Bins - what goes in them

Your blue bin is for clean, dry paper and card. Please make sure the lid is fully closed on collection day. We cannot empty bins with open lids, extra bags or excess waste beside the bin. If you have more recycling than fits in your bin, you can take it to one of our household waste and recycling centres.

Paper you can recycle

You can put these items in your blue bin:

• newspapers and magazines
• leaflets, brochures and catalogues
• office paper, letters and unwanted mail
• phone directories
• envelopes, including those with glue or windows
• shredded paper
• wrapping paper and gift bags that are not foil, glittered or plastic‑coated
• paperback books (hardbacks are accepted, but we encourage you to donate them)

Paper you cannot recycle includes wallpaper, tissues, napkins, paper towels, nappies, laminated paper, padded envelopes, wet paper, textiles, and crisp or sweet wrappers.

Card you can recycle

You can put these items in your blue bin:

• cereal boxes
• brown corrugated packaging
• sleeves from ready meals
• toilet and kitchen roll tubes
• greeting cards and gift bags that are not foil, glittered or plastic‑coated
• cardboard egg boxes

Card you cannot recycle includes drinks and food cartons, wet cardboard, takeaway cups and pizza boxes if they have food or grease on them.

Items that must not go in your blue bin

Do not put plastic bags, plastic bottles or nappies in your blue bin. Stickers on the lid will remind you what to avoid.

If your bin has been tagged

If your blue bin has a tag, we will not empty it. You can read more on why your bin has been tagged.

What happens to my paper, card and cardboard?

Have you ever wondered what happens to the paper, card and cardboard you recycle from home? Watch the journey here and discover that recycling is anything but a waste of time!