Bin guide and instructions

Blue bins, bags & purple bins

We provide every household with a blue wheelie bin, as well as a blue bag (or purple bins that are on our hard to reach rounds) for items that can be recycled.

We collect and empty blue bins and bags every two weeks (on alternate weeks to your non recyclable/black bin waste).

For those homes with purple bins, your collection will alternate each fortnight. Your blue bin will be collected on one fortnight and your purple bin will be collected the following fortnight.

What to put in your blue bin

We can only accept the following clean items in your blue bin:

  • plastic containers, including margarine and ice cream tubs, yoghurt pots, bottles and plastic food trays etc.
  • aluminium foil, food trays or cans (foil that doesn't scrunch up can't be recycled)
  • glass bottles or jars and lids
  • aerosol cans and roll-ons

Please wash out empty containers before putting them in your bin.

What to put in your blue bag / purple bin

We can only accept the following clean items in your blue bin:

  • paper, including newspapers, magazines, telephone directories, wrapping paper (without foil/glitter) etc.
  • card, including flattened cardboard boxes, food sleeves, toilet and kitchen roll inners etc.
  • Shredded paper - this must be loose, or in an envelope or box if you are concerned about it blowing around. 

Please note:

  • Card and paper should only be added if it is clean.
  • Excess card and paper can be left to the side of the bag/bin on collection day and it will be taken. Please do not put it in a plastic bag. Please note any excess card should be broken down/folded down and tied/secured into bag size bundles for the crew. 
  • If any other items are found in your bag/bin, it will not be emptied.
  • The blue bag can be stored in the top of your blue bin to keep it safe and dry. 

Other waste

Please DO NOT put the following in your recycling bins/bags:

  • carrier bags
  • cartons, including juice, milk and soup - find out more about Tetrapaks
  • bin bags of any colour to bag up recycling*
  • general waste
  • food waste
  • nappies/sanitary products (clean or used)
  • pyrex
  • garden waste
  • animal bedding
  • polystyrene
  • rigid plastics such as garden furniture, toys, coat hangers etc
  • plant pots and garden trays
  • foil that doesn't stay together when scrunched up (such as crisp bags, tea/coffee packets and pet food pouches)
  • bubble wrap
  • textiles/fabric
  • mirrored glass
  • electricals and batteries (these should go to your local tip)
  • Wallpaper and wallpaper backing
  • Used tissues, kitchen roll or paper towels

*We have had substantial volumes of recycling rejected by our recycling partners because they contain filled plastic bin bags and it is not possible to see what is in them. If loads are rejected they are sent to landfill or to be incinerated, rather than being recycled. Please help us by putting recycling items into your blue bin loose.

Need an extra recycling bin or bag?

If your blue bin or bag is regularly overflowing, you can order a second blue bin for free. 

Order an additional blue bin

Changes to recycling

Find answers to queries we have had about recent changes to recycling.