.

  • Blue bin

    Out of date or damaged paperbacks not suitable for re-sale or donation can be recycled. 

    To recycle hardbacks, first remove the cover, which may contain glues which can cause problems in the recycling process. Put the cover in your black bin and the pages in your blue bin.

Bottle tops and plastic lids
Bottle tops and plastic lids Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    After rinsing and (where applicable) squashing your bottles and jars, please replace the lids on them before putting in the blue bin. This helps the small lids to find their way through the various conveyors in the sorting process, and they can be separated from the containers later on.

Bras
Bras Local recycling points
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean bras (even if worn-out) can be included in clothing banks at the various recycling points around the district.

Bread
Bread Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    If you have surplus bread, try to freeze it before it goes stale or mouldy. You can toast it straight from frozen.

    Stale bread can be used in many recipes, for inspiration see Love Food Hate Waste's website

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All cooked and uncooked food waste can go in the green bin.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Bric-a-brac
Bric-a-brac Re-use
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

Bricks
Bricks Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Usable bricks can be offered on networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Broken glass
Broken glass Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Large pieces of broken bottles and jars only can be put into your blue bin. Please put smaller shards into another jar with its lid on (or bag them and put them in your black bin) - this is to prevent them blowing out as the bin is emptied, which could be dangerous for staff.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Any other type of broken glass such as wine glasses or tumblers, windows, mirrors, picture frames should be carefully bagged and put in your black bin.

    Small fragments of broken bottles and jars should also be wrapped (for example, in newspaper), bagged and put in the black bin, unless they can be contained in another jar.

Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap Re-use Blue bin
  • Re-use

    Keep to re-use yourself, or offer larger amounts to others on local networks such as Facebook, Freegle or Freecycle.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Bucket
Bucket Re-use Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Many hard plastic items can be recycled at the Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you are unable to take it to a household recycling centre, you can put it in your black bin.

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Building rubble, soil and bricks
Building rubble, soil and bricks Re-use Specialist disposal Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Usable bricks and topsoil can be offered on networks such as FacebookFreegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    If you have building work done by a company, any waste resulting from it is classed as business waste and needs to be dealt with by the company.

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Small amounts of rubble, soil and brick waste resulting from small DIY work you have carried out yourself can be taken to Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Bulky waste
Bulky waste Re-use Household recycling centres Specialist disposal
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check large items are accepted - some will collect them from you) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

  • Specialist disposal

    You can have large items unsuitable for re-use or extra waste collected by the Council in a Bulky Waste Collection. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Butter wrapper
Butter wrapper Green bin Blue bin Black bin
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    A minority of butter wrappers are made from thin greaseproof paper. These can be added to your green bin. Please check it is paper with no plastic or foil content first by trying to tear it - if it tears easily with no stretching, and is not shiny, it is paper. If you are not sure please put it in your black bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin

    Cardboard butter or fat boxes (e.g. Lurpak butterbox, Trex) have a thin layer of plastic but if wiped completely clean these can be put in the blue bin for recycling.

    It is very important that no fat or grease remains on them, so if they can not be cleaned please put them in the black bin.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Most butter wrappers are made from a mixture of paper, plastic and aluminium. They are not suitable for recycling or composting.

Cakes and pastries
Cakes and pastries Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Freeze before or on the use-by date, or see Love Food Hate Waste's website for ideas on using up.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Cameras
Cameras Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

    Some camera lenses and darkroom equipment can be taken to Campkins Camera Exchange.

    Outdated cameras could make a good first camera for children.

    Broken cameras may be repairable, search online for repair services.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Broken or outdated electronic cameras can be recycled with electricals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Candles
Candles Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If you do not wish to add to landfill, you can re-use your old candles.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Car / motorcycle battery
Car / motorcycle battery Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Car parts
Car parts Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Never put car parts in your kerbside bins. This can damage recycling and waste sorting equipment.

    Car parts (including batteries but excluding tyres) from your own DIY work can be taken to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Cardboard
Cardboard Blue bin Green bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    Wet or very dirty cardboard (e.g. greasy takeaway box) should not be put in your blue bin, but can be added to your green bin to be composted. Please ensure the cardboard has no plastic coating - this is often the case with food packaging e.g. fish finger box.

Cardboard egg boxes / cartons
Cardboard egg boxes / cartons Re-use Blue bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    They biodegrade and can be used for sowing seeds or childrens craft projects. Also suitable for home composting.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Carpet
Carpet Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Old carpets will only be accepted if you have removed them yourself. If you are having a carpet fitted professionally the company should remove the old one for you. If you have large quantities of carpet check with the HRC first as they may not accept large amounts.

Cartons like Tetra Pak
Cartons like Tetra Pak Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Rinse, squash and replace the caps on your cartons before putting in your blue bin. If you save the ring-pull from the spout you can also insert that back in before you replace the cap so it can be recycled too - separately this would just get lost in the sorting plant.

    Cartons are made from layers of plastic, aluminium and card. They are not waxed card and are not biodegradable, but can be recycled into low-grade paper products. 

Cat litter
Cat litter Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please bag securely and put in black bin. Loose cat litter can be hazardous to our crews when emptying the bin.

    Do not put cat litter (even if it's marked biodegradable) in your green bin as it can be hazardous during processing.

Catalogues and directories
Catalogues and directories Reduce waste Blue bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Prevent waste by notifying companies if you no longer wish to receive catalogues from them. You can also sign up to the Mailing Preference Service.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Please remove catalogues from plastic sleeves before recycling. The sleeves can be put in your blue bin separately.

Ceramics, crockery and china
Ceramics, crockery and china Re-use Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    If you save up broken crockery until you are visiting a Household Recycling Centre it can be put in the hardcore skip. 

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Never put crockery into a glass bottle bank or your blue bin. It is very damaging in the glass recycling process.

Cereal boxes
Cereal boxes Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    All cardboard can be put in the blue bin.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Cereal packet plastic inner liner
Cereal packet plastic inner liner Reduce waste Re-use Specialist recycling Blue bin
  • Reduce waste

    You can find some breakfast cereals sold loose (take your own containers) at refill shops. Find local refill shops.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    Cereal packets can be re-used as sandwich or snack bags, reducing the need to buy new plastic sandwich bags.

  • Specialist recycling

    These can now be recycled at some shops which accept soft plastic packaging in their in-store recycling bins. You can find local soft plastic recycling locations at Recycle Now.

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clean plastic bags and wrapping from items such as cereals, bread and salad can be put in your blue bin.

    Due to changes in demand for soft plastic materials it is not always possible to recycle the plastics we collect in this way. When this is the case the plastics are used to generate energy instead.

     

Charity collection bags
Charity collection bags Reduce waste Re-use Blue bin
  • Reduce waste

    If you receive a lot of unwanted charity collection bags, consider putting a notice on your letterbox requesting that they not be delivered.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    Re-use unwanted collection bags as bin liners, for litter picking, cleaning out small pets, or storage. If you can't make use of them, offer them to someone else who can via local Facebook 'freebies' or 'life is a gift' community groups.

  • Blue bin

    If you can't find a use for charity collection bags, they can be put in the blue recycling bin.

Chemicals - white spirit, wood stain, paint, turpentine and garden chemicals
Chemicals - white spirit, wood stain, paint, turpentine and garden chemicals Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Dispose of at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. Check with site staff where to take them. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Chewing gum
Chewing gum Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Did you know chewing gum contains plastic? It's therefore not food waste, and must go in the black bin. Chewsy is an example of a chewing gum which does not contain plastic.

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Chocolate and confectionery wrappers
Chocolate and confectionery wrappers Blue bin Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Paper, foil, or plain plastic (without a shiny foil layer) wrappers can be put in your blue bin. Please save up small pieces of foil and scrunch into a larger ball to aid recycling.

     

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    Plastic chocolate wrappers and chocolate or sweet pouches with a shiny foil-like layer on the inside or outside can’t be put in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled at some shops in their soft plastic recycling bins. You can find local soft plastic recycling locations on Recycle Now.

    You can also recycle with Terracycle's Confectionery Recycling Programme.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Plastic chocolate wrappers and chocolate or sweet pouches with a shiny foil-like layer on the inside or outside can’t be put in your blue bin, so if you can’t drop them off at a collection point please put them in your black bin.

Christmas crackers
Christmas crackers Reduce waste Blue bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Choose reusable crackers. You can find cardboard and fabric reusable crackers online, with or without snaps (a great option if you have nervous pets). You can add your own reusable fabric party hats, a joke, chocolate coins or a small gift chosen for each person.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin

    Unembellished cardboard cracker parts can be put in your blue bin. No metallic card, glitter, ribbons or wire decorations.

  • Black bin

    Ribbons, glittery, metallic or plastic parts from crackers can not be recycled, and can cause problems in the recycling process for the card parts.

    Any unwanted gifts from inside which are not suitable to re-use or donate to charity.

    Tissue paper hats can not be recycled, but can be composted in the green bin.

Christmas decorations
Christmas decorations Reduce waste Re-use Green bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Think carefully before buying decorations. Do you need more? Can you store it? Will it last a long time? Can it be repaired or recycled at the end of its life? Will you love it forever or does it just fit in with this year's fad? 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    Pass on any unwanted decorations in good condition to others via Facebook, Freegle, Gumtree or Freecycle, or donate to charity shops (preferably just before Christmas, so they can be sold on quickly).

  • Green bin

    Natural decorations like holly, mistletoe and poinsettias (without the pot) can be put in the green bin. Remove ribbons from natural wreaths and check for florists wire. Paper chains can be composted if they are not glittery or metallic (the paper parts are too small to be sorted for recycling correctly).

  • Black bin

    Tinsel, baubles and other plastic decorations can not be recycled.

    Wreaths or other natural decorations containing florists wire, ribbons or other plastic or metal embellishments that are hard to remove should be put in the black bin.

Christmas tree (fake plastic)
Christmas tree (fake plastic) Re-use Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Dismantle so that the bin lid closes properly.

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Christmas tree (real)
Christmas tree (real) Specialist recycling Green bin Household recycling centres
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    The Arthur Rank Hospice Charity collects trees from households in our area for a small donation. Find out details on the ARHC Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme page.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Cut up and put pieces in the bin with the lid fully closed.

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Cigarette butts
Cigarette butts Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Cigarette filters contain plastic and should never be discarded on the ground; you could be fined for littering.

Cigarette packets
Cigarette packets Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Cardboard cigarette packets can be put in the blue bin for recycling, but please separate the foil inner and the plastic outer wrap first.

    Amazingly, cigarette waste itself can be recycled too. Find out more about Terracycle's waste recycle scheme. Please don't put it in your blue bin though!

Cleaning spray bottles
Cleaning spray bottles Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Plastic spray bottles can be recycled along with all other plastic bottles in your blue bin. Leave the spray trigger attached.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Cling film
Cling film Reduce waste Blue bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Consider reducing or eliminating your use of cling film by using alternatives:

    • Put leftovers in the fridge in a bowl with a plate on top
    • Use a lunch box for sandwiches
    • Reuse plastic bags - for example, from loaves of bread for sandwiches, or you can put small bowls of food inside them in the fridge
    • Buy or make reusable cloth & wax food covers, or use shower caps!
  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clean cling film can be put in your blue bin.

    Due to changes in demand for soft plastic materials it is not always possible to recycle the plastic films we collect in this way. When this is the case the plastics are used to generate energy instead.

Clothing in good condition
Clothing in good condition Reduce waste Re-use Local recycling points
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Prevent clothing waste by:

    • Choosing better quality clothes that will last longer, when possible
    • Mending or restyling your clothes
    • Buy second-hand 

    Learn more about minimising the environmental impact of your clothes on the Love Your Clothes website.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Pass on wearable clothing to friends, family or neighbours, or donate to local charity shops. Give away clothes with the Olio app. Sell online with apps like Depop or Vinted or through eBay and Facebook. Attend a 'swish' or clothing swap event.

  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Never put clothing in your bins. Even worn out clothes can be recycled, via clothing banks at recycling points or Household Recycling Centres.

Coat hangers
Coat hangers Re-use Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check if they want them first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. Some supermarkets and clothing shops (for example, Tesco) have a collection point in-store for their own hangers, which can then be re-used.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Plastic coat hangers can be recycled with hard plastics at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), but any metal parts must be removed.

    Wire coat hangers can be recycled with scrap metals at HRCs. Wooden coat hangers (if metal parts are removed) can be recycled with wood at HRCs.

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If they are unsuitable for re-use and you are unable to get to a Household Recycling Centre, put your unwanted hangers in your black bin.

Coffee filters
Coffee filters Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    You can try avoiding coffee filter waste by using a reusable coffee filter made of metal mesh (make sure it’s compatible with your particular coffee maker). You could also experiment with a different method of brewing coffee that doesn’t require paper, like a cafetiere. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Paper coffee filters and coffee grounds can be put in your green bin. 

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Coffee grounds
Coffee grounds Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Add to your home compost bin, if you have one.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Coffee pods / capsules like Nespresso and Tassimo
Coffee pods / capsules like Nespresso and Tassimo Reduce waste Specialist recycling Green bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    More traditional ways of making coffee, like a cafetière or French press avoid waste, resulting in only coffee grounds which can be composted or added to your green bin. They're cheaper too!

    If you already have a coffee pod machine, you can find re-usable metal capsules online which you can refill and re-use.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    You can order Podback recycling bags and drop off your used coffee pods from a variety of brands at Collect+ locations. Find out more about the Podback coffee pod recycling service.

    Lavazza Eco Caps can be composted via Terracycle - see the Lavazza Eco Caps Composting Programme. Please do not put them in your green bin.

    Tassimo T DISCs, outer packaging, L'OR capsules, and Kenco Eco Refill packs can be recycled. Find out more on the Tassimo recycling page.

  • Green bin

    There are now some brands which offer compostable coffee capsules:

    • Those made from 'bagasse' sugar-cane fibre or wood pulp can be accepted in the green bin e.g. Halo
    • Those made from bio-plastic or PLA can not be put in the green bin.
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Plastic coffee pods or capsules are not recyclable in your blue bin. This is partly due to their size - small plastic items easily drop out of the sorting equipment used.

    To recycle foil capsules would require removing all of the coffee, rinsing and saving them up with other foil until you can make a tennis ball-sized ball, so in practice they are not readily recyclable.

    Compostable plastic, bio-plastic or PLA capsules should not be put in either your blue or green bin, and can only be disposed of in the black bin. These do not break down quickly enough for the composting process we use.

     

Coins
Coins Re-use
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Foreign and old money can be given to some charity shops.

    Including:

    • Cancer Research Shops (paper money only)
    • Oxfam Shops
    • Save the Children Fund
    • Sue Ryder
    • EACH (East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices)
Compostable 'plastic' bags, cups, cutlery or packaging
Compostable 'plastic' bags, cups, cutlery or packaging Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Keep a set of metal cutlery and a reusable coffee cup in your bag when out and about so you can refuse single-use items.

    If you are choosing cups or cutlery for an event, the best option is to use reusable items and wash them up (or use a glass hire or Party Kit service).

    The best disposable options are ordinary plastic cups, which can be recycled in mixed recycling bins; cheap plain paper plates without a design (more expensive or decorative ones have a plastic lamination) which can be composted, and wooden cutlery which can also be composted. You can find out more about planning for low-waste events in our Waste-Less Event Guide [PDF].

    Packaging can be avoided in some cases by buying products loose from local refill shops (for example, crisps). 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Compostable or biodegradable 'plastic' corn starch caddy liners (for example, BioBag), bio-plastic cups (or compostable paper cups, which have a layer of bio-plastic) and cutlery (for example, Vegware or Edenware), and other compostable plastic packaging (for example, Two Farmers crisp packets, Riverford salad bags and some magazine sleeves) cannot be accepted in the green bins, even if they are EN13432 certified or display the compostable seedling logo, as they do not compost quickly enough for our fast composting process. 

    These items will have the opportunity to break down to some extent when placed in the black bin, since all material undergoes biological processing before being landfilled.

    Please use only newspaper or 100% paper caddy liners for food waste in your green bin. You can also put food waste in your green bin loose.

    You can find out more about why bio-plastics are tricky to deal with from City to Sea.

Computer screen / monitor/ hard drive / CPU
Computer screen / monitor/ hard drive / CPU Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Contact Lenses and Packaging
Contact Lenses and Packaging Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle. You need to save up your soft lenses, blister packs and peel-off foil and drop them off at a collection point. For each set of contact lenses and packaging collected, Terracycle will donate to charity. 

    Find out more about the ACUVUE Contact Lens Recycle Programme.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Contact lenses and their packaging are not suitable for recycling in kerbside collections. Please put them in your black bin if you cannot take them to a Terracycle drop-off point.

Cooked food
Cooked food Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Try to reduce food waste by planning ahead. Make a meal plan, buy only what you need, and freeze things you can't use up before they go off (you can freeze right up to and on the use-by date).

    Check Love Food Hate Waste's website for more information and inspiration on wasting less food.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All food waste, including cooked, raw, dairy, meat and bones can be put in your green bin.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Cooker / oven
Cooker / oven Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they can accept first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Cooking oil
Cooking oil Compost at home Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    If you have a home compost heap or bin you can add small amounts of used vegetable or sunflower oil to it. 

    Kitchen paper with cooking oil on it can be put in your green bin (or home compost bin).

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Larger amounts of oil can be allowed to cool, poured into a bottle and take to a Household Recycling Centre where it can be poured into a recycling tank to generate energy. 

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If can't get to a Household Recycling Centre, allow to cool, pour into a plastic bottle, seal and put into your black bin.

Cork - plastic
Cork - plastic Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Synthetic/plastic corks need to be put into your main black bin.

Cork - real
Cork - real Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Real corks can be put onto your own compost heap.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    You can put real corks straight into the green bin.

Cotton wool pads
Cotton wool pads Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Washable make-up remover pads are available, which can be used repeatedly. 

    For babies, use washable baby wipes, which are like a small flannel which is used once and then washed.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Although cotton wool is technically compostable, some of the products it is used to remove are not suitable for composting. Some make-up remover pads may also contain plastic. Please dispose of in your black bin.

Crisp Packets
Crisp Packets Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled at some shops which accept soft plastic packaging, including crisp and snack packets, in their in-store recycling bins. You can find local soft plastic recycling locations at Recycle Now.

    You can also recycle with Terracycle in their Crisp Packet Recycling Scheme.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black Bin
    Black Bin

    Crisp packets can't be recycled via the blue bin so must be put in the black bin if you cannot drop them off at a specialist recycling point.

     

Crisp tubes like Pringles
Crisp tubes like Pringles Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    Crisp tubes can not be recycled in your blue bin, but Pringles tubes can be recycled via Terracycle. Find your nearest collection point for the Pringles Can Recycling Programme. Please note that other brands are not accepted.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you cannot take them to a Terracycle collection point, put crisp tubes in your black bin. 

    The plastic lid can be put in the blue bin but the tube itself is made of layers of plastic, foil and card and cannot be recycled. It is possible to remove the metal bottom of the tube with a tin opener, the metal can then be put in your blue bin. The remainder should be put in the black bin.

Disposable nappies
Disposable nappies Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Disposable nappies cannot be recycled. Consider using re-usable nappies - modern styles are easy to use and wash. Check out our quick-start guide to washable nappies and our Washable Nappy Discount Scheme with up to 15% off washable nappies and wipes from selected retailers.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP's website

Duvets, pillows and cushions
Duvets, pillows and cushions Specialist recycling Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    Dunelm accept clean duvets and pillows in their in-store Textile Take-Back Scheme, along with a wide range of other textiles including bath mats and curtains.

    The items are either re-used if suitable or recycled.

    Duvets and pillows are NOT accepted in ordinary textile banks.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    If you don't have space in your black bin, take to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Effervescent tablet tube
Effervescent tablet tube Blue bin
  • Blue bin

    Empty vitamin tubes can be recycled via your blue bin. Leave the cap on.

Egg shells
Egg shells Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Add to your home compost heap, if you have one.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Empty paint tins
Empty paint tins Household recycling centres
Envelopes
Envelopes Re-use Blue bin
  • Re-use

    Save un-torn envelopes and re-use them by sticking a label over the name/address and sealing with glue.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    You do not need to remove windows from envelopes, as they are sieved out during the pulping process.

Faeces - dog poo and cat poo
Faeces - dog poo and cat poo Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please bag securely and put in black bin. Loose cat litter or dog poo can be hazardous to our crews when emptying the bin.

    Do not put cat or dog faeces in your green bin as it can be hazardous during processing.

Fat
Fat Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Animal fat can be mixed with seeds to make bird feeders, you can find instructions on various websites, including the RSPB.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Avoid pouring down the drain – it can cause blockages and problems for wastewater treatment facilities. Find out more on Anglian Water's website. Allow fat to solidify and put in your green bin. You can buy devices called ‘fat traps’ to help with this, which are small biodegradable pads made from coconut fibre. You use them to soak up fat, which then solidifies, and the pad can be put in your green bin. 

Fire extinguisher (household only)
Fire extinguisher (household only) Household recycling centres
  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres (HRCs) accept small, household fire extinguishers only. More information about visiting HRCs can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Fish
Fish Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Check use-by dates and freeze fish if you are not going to be able to use it in time (check packaging to ensure it has not already been frozen). You can freeze up to and on the use-by date.

    Use up small amounts of fish in a kedgeree or other recipe - for inspiration see the Love Food Hate Waste website

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All cooked and uncooked food waste, including fish, meat and bones can be put in your green bin.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the soil improver is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Flexible plastic tube
Flexible plastic tube Specialist recycling Blue bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    Flexible plastic tubes from beauty or personal care products can be recycled for charity via the Terracycle Personal Care and Beauty Recycling Programme.

    See also toothpaste tubes.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clean, empty flexible plastic tubes that do not contain a metallic layer can be accepted in your blue bin. You can leave the lids on. This type of tube springs back after you squeeze it – those with a metallic layer, such as toothpaste, usually stay squashed when you squeeze them.

Fluorescent lighting tubes
Fluorescent lighting tubes Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

    Please note that business waste is not accepted at these sites.

Foil
Foil Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clean foil, including foil trays from takeaways or ready-meals can be put in your blue bin. If possible please save up small pieces of foil and scrunch into a tennis-ball sized ball before putting in the bin - this is because very small items can get lost throughout the sorting process, and this will help ensure they can be recycled effectively.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If foil is just too dirty to wash (burnt-on greasy food etc) it is not suitable for recycling. Please put it in the black bin.

Food waste
Food waste Reduce waste Home compost Green bin
  • Reduce waste

    We waste more food than we think. In UK households we waste 6.5 million tonnes of food every year, 4.5 million of which is edible (i.e. not onion skins, egg shells etc).

    • Check your cupboards and fridge, plan meals and make a list before you shop 
    • Hit pause on produce by freezing it before (or on) its use-by date 
    • Get creative in the kitchen to use up food which would otherwise be wasted – find recipes online 
    • Turn your fridge temperature down to below 5°C – keeping foods like milk fresher for longer 
    • Check out all the tips and advice at Love Food Hate Waste
  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Home compost
    Home compost

    Add raw vegetable peelings or fruit skins to your home compost heap along with garden waste, if you have one.

    Cooked food, meat and dairy produce should not be home composted without a specialist compost bin.

     

  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All food waste can be put in your green bin, including cooked, raw, meat, fish, bones and dairy.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Fridge or fridge freezer
Fridge or fridge freezer Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Most domestic fridges or freezers can be taken to Household Recycling Centres (HRCs). Fridges or freezers from businesses will not be accepted at HRCs, and nor will ammonia fridges from camper vans or boats which are not the place of residence.

    More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website. Please note that we are not able to collect oversize American-style fridge-freezers.

Fruit pits or stones
Fruit pits or stones Green bin
  • Green bin

    Fruit pits or stones can be added to a home compost bin, but they take an extremely long time to break down. Those put into the green bin will go through a shredder and high temperature process giving them a better chance, and will continue to break down slowly when the compost is in use.

Frying-pans/Saucepans
Frying-pans/Saucepans Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    These can be recycled with scrap metals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Furniture
Furniture Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, sell, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Garden strimmer
Garden strimmer Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they will accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    Small electrical items can be recycled at Curry's stores as part of their in-store electrical recycling scheme.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Garden waste
Garden waste Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Some garden waste can be added to your home compost bin or heap. For more information, go to Recycle Now's website.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    More information on how the soil improver is made from your garden and food waste can be found on RECAP’s website.You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Gas canisters and gas bottles
Gas canisters and gas bottles Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition sell or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Gift tags
Gift tags Reduce waste Green bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Do you need to use a gift tag? If you are seeing the person you a giving to, maybe not. For family members you could use reusable gift tags, and use them again next year, and for birthdays. You can have personalised ones made, or use chalkboard versions that wipe clean.

    Or you could write directly onto the wrapping!

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    Plain card tags, without ribbon ties, glitter or other embellishments, can be composted at home or added to your green bin.

  • Black bin

    Gift tags are too small to be sorted correctly along with other card. Paper items smaller than postcard size often drop through sorting machinery and conveyors, ending up with glass, where they then have to be removed. 

     

Glass bottles including medicine bottles
Glass bottles including medicine bottles Blue bin Household recycling centres
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    All colours of glass bottles and jars, including those from perfume and medicines, can be put in your blue bin. Please rinse and replace the caps on the bottles - this helps stop the small caps falling out of the sorting process. No need to remove spray pumps. They are separated from the glass when it is broken.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household Recycling Centres

    Household recycling centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Glass jars and lids
Glass jars and lids Blue bin Household recycling centres
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Rinse and replace the lid on the jar before putting in the blue bin.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household recycling centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Glasses - wine / tumblers
Glasses - wine / tumblers Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Donate it to a charity shop if not broken or chipped.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Broken wine glasses, tumblers or other glass drinking vessels should be carefully wrapped in newspaper or carrier bags, bagged and put in your black bin.

    Small fragments of broken bottles and jars should also be bagged and put in the black bin, unless they can be contained in another jar.

Grass cuttings
Grass cuttings Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Add to your home compost bin, if you have one. Grass cuttings are a great 'activator', helping your compost to heat up and rot down faster, but they need to be layered with other drier materials (for example, prunings, shredded paper) so that they don't go sludgy.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use BioBags or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and reduce the quality of the compost made. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Greaseproof paper
Greaseproof paper Re-use Green bin Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    You can wash and re-use ordinary greaseproof paper a couple of times before it needs to be replaced.

    Look out for reusable greaseproof paper (for example, Magic Non-Stick Liner), which you can cut to the shape of your favourite baking tins and then wash after each use. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Check whether your greaseproof paper has a silicone coating. If it does not you can add it to your home compost bin or your green bin.

  • Black bin

    If your greaseproof paper has a silicone coating, or if you are not sure, please put it in your black bin.

Greetings cards
Greetings cards Reduce waste Reuse Blue bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    When buying greetings cards avoid glitter and metallic elements, as these make the card unsuitable for recycling.

    Look out for cards which are not plastic-wrapped, many shops have a selection of these now.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Reuse

    The front of greetings cards are great for making gift tags, or for children's crafts.

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    All greetings cards that do not have glitter, metallic elements or other non-paper adornments can be recycled in your blue bin.

  • Black bin

    Tear off any parts of the card which have glitter, metallic elements or other non-paper adornments and put these in your black bin. These elements can cause problems in the paper recycling process.

Hair
Hair Home compost Black bin
  • Home compost

    Pet and human hair is technically compostable, but it does take a long time to break down. Don't include hair that has been treated with chemical flea treatments, and ensure you mix large quantities of hair with other materials.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Pet and human hair for disposal at the kerbside should be placed in your black bin.

Handbags
Handbags Re-use Local recycling points Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree or apps like Depop.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Put in a textile/clothing bank in various car parks around the district (for example, supermarkets). Find your local recycling points.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If it is unsuitable for re-use or recycling (e.g. it is mouldy, wet or soiled) put it in your black bin.

Hard board fruit punnet
Hard board fruit punnet Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    These hard MDF-type hard board punnets can not be recycled and are not suitable for green bins either. They can be useful as storage trays though – for example, to organise your fridge or cupboards.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you can't reuse these items, put them in your black bin.

Hearing aids
Hearing aids Specialist disposal
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Hearing aids are often collected for charity at a variety of places including:

    • Doctors surgeries
    • Hospital audiology departments
    • Private hearing specialists
    • Some charity shops - for example, Help the Aged and Age Concern
    • Organisations like The Lions Club

    Donated hearing aids are repaired, refurbished and sent overseas for re-use in developing countries. Batteries for hearing aids are also wanted.

Hedge trimmer
Hedge trimmer Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they will accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    Small electrical items can be recycled at Curry's stores as part of their in-store electrical recycling scheme.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Hedge trimmings
Hedge trimmings Green bin
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use BioBags or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and reduce the quality of the compost made. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Home textiles
Home textiles Re-use Local recycling points Specialist recycling Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check what they accept first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean and dry blankets, sheets, duvet covers, tea towels and other fabric homewares (even if worn out) can be put in textile and clothing banks in various locations around the district. For example, supermarket car parks.

    These textiles are accepted in all clothing banks, even those which are only marked 'clothes and shoes'.

    Find local recycling banks.

    Please note that duvets and pillows are not accepted in these banks.

  • Specialist recycling

    The Dunelm Textile Take-Back Scheme accepts a range of home textiles including tea towels, sheets, bath mats, table cloths and curtains.

    They also do accept duvets, pillows and cushions (which are not accepted at local recycling points).

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Soiled, mouldy or wet items not suitable for donation can be put in your black bin.

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

    Duvets and pillows will not be recycled, but blankets can be recycled with textiles.

Ice cream tubs
Ice cream tubs Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Ice cream tubs can be recycled along with all your other clean plastic pots, tubs and trays in your blue bin.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Inhalers
Inhalers Specialist disposal
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Please take to your local pharmacy. Some pharmacies are part of a specialist recycling scheme, those that are not will be able to safely dispose of them.

Instant porridge sachets
Instant porridge sachets Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Make your own instant porridge. Buy oats loose at a refill shop, or in a paper bag and measure out yourself - 1/2 a cup of oats to 1 cup of milk, and heat for 2 minutes in the microwave.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Instant porridge sachet which appear to be made of paper usually have a thin layer of plastic, in order to measure out the milk needed. This means they are not recyclable.

Ironing board
Ironing board Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Jewellery
Jewellery Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

     


  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please put these in your black bin.

Jiffy envelopes
Jiffy envelopes Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Keep and re-use, pass on to friends or family or offer on Freegle (those who sell things on internet auction sites will be glad of them!).

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These are usually a mixture of plastic and paper, or in the case of Amazon Prime envelopes a mixture of different plastics, and cannot be recycled.

Junk mail
Junk mail Reduce waste Blue bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    If you receive unsolicited addressed mail, you can opt out by using the Mailing Preference Service.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Jute or cloth bag
Jute or cloth bag Compost at home Black bin
  • Compost at home

    If you have a worn out jute or cotton shopping bag and you're confident it contains no plastic, you can add this to a home compost bin or heap. It will take many months to break down.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    If you do not have a home compost bin or heap put your worn out bag in your black bin. Clean cotton bags can be recycled with clothes in clothing collection banks. Fabrics and jute are not accepted in green bins as they can jam the shredding machinery and take too long to compost.

Keyboard - musical instrument
Keyboard - musical instrument Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    Small electrical items can be recycled at Curry's stores as part of their in-store electrical recycling scheme.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Recycle with electrical items at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Large electrical appliances
Large electrical appliances Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good working condition, donate to a charity - some will collect from you - or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Latex or rubber gloves
Latex or rubber gloves Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Lawn mower
Lawn mower Re-use Household recycling centres Specialist recycling
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check if they accept them first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

  • Specialist recycling

    Ride-on lawn mowers are vehicles and as such require end-of-life vehicle recycling. Search for vehicle scrap collectors online, ensuring that they have a valid Waste Carriers License.

Leaves
Leaves Compost at home Green bin
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Add to your home compost bin if you have one, or use to make leaf mould.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use BioBags or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and reduce the quality of the compost made. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Leftovers
Leftovers Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Love your leftovers! An average family of four could save £60 a month just by using up food before it goes to waste. Find lots of recipe inspiration and practical tips at Love Food Hate Waste

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All cooked and uncooked food waste can go in your green bin.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Lids
Lids Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Metal and plastic lids from jars and bottles can be put in your blue bin.

    Although it sounds counter-intuitive, ideally please rinse (and squash if plastic) your bottles and jars, then put the lids back on. Because lids are small, this helps them to go through the sorting process without getting lost, before being separated from the glass later on.

    You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Light bulbs
Light bulbs Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Compact energy-saving light bulbs (not long fluorescent tubes) and LED bulbs can be recycled at some recycling points in Cambridge including:

    • Sainsbury's on Coldham's Lane
    • Tesco on Newmarket Road
    • Waitrose, Hauxton Road

    or at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow, which can also accept long fluorescent tubes. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.  

    For fluorescent tubes from commercial premises, a company called Envirogreen recycles lamps. They charge for storage and collection. Visit Envirogreen's website.

    Energy-saving light bulbs (including fluorescent tubes) contain small amounts of mercury so care should be taken when disposing of them.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Halogen bulbs and traditional incandescent bulbs do not contain mercury like compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) and can be safely disposed of to landfill.

    They should never be placed in glass recycling or mixed recycling bins, as they are a different type of glass from bottles and jars.

Liquid soap dispenser bottle
Liquid soap dispenser bottle Reduce waste Re-use Blue bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    You can avoid the need to recycle liquid soap bottles by using solid bars of soap.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    Why not refill your liquid hand soap bottle? You can find a list of local refill shops in our Reducing Waste section.

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    The bottle from liquid soap can be placed in the blue bin.

    The dispenser pump must be removed, as this contains a small metal spring and is not currently recyclable via the blue bin. Please put the pump in the black bin.

Magazine wrapper
Magazine wrapper Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Ordinary polythene or cellophane plastic magazine wrappers can be recycled in your blue bin. Compostable 'plastic' wrappers can not be recycled.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Compostable 'plastic' magazine wrap (for example, made from corn starch) does not break down quickly enough in the fast composting process used for green bin material. Please put it in your black bin.

    Black bin materials go through a Mechanical Biological Treatment plant prior to being landfilled. You can read more about this processing on the RECAP website.

Magazines
Magazines Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Make-up packaging
Make-up packaging Blue bin Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Plastic bottles and pots, glass jars and cardboard boxes can all be rinsed out and recycled in your blue bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    TerraCycle® and Maybelline have partnered to create a free recycling programme for all brands of empty makeup packaging. This includes compacts, tubes, eyeliner pens, mascara wands, lipsticks, lip glosses and lip balms. Find out more about the Maybelline Makeup Recycling Programme.

    Most Boots stores also accept make-up packaging and other hard-to-recycle packaging (like toothpaste tubes or travel minis) from products they sell that cannot be collected in council recycling services in their Recycle at Boots scheme. You can scan the items and get Boots Advantage points.

    The John Lewis BeautyCycle scheme rewards My John Lewis members with £5 off beauty products when you take in 5 beauty empties (jars, tubes, bottles and make-up products) to recycle.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Flexible plastic tubes and flexible plastic / foil pouches can’t be recycled in your blue bin, so if you can’t drop them off at a collection point please put them in your black bin.

Margarine tubs
Margarine tubs Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Please rinse and put in the blue bin with all your other clean plastic pots, tubs and trays.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Mattress
Mattress Re-use Household recycling centres Specialist recycling
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (some, like British Heart Foundation, will collect clean mattresses with a valid fire label). Please note that some charities are not accepting mattresses during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alternatively pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

     

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Mattresses can be disposed of at the Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

    We also collect and dispose of bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

    Unfortunately we are unable to recycle mattresses through these services at present.

  • Specialist recycling

    If you are buying a new mattress, some retailers will take away your old one when they deliver the new one. This is the easiest way to get your mattress recycled.

    If this is not an option, you can pay for a specialist company to collect your mattress and recycle it. Search online for 'mattress recycling'.

Meat and bones - cooked
Meat and bones - cooked Green bin
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Meat or fruit tray soaker pad
Meat or fruit tray soaker pad Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please remove from the plastic tray and put in your black bin.

Medicines / drugs
Medicines / drugs Reduce waste Specialist disposal
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Prevent medicine waste and lower NHS costs by only ordering what you need. Find more tips at Medicine Waste UK.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Even if you never open them, once medicines have left the pharmacy, they cannot be recycled or used by anyone else.

    Take unused medicines to your pharmacy for safe disposal. Never dispose of your unused or unwanted medicines down the toilet.

Metal drink cans
Metal drink cans Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Please rinse and crush. Beer cans with widgets are accepted.

    Only household metal packaging materials (food tins, drinks cans, aerosol cans, biscuit tins, foil and foil trays e.g. from quiches or pies) can be accepted in the blue bins. Other metal items can damage the sorting machinery, so please keep these out. This includes items like frying pans, car parts, taps, coat hangers and furniture which would be classed as scrap metal.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Metal food tins
Metal food tins Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Only household metal packaging materials (food tins, drinks cans, aerosol cans, biscuit tins, foil and foil trays e.g. from quiches or pies) can be accepted in the blue bins. Other metal items can damage the sorting machinery, so please keep these out. This includes items like frying pans, car parts, taps, coat hangers and furniture which would be classed as scrap metal.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Microwaves
Microwaves Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Microwaves can be recycled along with other electricals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Mini-keg
Mini-keg Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Mini-kegs from beer, cider etc are recyclable, but should not be put into blue bins because their size can cause problems with sorting equipment designed for smaller cans and tins. 

    You can recycle mini-kegs with other metals at Household Recycling Centres.

Mirror glass
Mirror glass Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Mirror glass can not be recycled with container glass (bottles and jars). Small amounts can be put in your black bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Mobile phones
Mobile phones Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Various charities collect mobile phones, some in their shops and, if you have several, by post. Just search for 'recycle mobile phone for charity' online for details. You can gift your working smartphone to someone who needs one but cannot afford one through Community Calling.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Recycle with electricals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Mop
Mop Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Please ensure your bin lid closes fully.

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page. Please note that bin lids must be properly closed.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household recycling centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Motor oil / engine oil
Motor oil / engine oil Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Contact a local garage or take to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

    Never pour used engine oil down the drain. It will cause pollution and it is also an offence. Engine oil is classed as a hazardous waste and must be disposed of properly. If you spill engine oil, use sand or earth to absorb it – never hose it down.

    Avoid mixing used engine oil with other materials as this makes it difficult to separate and recycle.

Musical instruments
Musical instruments Re-use
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Used orchestral instruments – strings, woodwind, brass and percussion can be donated to children via Sistema England. Otherwise, if in good condition, ask if your local school would like it, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

Nail varnish
Nail varnish Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    It is difficult to remove the varnish and the bottles are too small to be captured during the recycling process.

Newspapers
Newspapers Re-use Blue bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Newspaper can be used for wrapping food waste to go in your green bin, and for lining a kitchen caddy if you have one. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Nutshells
Nutshells Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use

    If you have an open fire or woodburner, nutshells can be used as part of your kindling.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    Nutshells can be put in a home compost bin, but they take an extremely long time to break down. When added to the green bin they pass through a shredder and a high temperature process, giving them a better chance. They will also continue to slowly break down while the compost is in use.

Packing chips
Packing chips Compost at home Black bin
  • Compost at home

    Dissolvable or compostable packing chips can be added to a home compost bin. Make sure they are not polystyrene first!

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Please bag, tie the bag and put in your black bin, to prevent litter when the bin is emptied.

    Some packing chips are now made from biodegradable or dissolvable materials, but these are not accepted in the green bin. Black bin materials go through a biological process to break down any compostable elements.

Paint
Paint Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Never put paint in your household bins - the tins will get crushed in the bin lorry and the paint will leak out onto the roads. Take tins of paint to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

    Paint is sorted and distributed to charities, community groups or individuals who need it by the Community RePaint scheme.

    Community RePaint is a scheme run by the Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network (CCORRN) that sorts unwanted leftover paint and makes it available to charities, community groups, schools, organisations and individuals at low cost.

Paper
Paper Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Paper towels / kitchen roll
Paper towels / kitchen roll Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste

    Reduce waste by using washable cloths for cleaning up spills.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Paper towels or kitchen roll (but not wet wipes) can be put in your green bin. Please do not put them in your blue bin as the paper is low quality and not suitable for recycling, as well as usually being wet or dirty.

Paper cups / coffee cups
Paper cups / coffee cups Reduce waste Specialist disposal Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    If you regularly buy coffee when on your way to work or out and about, buy a reusable cup to take with you. There are lots of options from metal and ceramic to lightweight bamboo ones, some of which may be available at the coffee shop itself. Some coffee chains even give a discount if you take your own cup!

    If you are buying disposable cups for a party, consider using reusable plastic ones. If washing up or storage is an issue, choose disposable plastic cups, which can be recycled in the blue bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    You can take single-use coffee cups back to some branches of Costa for recycling, even if they are not from Costa.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Paper cups, even those with a recycle mark, are not easily recyclable unless collected as part of a dedicated scheme (see above) and can not be put in the blue bin.

    Compostable paper cups (e.g. Vegware, Edenware) have a layer of compostable 'plastic' which makes them unsuitable for putting in the green bin. Compostable plastic can take up to 12 weeks to break down, and the process we use takes 6-8 weeks. Compostable cups put into the black bin will have a chance to break down during the biological process they are put through before landfilling.

Parcel strapping
Parcel strapping Black bin
  • Black bin

    Plastic parcel strapping is not suitable for recycling at the kerbside. In fact, it can cause serious problems in the sorting facility, where it becomes tangled around machinery. Machines have to be shut off so that it can be cut free.

Peel-off coffee lid
Peel-off coffee lid Black bin
  • Black bin

    Peel off lids on jars tend to be made of a mixture of materials, such as plastic and foil or plastic and paper, and are therefore not recyclable.

Pens and correction fluid pots like Tip-Ex
Pens and correction fluid pots like Tip-Ex Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    It is possible to recycle pens (including highlighters, markers and correction fluid pots) via Terracycle collection points at some schools and stationers. Wooden pencils and crayons are not accepted. Find out more about the Writing Instruments Recycling Programme on the Terracycle website.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Pet food pouches
Pet food pouches Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    Many Co-op and Tesco supermarkets now accept soft plastic packaging, including clean pet food pouches, in their in-store recycling bins. You can find soft plastic packaging recycling locations at Recycle Now. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These type of pouches are made from layers of plastic and aluminium which are very difficult to separate out, and therefore they can not be recycled at the moment. Please put in the black bin.

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Photos / photographs
Photos / photographs Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Photos are made from various different kinds of plastic or coated paper, and can not be recycled.

Pizza box
Pizza box Blue bin Green bin Black bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    It's important that cardboard for recycling is fairly clean and dry. Remove any food, and tear off any parts which look greasy (the greasy cardboard can be put in your green bin for composting).

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Please put any cheesy or greasy parts of your pizza box in your green bin.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you do not have a green bin and your pizza box has a lot of grease or food on it, it's best to put it in your black bin rather than your blue bin.

Plastic air fresheners and air freshener cartridges
Plastic air fresheners and air freshener cartridges Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle. You need to save up your air fresheners and drop them off at a collection point.

    Find out more about the Air, Home and Laundry Care Recycling Programme.

     

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, so if you can’t drop them off at a collection point please put them in your black bin.

Plastic bags / carrier bags
Plastic bags / carrier bags Reduce waste Re-use Blue bin
  • Reduce waste

    Keep a few reusable cloth bags in handy places like your handbag, coat pocket, car, bike bag etc so you always have one when you need it.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If you don't have a use for plastic bags yourself, some charity shops and small independent shops will be grateful for them.

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Put empty bags in your blue bin. Please do not use bags to contain other items - it means we can't see the items inside properly to check they are accepted, and we may not empty your bin.

    Never put plastic bags in your green bin.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Plastic bottles and tops
Plastic bottles and tops Blue bin Reduce waste
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Put in your blue bin. Includes drink, shampoo and detergent bottles. Please rinse, squash and put lids back on. 

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Reduce waste

    Look at what you are buying in plastic bottles and consider alternatives that reduce the number of new plastic bottles you buy.

    • Instead of bottled still water could you use a water filter? (Check out our entry on water filters for the lowest-waste options!)
    • Instead of sparkling water or fizzy drinks how about a SodaStream?
    • Instead of liquid cleaning products could you buy dilutable tablets, concentrates or refills? (Check out local refill shops here)
    • Instead of shampoo and shower gel try refills or solid bars
Plastic bottles from chemicals like anti freeze
Plastic bottles from chemicals like anti freeze Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Empty plastic bottles which contained chemicals such as anti-freeze, motor oil or white spirit should not be recycled.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    If your bottles still contain chemicals, they can be disposed of at a Household Recycling Centre.

Plastic cutlery
Plastic cutlery Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Avoid disposable plastic cutlery by keeping a set of cutlery in your bag, or in your car glove box (don’t forget to wash it between uses and return it there!). For parties, choose finger-food, hire cutlery or buy extra from charity shops.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Only plastic packaging can be recycled in your blue bin.

Plastic dishwasher tablet tub
Plastic dishwasher tablet tub Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Recycle with other pots, tubs and trays in your blue bin.

Plastic egg boxes
Plastic egg boxes Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Plastic food trays / fruit punnets
Plastic food trays / fruit punnets Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clear and coloured plastic punnets from fruit or vegetables and food trays from ready meals can be recycled in your blue bin.

    Unfortunately sorting equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility where items from blue bins are sent cannot detect the colour black and therefore black plastic trays can not be recycled. This is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution. See more information about black plastic recyclability issue

Plastic fruit / veg net
Plastic fruit / veg net Reduce waste Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Avoid nets by buying fruit and vegetables loose.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    1500 Co-Operative food stores nationwide now accept soft plastic packaging, including fruit & veg nets, in their in-store recycling bins. You can find out if your local Co-Op is part of the scheme and more about what they accept on the Co-Op Soft Plastic Recycling page.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These cannot be recycled at present.

Plastic instant noodle pot (for example, Pot Noodle)
Plastic instant noodle pot (for example, Pot Noodle) Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Rinse and recycle with other pots, tubs and trays in your blue bin.

Plastic milk bottles
Plastic milk bottles Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Please make sure bottles are empty and rinsed out. Put loose in your bin, not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Plastic packaging
Plastic packaging Reduce waste Specialist recycling Blue bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Avoid unnecessary plastic packaging by:

    • Choosing loose produce where possible
    • Taking your own shopping and produce bags to the shops
    • Buying refills or refilling your own containers

    Check out our list of local refill shops.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    1500 Co-operative food stores nationwide now accept clean soft plastic packaging (also called flexible plastic, or plastic films and wrappers)  for recycling, including these items that we don't collect in the blue bin:

    • Plastic pouches – microwave rice, pre-cooked mussels, petfood, etc
    • Plastic fruit & veg nets
    • Plastic sauce sachets
    • Crisps, nuts & snack packets
    • Chocolate and sweets bags and wrappers
    • Biscuit wrappers
    • Tea and teabags, ground coffee etc packets
    • Pet-food wrappers

    Find out more and your nearest participating store on the Co-Op Soft Plastic Packaging recycling page.

    Other supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's also accept some soft plastics in their carrier bag recycling bins. Find out more at Recycle Now.

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Clean, empty plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, bags and film/wrap can be put in your blue bin. If you are not sure if the item is plastic or is a mixture of e.g. plastic and paper, please put it in your black bin. Examples of acceptable items include:

    • yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and fruit punnets
    • trays from meat, vegetables or ready meals
    • shampoo, fizzy drink, milk or cleaning spray bottles
    • thin moulded plastic packaging from Easter eggs, toy packaging, packs of batteries etc

    The following plastic films are accepted and will be recycled when markets are available:

    General

    • thin plastic peel-off lids of all types
    • plastic kitchen towel, toilet roll, nappy pack, cotton wool, magazine wrappers
    • plastic fruit and veg bags and wrappers

    Bags

    • Ordinary carrier bags
    • Bread bags
    • Multipack crisps outer bags
    • Bags from:
      • Cereal and porridge
      • Dried goods – dried fruit, pasta, rice, sugar, pulses, etc
      • Frozen foods and ice cubes

    Wrappers and Film

    • Cling film
    • Pizza wrapping film
    • Bread product wrappers:
      • Croissants
      • Pancakes
      • Naan bread
      • Pitta bread
      • Fresh pasta
    • Wrappers from:
      • Cheese, pastry, cakes
      • baby wipes, etc
    • Flower wrappers

    Due to market fluctuations it is not always possible to find recycling outlets for plastic films collected in the blue bins. Under these circumstances they will be used to generate energy instead.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Very dirty items and those with food left inside should either be cleaned before recycling or put in the black bin.

    Some examples of plastic packaging that can not be recycled in the blue bin include:

    • CD and DVD cases
    • shiny metallic plastic pouches from pet food, coffee or drinks (can be taken to participating Co-Op stores)
    • crisp packets with a shiny foil coating on the inside (can be taken to participating Co-Op stores)
    • polystyrene foam cartons, for example, from takeaways
    • moulded, protective polystyrene - for example, from a new TV
    • foam or sponge packaging, for example from a new computer
    • multi-material wrappers, a mix of paper and plastic or paper and foil, for example some cheese wrappers or peel off lids on coffee jars.
Plastic peel-off lid
Plastic peel-off lid Specialist recycling
  • Specialist recycling

    Due to their size thin flexible peel-off plastic lids are less likely to be successfully sorted in the Materials Recycling Facility that blue bin materials are sent to.

    1500 Co-operative food stores nationwide now accept a wide range of clean soft plastic packaging, including peel-off lids from yoghurt, cream etc. Find out more about the Co-op Soft Plastic Packaging recycling scheme.

Plastic plant pots
Plastic plant pots Re-use Blue bin Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Pass on to friends or family, give away via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree, donate to local allotments or charity gardening projects (check if they need them first), or take back to garden centres which have a collection/pick-up area for them.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin

    Smaller plastic plant pots (smaller than about the size of an A3 piece of paper) which are not black can be recycled via your blue bin if they are clean. Rinse off soil or compost.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Larger (more than 5 inches in diameter) brown and coloured plant pots which are clean and empty can be recycled with rigid plastics at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Very dirty pots and all black pots are not recyclable, please put in your black bin.

    Unfortunately, recycling sorting equipment cannot detect the colour black and therefore black plastic items can not be recycled. This is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution to reduce black plastic recyclability issues.

Plastic sweetener or Tic Tac box
Plastic sweetener or Tic Tac box Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    These can be recycled with other plastic pots and tubs in your blue bin.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Plastic washing-up bowls
Plastic washing-up bowls Re-use Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Broken ones can be recycled with hard plastic items at the Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If you can't get to a Household Recycling Centre, you can put it in your black bin. They can not be recycled in your blue bin.

Polystyrene foam meat tray
Polystyrene foam meat tray Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Some retailers are moving away from polystyrene meat trays, so try to seek out recyclable plastic trays where possible. If not, polystyrene trays should go in the black bin.

Polystyrene packaging
Polystyrene packaging Black bin
  • Black bin

    Please put polystyrene in your black bin. Bag any broken pieces to avoid them blowing out when the bin is emptied and causing litter.

Polystyrene takeaway food packaging
Polystyrene takeaway food packaging Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Post-it Notes
Post-it Notes Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Due to their sticky strip Post-It notes tend to get stuck onto other items and sorted incorrectly. Their size also makes them difficult to sort, and they usually end up contaminating the sorted glass. Please put them in the black bin.

Postage stamps
Postage stamps Re-use
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Give them to charity - ask your local charity shop or call a national charity to see if you can post to them.

    Many charities collect postage stamps, where they can be sold in bulk. Cut around postage stamps and leave a good margin, do not steam off.

Postcards
Postcards Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

PPE (personal protective equipment)
PPE (personal protective equipment) Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Washable fabric face masks, and even gloves, can be washed and re-used over and over again. You can buy them online, or make your own using instructions online.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    All medical waste and disposable PPE (such as face masks and gloves) should be disposed of using your black bin, or a litter bin if outside. If there are no litter bins outside, take the waste home.

    If you are suffering from Coronavirus symptoms, any medical waste and PPE should be bagged separately and left for 72 hours (3 days) before going into your black bin.

Printer cartridges
Printer cartridges Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    You may be able to return your printer cartridges to a shop or manufacturer to be refilled. Some stationers, for example, Ryman do this, as well as the Smart Cartridge Shop in Cambridge (01223 464100).

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    There are many charities which collect used cartridges, or organisations that collect on their behalf. You can find details of all the options at Every Cartridge.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Printers
Printers Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition and not outdated, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Protective foam packaging
Protective foam packaging Black bin
  • Black bin

    Protective foam or sponge packing materials, such as those used to protect electronic goods in transit, can not be recycled in your household collections. Please put these in your black bin.

    If the materials have been marked as recyclable you may wish to contact the retailer and ask if they provide a scheme for recycling these, since they will not be recyclable in any council schemes in the UK.

Pull tab / safety seal - like milk bottle or tablet bottle seals
Pull tab / safety seal - like milk bottle or tablet bottle seals Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Pyrex crockery
Pyrex crockery Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Broken Pyrex should never be put in a recycling bin or bank with other glass. It has a very high melting point, and will cause other glass that is with it to be wasted and result in problems for the glass recycling facility.

Razors and razor blades
Razors and razor blades Reduce waste Specialist recycling Household recycling centre Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    More and more people are switching to traditional razors, which use a permanent metal handle with separate steel blades. The blades last a long time and can be recycled.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling

    TerraCycle® and Gillette® have partnered to offer free recycling envelopes for any brand of razors and razor blades.

    Each household can request 4 envelopes per year, and you can send a maximum of 16 razors and/or razor blades in each envelope. Get your razor recycling scheme envelopes.

  • Household recycling centre
    Household recycling centre

    You can put traditional flat steel razor blades into a steel food tin, pinch the tin and turn the top over using pliers to seal them in, and put in the scrap metal section at a Household Recycling Centre. Please do not put them in your blue bin – there is some hand-sorting of materials which could make this hazardous.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Wrap in paper or tissue, bag with other waste and put in your black bin.

Receipt
Receipt Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Due to their size, receipts are difficult to sort correctly and often end up contaminating the sorted glass. 

    Some thermal receipts also contain BPA plastic which is associated with health risks, and therefore should not be used in recycled paper products.

Reusable sanitary pads / menstrual cups
Reusable sanitary pads / menstrual cups Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Many different styles of washable pads are now available, as well as alternatives such as menstrual cups. Find out more at Plastic-Free Periods.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If your pads or cup have come to the end of their life, they need to be disposed of in the black bin.

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Ring binders
Ring binders Re-use Blue bin Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Cardboard type binders (not plastic-covered) can be dismantled by removing the metal rings. The cardboard part can then be put in the blue bin. The metal part can be taken with other scrap metals to a Household Recycling Centre, or put in the black bin.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Plastic or plastic-coated binders not suitable for re-use should be put in the black bin. Plastic or plastic-coated binders not suitable for re-use should be put in the black bin.

Rugs, mats and door mats
Rugs, mats and door mats Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to charity or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    If too dirty/damaged, large rugs should be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. Small mats can be put in your black bin.

Sandwich packet
Sandwich packet Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin

    Sandwich boxes can be recycled along with other cardboard packaging. Just remember to make sure that they are empty of food first. The plastic versions can also be recycled.

    Some boxes are designed so that the plastic lining and window can be removed before recycling. If it’s easy to remove it then you can do so. These should be put in your black bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    If your sandwich packet has a lot of mayonnaise or other food stuck on it, please put it in your black bin.

Period or incontinence pads / pantyliners / tampons
Period or incontinence pads / pantyliners / tampons Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Disposable period or incontinence pads, liners and tampons cannot be recycled and most contain plastic. Consider reusable alternatives - many different styles of washable pads and period pants are now available, as well as alternatives such as menstrual cups. There are also disposable options that do not contain plastic. Find out more about Plastic-Free Periods from from City to Sea.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Disposable period products should be wrapped or bagged and put in your black bin. Never flush them down the toilet as they cause blockages and can end up in the sea.

     

Sawdust / wood shaving pet bedding
Sawdust / wood shaving pet bedding Green bin
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Soiled sawdust or wood shavings from rabbit/guinea pig/hamster/gerbil cages can be put in your green bin. If you have large amounts please put in a paper bag, as the sawdust can blow out over the bin collectors when emptying the bin.

School uniform
School uniform Re-use Local recycling points
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    For branded items check whether your school has a uniform swap or sell scheme, or pass on to other parents through local Facebook groups or similar. Generic items can be donated to charity shops.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clothing (either in good condition or worn out) can be taken to clothing banks at recycling points around the district. Please tie in bags.

Scissors or knives
Scissors or knives Reduce waste Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    If your scissors or knives are blunt, you can find out how to sharpen scissors using everyday items.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    If your scissors or knives are entirely made of metal, you can recycle them with scrap metal at a Household Recycling Centre.

    Household recycling centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Wrap sharp items in newspaper in a separate bag before adding to your bagged general waste in your black bin.

Scooter
Scooter Re-use
  • Re-use

    Pass on out-grown scooters to friends, family or neighbours via sites like Facebook marketplace or Freecycle.

    ScooterAid is a scheme by Micro scooters to revamp and rehome used Micro Scooters with children in need across the UK. They can renovate Micro scooters that need replacement parts so they can be donated.

Scrap car
Scrap car Specialist disposal
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    An unwanted vehicle may be worth a small amount as scrap. See the local telephone directory for a list of scrap dealers. 

    Alternatively visit Give a Car, who can collect the car for free and recycle it with any proceeds donated to the charity of your choice.

    Abandoned vehicles can be taken away by us.

Scrap materials
Scrap materials Re-use Clothing bank
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Scrapstores gather useful scrap materials to pass on to schools and community groups - find your closest one at ReusefulUK. Otherwise, consider if it can be upcycled and used for another purpose at home, pass on to friends or family, give away or donate to charity. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Clothing bank

    Fabric scraps from sewing projects can be bagged and placed in clothing collection banks for recycling. They can be used as rag, furniture stuffing or have their fibres re-spun to make recycled fabric.

    Fabrics are accepted in all clothing banks, even those which are only marked 'clothes and shoes'.

Scrap metal
Scrap metal Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Only household metal packaging materials (food tins, drinks cans, aerosol cans, biscuit tins, foil and foil trays e.g. from quiches or pies) can be accepted in the blue bins. Other metal items can damage the sorting machinery, so please keep these out. This includes items like frying pans, car parts, taps, coat hangers, old nails or screws and furniture which would be classed as scrap metal.

    Scrap metals can be recycled at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Sealant tube
Sealant tube Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin

    Empty sealant tubes from DIY work can be put in the blue bin for recycling. 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Dispose of tubes which contain old sealant in your black bin. They cannot be recycled with the sealant inside.

Sellotape / sticky tape
Sellotape / sticky tape Reduce waste Re-use Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Consider using paper tape, available from plastic-free shops and online, which can be recycled or composted along with the paper or card it is stuck to after use.

    Washi tape is a decorative paper tape alternative - but check whether the centre it's wrapped around is plastic, as this can't be recycled!

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate spare rolls to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Although not recyclable itself, small amounts of sellotape do not need to be removed from paper or boxes before putting them in the blue bin. 

    Whole rolls of un-useable sellotape should be put in the black bin.

Sewing machine
Sewing machine Reduce waste Re-use Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Reduce waste

    Sewing machines can be repaired via local sewing-supplies shops, or at volunteer-run Repair Cafes.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Old treadle or hand-powered machines can be donated to Africa via Tools For Self Reliance - they can be taken to Mackays in Cambridge who act as a collection point, or you can contact them to find out if there are other volunteers collecting near you.

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. Treadle machines will usually be taken even if not working, as they can be re-purposed into chic furniture.

  • Specialist recycling

    You can recycle portable electrical sewing machines at Curry’s stores free of charge. Most other electrical retailers will take back your old electrical items for recycling on a like-for-like basis if you are buying a new item.

    Participating repair cafés have a small wheelie bin for recycling small electrical items. Check information for your next local event.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Broken electric sewing machines can be recycled with other electricals at Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

    We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Shellfish shells
Shellfish shells Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use

    Thinner shells like mussels can be crushed and used in the garden to deter slugs around vulnerable plants. Larger decorative shells can be used to edge flowerbeds etc. Scallop shells make a great soap dish!

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Shells are made of the mineral calcium carbonate. They are inorganic and will not compost, so should not be put in the green bin.

Shoes
Shoes Re-use Local recycling points Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Tie in bags to keep pairs together and put in clothing banks at recycling points around the district. Even worn out shoes can be accepted.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Clothing and shoes can be recycled at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Shredded paper
Shredded paper Blue bin Home compost
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Please put shredded paper in an old envelope or paper bag to prevent it blowing out when the bin is emptied and littering the street. Large quantities can be put in a transparent sack (available in supermarkets). 

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Home compost

    Small amounts of shredded paper can be added to your home compost bin.

Small electrical items
Small electrical items Reduce waste Re-use Local recycling points Specialist recycling Household recycling centres
  • Reduce waste

    When purchasing electrical items, choose brands which are durable and repairable, with spare parts available. Consider buying good quality second hand appliances on SecondHand or eBay or in local charity shops like British Heart Foundation or Emmaus.

    Before recycling broken gadgets, see if you can get them fixed.

    • Check out local repair shops for items like phones and computers.
    • Take small items to a local volunteer-run repair café – we are lucky to have a great network of these locally.
    • If you want to try repairing it yourself, get support at iFixit or check out repair videos on YouTube.
  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. Not all charity shops can accept electrical items as they have to be safety tested, so check before donating.

  • Local recycling points

    We have special pink recycling bins for small electrical items at the following locations in South Cambridgeshire:

    • Cambourne: Morrisons car park (near Just For Pets)
    • Melbourne: Village car park on the High Street
    • Bar Hill: Tesco car park
    • Fulbourn: Tesco car park

    Most small items which take batteries or have a plug or cable and will fit in the banks are accepted. If batteries are removable please recycle these separately (in shops or on top of your blue bin in a bag). In general items will fit in the banks if they are able to pass through an opening about the size of an A4 piece of paper.

    Please note that smoke detectors, light bulbs, e-cigarettes, batteries, paints, chemicals or aerosols are not accepted in these banks. 

    For more information see what to do with your old electricals.

  • Specialist recycling

    Small electrical items including wires, plugs and cables can be recycled at Curry's stores as part of their in-store electrical recycling scheme.

    You can find all locations for recycling small electrical items at www.recycleyourelectricals.org.uk 

    Most electrical retailers will take back your old appliances for recycling on a like-for-like basis if you are buying a new item.

  • Household Recycling Centres
    Household Recycling Centres

    All electrical items can be recycled at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our bulky collections page.

Smoke detectors / alarms
Smoke detectors / alarms Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household smoke detectors can be taken to Household Recycling Centres - please hand to a member of staff.

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Snack / nut / pretzel / popcorn packets
Snack / nut / pretzel / popcorn packets Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    Most Co-Operative Food stores and all large Tesco stores nationwide now accept soft plastic packaging, including snack, nut, pretzel, popcorn and crisp packets, in their in-store soft plastic recycling bins.

    You can find out if your local Co-Op is part of the scheme and more about what they accept on the Co-Op Soft Plastic Recycling page.

    You can also recycle snack packets through Terracycle's KP Snacks Nuts, Popcorn, Crisps and Pretzels Packet Recycling Programme

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, so if you can’t drop them off at a collection point please put them in your black bin.

Soil, stones and turf
Soil, stones and turf Household recycling centres
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Take to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

    Do not put in bins - it will make them too heavy.

    Small amounts on roots of plants are acceptable in the green bin. Soil and stones are not compostable and larger amounts can cause problems in the composting process.

Spectacles / glasses
Spectacles / glasses Re-use
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Unwanted spectacles can be sent to other countries for re-use. Check with your local opticians and library as many have a collection point.

Sponge scourer / washing-up brush
Sponge scourer / washing-up brush Reduce waste Compost Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    There are now compostable alternatives to standard washing up sponges and scourers, made from natural materials like coconut fibre or loofah. You can find these in plastic-free shops or online.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Compost

    Natural scourers made from coconut fibre or loofah can be put in your home compost bin or your green bin for composting.

    Plastic-free sponges may be made from bio-plastics. You can add these to a home compost bin but please do not put them in your green wheelie bin as we do not accept any compostable plastics at this time. Compostable plastics require sustained high temperatures for an average of at least 12 weeks, and our composting process is shorter than this.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Most sponges are synthetic, especially those used in the kitchen. If you are not sure, please put it in the black bin.

    Plastic or wooden washing-up brushes can not be recycled. 

     

Stereo
Stereo Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they can accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Suitcases and bags
Suitcases and bags Re-use Local recycling points Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean worn-out bags can be put in textile banks at various supermarkets and car parks around the district.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Broken suitcases can be taken to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Tea bags and coffee grounds
Tea bags and coffee grounds Reduce waste Compost at home Green bin
  • Reduce waste
    Many tea bags contain plastic fibres or are sealed with plastic. Consider switching from tea bags to loose-leaf tea. You can brew in a teapot or use a metal strainer which sits in your cup, allowing you to tip the leaves into your compost.
    Look for plastic-free tea bags - those that are will state clearly on the box.
  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Compost at home

    Add plastic-free tea bags and coffee grounds to your home compost bin, if you have one.  If your tea bags contain plastic this will remain as a fine mesh in your finished compost, becoming visible when it rains after spreading it. If you are not sure, split the bags open to compost the tea leaves and put the bags in your black bin.

    You can find out more about composting on Recycle Now page.

  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use BioBags or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and reduce the quality of the compost made. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Tea or coffee packet
Tea or coffee packet Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled at some shops which accept soft plastic packaging in their in-store recycling bins. You can find local soft plastic recycling locations at Recycle Now.

     

     

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Tea and coffee packets are usually made from metallised plastic, and can not be recycled. You can do the scrunch test - foil will not spring back when scrunched, but plastic will.

Tealight case
Tealight case Blue bin Black bin
  • Blue bin

    Thin aluminium cases from tealights, which do not have any wax remaining in them, can be put in your blue bin for recycling.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Tealight cases still containing candles or wax should be put in your black bin. 

Telephone directories / phone book / Yellow Pages
Telephone directories / phone book / Yellow Pages Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Television
Television Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check first - some cannot take electrical items, and those that do will not take older models) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Old TVs can be recycled with other electrical items at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Thermometer (mercury)
Thermometer (mercury) Black bin
  • Black bin

    If you break a mercury thermometer you must not handle it without gloves. If it is indoors, immediately ventilate the room by opening windows and/or doors. Remove pets or children from the room.

    Using gloves, wrap the pieces well in newspaper or similar, bag them, tie the bag and dispose of it directly in your black bin.

     

     

Tiles
Tiles Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Leftover, unused tiles can be donated to some charity shops (please check with them first) or passed on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Broken or used tiles can be recycled with hardcore at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Tissue paper
Tissue paper Re-use Green bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Save and reuse any tissue paper. This can be for wrapping presents or putting some tissue paper in the top of a gift bag to hide the gifts.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Before putting your tissue paper in the green bin please make sure that any sellotape has been removed.

Tissues
Tissues Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste

    Using washable fabric handkerchiefs saves waste, and they are less likely than paper tissues to make your nose sore when you have a cold!

    It can be tricky to find handkerchiefs off-line, but larger department stores usually have them, or you can make your own from light cotton sheeting.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Tissues can go straight into your green bin.

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not use biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Toasters
Toasters Reduce waste Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Reduce waste

    When purchasing a toaster choose one which is repairable, with spare parts available.

    Check if there is a local Repair Cafe that can help you repair your broken toaster.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good clean working condition, donate to a charity shop (check they accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Recycle with electrical items at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Toothbrush / toothbrush heads
Toothbrush / toothbrush heads Reduce waste Re-use Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Bamboo or wood toothbrushes are available which are biodegradable. Usually the bristles are not - so when you are finished with your toothbrush you will need to snap off the head and put that in your black bin. Untreated wood or bamboo handles can be put in your green bin.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Re-use your toothbrush for cleaning shoes and getting in those hard to reach cleaning spots.

    A toothbrush with replaceable heads will also save waste as the handle can be re-used many times.

  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    Plastic toothbrushes can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle along with empty toothpaste tubes. You need to save them up and drop them off at a collection point. For every batch of items collected, Terracycle will donate to charity. 

    Find our more about the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme including local collection points.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Toothpaste tube (soft squeezy tube)
Toothpaste tube (soft squeezy tube) Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle along with plastic toothbrushes and replaceable heads from electric toothbrushes. You need to save them up and drop them off at a collection point. For every batch of items collected, Terracycle will donate to charity. 

    Find out more about the Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme including local collection points. All brands are accepted, not just Colgate.

    Toothpaste tubes are also accepted along with other hard-to-recycle beauty and personal care packaging at Boots stores in their Recycle at Boots scheme.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Toothpaste (pump)
Toothpaste (pump) Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Torch
Torch Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Recycle with electrical items at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

Towels
Towels Re-use Local recycling points Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop, Women's Aid or homeless shelter (check what they will accept first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

    If in clean but worn condition check if animal shelters would like them for pet bedding.

    Re-use worn out towels at home for wipes or rags. To make washable baby wipes cut old towels into squares and hem them to stop them fraying (ask a relative or friend if you don't sew!).

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean, dry towels in any condition can be put in textile banks at recycling points.

    Towels are accepted in all clothing banks, even those which are only marked 'clothes and shoes'.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Dirty, oily or wet towels can not be re-used or recycled.

Toys
Toys Re-use Household recycling centres Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, pass on to friends or family, donate to a charity shop (check they accept them first) or pass on via networks such as Facebook, Freegle or Gumtree or apps like YoungPlanet.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Some hard plastic toys can be recycled with hard plastics, and electronic toys can be recycled with electrical items at Household Recycling Centres. Large broken toys that can not fit in your black bin can be disposed of here too. 

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Treated wood / timber / plywood
Treated wood / timber / plywood Re-use Black bin Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Large useable pieces in good condition can be passed on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Small pieces of treated wood (for example, parts of varnished or stained furniture) can be put in your black bin. 

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Larger pieces which will not fit into your bin need to be taken to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

    Treated wood should not be put in your green bin.

Trigger spray
Trigger spray Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Leave triggers on your empty spray bottles and put them in your blue bin, these can be recycled along with bottle caps.

    Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put things in the bin loose and not in bags. This helps us process it. You can find out more about processing by visiting RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Tumble dryer
Tumble dryer Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity (check with them first - some are able to collect large items, for example, the British Heart Foundation) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Turkey carcass
Turkey carcass Reduce waste Green bin
  • Reduce waste

    Make turkey stock or broth. If you don't have time right away, put the carcass in a freezer bag, label it and freeze it for later.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin

    Once you have used your turkey carcass to make stock, broth or gravy, it can go in your green bin to be composted. Bones are mostly made of the protein collagen, so they are organic and will break down when shredded and composted at high temperatures.

Tyres
Tyres Re-use Specialist disposal
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Stacked car tyres can make useful planters for plants that need warmth; the black rubber absorbs the heat. This is not recommended for vegetables or edible plants. You can also make tyre swings and outdoor furniture - search online for ideas.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Car tyres can not be accepted for recycling or disposal by the Council. If you have tyres to dispose of, contact your local garage who may be able to take them for you either for free or for a small charge. Alternatively search for specialist tyre disposal services online.

Untreated wood and bark
Untreated wood and bark Re-use Green bin Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    You can burn untreated wood in a wood burner after seasoning for a year. If you have a lot of wood from a fallen tree for example, and don't have a wood burner, consider passing on via  Freegle or Gumtree.

    You could also make a wood pile in your garden as a wildlife habitat.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    Branches and pieces of bark up to the thickness of a broom handle can be accepted in the green bin. Larger pieces can be added if they are split first.

    Sawn timber is not suitable for composting as it may have been pressure treated or contain nails.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Large branches thicker than a broom handle can be taken to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Unwanted gifts
Unwanted gifts Reduce waste Re-use
  • Reduce waste

    21 million Brits (around half of us) will receive at least one unwanted gift this Christmas. Clothing, cosmetics and fragrances are the most likely gifts to be unwanted, so if you're not sure, perhaps avoid those.

    Have conversations with friends and family about gift-giving: 

    • maybe just do gifts for children, and not the grown-ups
    • for groups, try Secret Santa and ask everyone to include a hint of what they would like alongside their name
    • Ask! If you don't want to ask the person themselves, get help from a partner, parent or family member
    • Try gifting subscriptions to magazines, meal kits, music streaming services, coffee, veg boxes or animal adoptions
    • Try gifting experiences like ice skating, climbing walls, hot air balloon rides or visits to attractions
  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    If you can't return an unwanted gift, pass it on to a charity shop, regift it or sell it or give it away online via Facebook, Gumtree, Freegle or Freecycle. Don't put it in your bin!

Vacuum bags
Vacuum bags Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page

Vacuum cleaners
Vacuum cleaners Reduce waste Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Reduce waste

    Vacuum cleaners can often be repaired. First check it is properly emptied, and give it a thorough clean - that may be all it needs.

    See the Circular Cambridge Directory for a list of repairers, or try taking it to a Repair Cafe.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check if they accept electrical items first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Vacuum cleaners can be recycled with other electricals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Vaping equipment
Vaping equipment Reduce waste Blue bin Specialist recycling
  • Reduce waste

    Choose rechargeable and refillable tank and pod kits instead of disposables to reduce waste.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Blue bin

    You can rinse and recycle the plastic bottles from e-liquid in your blue bin along with other plastic bottles. Please do not put disposable vapes in any of your bins. They contain lithium-ion batteries which can easily ignite when damaged, causing costly and dangerous fires in bin lorries and at recycling centres.

  • Specialist recycling

    Removable batteries from reusable vapes can be recycled with other batteries by putting them in a small plastic bag and leaving it on top of any of your wheelie bins. You can also recycle batteries at most large shops.

    Mods or disposable units with built-in batteries can be recycled as Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at a Household Recycling Centre or taken back to vaping shops or electrical shops which have recycling schemes such as Curry's or John Lewis.

Vases
Vases Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Broken glass or ceramic vases can not be recycled (the glass may be a different type from container glass).

Vegetable peelings
Vegetable peelings Reduce waste Compost at home Green bin
  • Reduce waste

    Reduce waste by not peeling your veg when possible - just give it a scrub instead!

    If you do peel, try making potato-skin crisps or vegetable stock with the peelings.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Put in your home compost bin or heap, if you have one.

  • Green bin
    Green bin

    You can put things straight into the green bin. You can wrap food waste in newspaper or put it in a paper bag. Please do not biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch bags. These do not break down quickly enough and result in extra processing costs. Your bin could also be refused collection. More information on how the compost is made can be found on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Video, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and their cases
Video, cassettes, CDs, DVDs and their cases Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, pass them on - ask family and friends if they would like them, go online to give them away at sites like Freegle or Gumtree, and check locally - a community project near you may have a use for them.

    For more information and creative ideas visit Recycle Now website.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Video and audio cassettes, CDs, DVDs and their cases are not recyclable. If you can not find an alternative use for them they must be disposed of in your black bin.

Vinyl records
Vinyl records Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they are accepted first), sell or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree

    Made from PVC, vinyl records are often 're-purposed' into new stylish ornaments, wall art or tableware - so even scratched records may be wanted by somebody.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Vinyl records can not be recycled. If broken, put in your black bin.

Wallpaper
Wallpaper Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Unused surplus rolls of wallpaper can be donated to some charities (check first) and Scrapstores, or reuse at home for children's artwork on the back.

    You can also use suitably decorative wallpaper as wrapping paper.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Wallpaper not suitable for reuse should be put in the black bin.

Washable cloth nappy
Washable cloth nappy Re-use Local recycling points
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, pass on to friends or family or via networks such as Facebook, Freegle or Gumtree. You could also consider donating them to a cloth nappy library.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean and dry cloth nappies can be recycled in clothing/textile bank in various car parks (for example, supermarkets) around the district.

    Clean cloth nappies are accepted in all clothing banks, even those which are only marked 'clothes and shoes'.

     

Washing machine
Washing machine Re-use Household recycling centres
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Household recycling centres
    Household recycling centres

    Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. We also collect bulky goods for a fee. You can find out the costs and book a collection on our website.

Watches
Watches Re-use Black bin
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Repair, or if in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Water filters
Water filters Reduce waste Specialist recycling Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    Some kinds of water filters produce less waste than traditional plastic cartridges. Phox water filters can be refilled with sachets, or an activated Binchotan charcoal stick filter can be recharged, lasting up to six months.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Specialist recycling
    Specialist recycling

    Water filters cannot be recycled as part of your recycling collection scheme nor at household waste recycling centres. However, if you use a BRITA branded water filter you can recycle the used filters at most Argos and John Lewis stores where boxes are provided for the collection of used cartridges.

    To find your nearest participating store, visit the BRITA website.

    For other water filter brands, please contact the manufacturer to find out if they provide a similar service. 

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Waxed paper
Waxed paper
Weeds
Weeds Compost at home Green bin Specialist disposal
  • Compost at home
    Compost at home

    Most weeds can be added to your home compost bin if you have one. However, avoid adding those which have seeded, as well as pernicious weeds like ground elder or bindweed, which will survive the low temperatures in your heap and will then be spread around your garden when you use the compost. For more home composting tips visit Garden Organic.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Green bin
    Green bin

    All weeds except the particularly pernicious Japanese Knotweed and Hemlock can be safely put in your green bin. The high temperatures the compost reaches during the municipal composting process will kill off any seeds.

  • Specialist disposal
    Specialist disposal

    Follow government advice for disposing of Japanese Knotweed.

Wipes
Wipes Reduce waste Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Consider using washable alternatives. You can make your own washable baby wipes from old towels or t-shirts or buy various brands which are easy to use (and more effective than disposables). Find out more in this Beginner's Guide to Reusable Baby Wipes from Sustainable(ish). If you decide to buy, you can get up to 15% off the cost from selected retailers with our Washable Nappy Discount Scheme.

    You can use a spray cleaner and cotton dishcloths that can be washed and reused for most other applications.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Most wet wipes contain a mix of paper and plastic fibres so are not recyclable, compostable or flushable (even the vast majority of those which are marked 'flushable' - this just means they will not block your toilet).

    Compostable wipes made of viscose or compostable plastics are not accepted in the green bin, as they may not break down quickly enough for our fast composting process, and can also not be differentiated from other wipes. You should also not put any wipes with human waste on them in an ordinary home compost bin. 

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill, so any parts which are compostable will have the chance to decompose.

Wool packaging
Wool packaging Compost at home Black bin
  • Compost at home

    Wool packaging insulation such as from meat deliveries can be put in a home composter. It takes quite a long time to break down.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Black bin

    Wool insulation (or from jumpers) is not suitable for the green bin. This is partly because these kind of fibres can jam the shredding machinery used before composting, and also that wool can take several months to break down. The process used for green bin material takes 6-8 weeks.

Worn out clothes
Worn out clothes Reduce waste Re-use Local recycling points Household recycling centre Black bin
  • Reduce waste
    Reduce waste

    Have a go at repairing your clothes. It's easier than you may think, and many techniques (for example, Sashiko, a style of Japanese visible mending) are very fashionable. Find out more at Love Your Clothes.

    Get help repairing your clothes at a local Repair Cafe event.

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use

    You could cut up worn-out clothes to use as cloths, rags or patchwork, or make them into other items like bags or cushions.

  • Local recycling points
    Local recycling points

    Clean and dry worn out clothes are accepted in clothing banks at various recycling points around the district. 

    Clothes not suitable for re-use are turned into rags, which can be used for cleaning machinery in factories, used as stuffing in furniture, or even insulation.

    Clean, dry worn-out clothes are accepted in all clothing banks, even if this is not indicated on the banks themselves.

  • Household Recycling Centre

    All types of clean, dry textiles are accepted for recycling at the large Household Recycling Centres.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    If clothes are soiled or wet, please place them in your black bin.

Wrapping paper
Wrapping paper Reduce waste Re-use Blue bin Black bin
  • Reduce waste

    For members of your household, try wrapping in fabric or fabric bags with real ribbons, which can be used over and over again for years. The bonus is you don't need tape and no mess is created!

  • If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
  • Re-use
    Re-use

    Save undamaged wrapping paper and gift bags at birthdays and Christmas, and store to use again.

    You can also re-use other papers as wrapping, for example pages from an old road atlas, or decorative wallpaper.

     

  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Do the scrunch test - if your wrapping paper springs back rather than staying scrunched, it is probably made of metallised plastic, and can not be recycled.

    Heavily glittered paper should also not be recycled as the plastic glitter and glue cause problems with the recycling process.

    If the paper stays scrunched, and isn't glittery, it can be recycled in your blue bin.

  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Metallic, glittery or plastic gift-wrap that you cannot re-use needs to be placed in your black bin as it can not be recycled.

X-rays
X-rays Black bin
  • Black bin
    Black bin

    Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website. You can find out your bin collection days on our bin collection day page.

Yoghurt pot
Yoghurt pot Blue bin
  • Blue bin
    Blue bin

    Rinse out and recycle plastic yoghurt pots with other plastic packaging in your blue bin.