What goes in which 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.

Disposable nappies cannot be recycled. Consider using re-usable nappies - modern styles are easy to use and wash.

Alternative options

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

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

Tissues are not suitable for recycling. Even if they were clean, the paper is too low-quality with fibres too short to be made into new paper. Tissues can go into your green bin to be composted.

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.

Sturdy cardboard boxes are often in demand for moving house. Pass them on to others via Facebook or Gumtree. Large sheets of cardboard can be used by gardeners along with mulch to kill grass or weeds when preparing new areas for planting.

Alternative options

All types of clean and dry cardboard are accepted in the blue bin. Please break down and flatten large boxes.

Small quantities of wet or very greasy cardboard or paper (for example, from fish and chips or pizza) can be put in your green bin to be composted. If it is put in the blue bin it will break up and stick to other items, and will not be recycled.

Do not put cardboard suitable for recycling via the blue bin in your green bin. If you do not have enough space in your blue bin, find out what to do with extra recycling.

Laminated cardboard for example, sandwich packets contains plastic. This can be put in your blue bin if it is clean, but if it has food on it it must go in your black bin as it is not suitable for composting.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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 bulky waste collection web page.

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

Alternative options

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 cause eye injuries for our bin collectors.

Ash from a mixture of wood and briquettes or coal should be put in the black bin.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

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. 

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

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

Alternative options

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.

Sturdy cardboard boxes are often in demand for moving house. Pass them on to others via Facebook or Gumtree. Large sheets of cardboard can be used by gardeners along with mulch to kill grass or weeds when preparing new areas for planting.

Alternative options

All types of clean and dry cardboard are accepted in the blue bin. Please break down and flatten large boxes.

Small quantities of wet or very greasy cardboard or paper (for example, from fish and chips or pizza) can be put in your green bin to be composted. If it is put in the blue bin it will break up and stick to other items, and will not be recycled.

Do not put cardboard suitable for recycling via the blue bin in your green bin. If you do not have enough space in your blue bin, find out what to do with extra recycling.

Laminated cardboard for example, sandwich packets contains plastic. This can be put in your blue bin if it is clean, but if it has food on it it must go in your black bin as it is not suitable for composting.

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? 

Alternative options

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).

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).

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.

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.

Alternative options

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

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

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. 

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

More traditional ways of making coffee, like a cafetière or French press avoid waste, and the energy required to transport, process and recycle pods, 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.

Alternative options

Cambridgeshire County Council now has Podback collection containers for coffee pods at all nine Household Recycling Centres in Cambridgeshire. Tip your pods into the containers loose, not in bags.

The coffee grounds, aluminium and plastic are separated and processed back into raw materials or compost in the UK.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

Real corks can be put onto your own compost heap.

Alternative options

You can put real corks straight into the green bin.

Keep a set of cutlery in your bag, or pack some if you're heading out for the day and planning to eat on-the-go.

If you need extra cutlery for a special event, pick up a few extras at a charity shop and donate back afterwards, or hire some. Check out Party Kit Network for hire of plates, cutlery etc for children's parties.

Alternative options

Disposable wooden cutlery can be put in your green bin for composting.

Single-use plastic cutlery is no longer sold in the UK, but if you still have some to dispose of it needs to go in your black bin as it is not recyclable. 'Compostable' plastic cutlery must also be put in the black bin as it is not suitable for our green bin composting process or for home composting.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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. 

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. 

Alternative options

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.

Not finished your chips? Did you know you can pop them in the fridge and re-heat them on a baking sheet in the oven the next day just like oven chips!

Chip shop paper is too greasy to recycle but it can be composted, along with any food scraps, in your green bin. Greasy paper-based or cardboard boxes from takeaway food can also be put in the green bin. 

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

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

If you have excess garden waste this can be taken to Household Recycling Centres, with the exception of Japanese Knotweed. Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. 

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!

Alternative options

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

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

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. 

Alternative options

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.

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

Reduce waste by using washable cloths for cleaning up spills.

Alternative options

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.

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).

Alternative options

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

Sawdust, shavings, newspaper, hay and straw from small pets can be added to a home compost bin or heap.

Alternative options

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

Before putting your tissue paper in the green bin please make sure that any sellotape has been removed.

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.

Alternative options

Tissues are not suitable for recycling. Even if they were clean, the paper is too low-quality with fibres too short to be made into new paper. Tissues can go into your green bin to be composted.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

Put in your home compost bin or heap, if you have one.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

Follow government advice for disposing of Japanese Knotweed.

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

Alternative options

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.

They biodegrade and can be used for sowing seeds or childrens craft projects. Local producers selling eggs at the garden gate may appreciate donated egg boxes, as well as Brownies, Cubs or other groups. 

Alternative options

Cardboard egg boxes can be composted at home, this works best if you tear them up.

Both cardboard and plastic egg boxes can be recycled via your blue bin.

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

Alternative options

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.

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).

Alternative options

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. 

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

Real corks can be put onto your own compost heap.

Alternative options

You can put real corks straight into the green bin.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

If you have excess garden waste this can be taken to Household Recycling Centres, with the exception of Japanese Knotweed. Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. 

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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

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.

Alternative options

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.

If opened carefully at one end, magazine wrappers can be re-used, for example for putting your batteries in for recycling on top of your bin lids, or as dog poo bags (check first for holes).

Alternative options

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

Compostable plastic magazine wrappers are not accepted in your green bin, but you can try putting them in a home composter or compost heap if you have one.

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

Sawdust, shavings, newspaper, hay and straw from small pets can be added to a home compost bin or heap.

Alternative options

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.

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). 

Alternative options

Small amounts of shredded paper can be added to your home compost bin.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

Put in your home compost bin or heap, if you have one.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

Follow government advice for disposing of Japanese Knotweed.

Wool packaging insulation such as from meat deliveries can be put in a home composter. It takes quite a long time to break down.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

Never put batteries inside any of your bins as they get damaged by the crusher inside the lorry and cause fires.

For households that have their own wheelie bins: 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. 

For flats with large shared bins: Please do not leave batteries on top of these bins. Please take batteries to 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.

E-bike batteries can be recycled at many bike shops - check with your local shop. Halfords accepts e-bike batteries for recycling free of charge, and some are registered with the Velorim scheme (which does charge).

Find your nearest Velorim Centre

Power tool batteries can be recycled at large shops which sell them, for example Screwfix.

Batteries of all kinds can be taken to Household Recycling Centres.

You can find locations for recycling batteries on the recycle your electricals website.

Larger batteries from e-bikes, e-scooters, mobility scooters, electric ride-on toys, 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 serious fires inside bin lorries and at the recycling sorting facility in our area recently (seven so far in 2024) due to being placed into bins incorrectly.

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

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

Alternative options

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.

Uses for inner tubes include support ties when planting trees and tree-friendly attachments for bird boxes. There are lots more crafty and creative ideas online, with some for tyres too.

Alternative options

Bicycle tyres, inner tubes and e-bike batteries can be taken to your local Velorim Centre for recycling. There is a small charge of £1 for tyres, 50p for inner tubes and £25 for batteries. E-bike batteries can also be recycled for free at 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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Usable bricks and topsoil can be offered on networks such as Facebook, Freegle or Gumtree.

Alternative options

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.

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. 

If in good condition, donate to a charity shop. Check that large items are accepted. Here are some charities which offer a local collection service for good quality items:

• British Heart Foundation
• Cambridge Re-use
• Emmaus

You can also pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree or on neighbourhood facebook pages.

Alternative options

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 Bulky Waste Collection page.

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.

For temporary or short-term uses, look for re-usable cable ties. These are exactly like disposable ones but they have a tab you can press down on to undo the tie instead of having to cut it.

Velcro cable ties are also available which are slightly different but may be more appropriate for some uses.

Alternative options

Metal cable ties are available, which can be recycled with scrap metal at Household Recycling Centres after use.

Plastic cable ties are made of nylon and are too small to be recycled effectively, they must be put in the black bin. Biodegradable cable ties are available – these should also be disposed of in the black bin.

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.

Alternative options

Cameras with a battery are classed as electronic equipment and can be recycled with other electricals in our collection banks, at some retailers and at Household Recycling Centres – see the listing for ‘Small electrical items’ for details and locations.

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. 

Never put batteries in your bins as they get damaged and cause fires.

Take the battery to one of the household recycling centres near Milton and Thriplow. E-bike batteries only can also be taken to Halfords for free disposal.

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.

Carpet or rugs, even if worn, may be useful to someone else, either to use in their home or perhaps in an outbuilding or for pets. Trying offering on local Facebook 'freebies' groups, Gumtree, Freecycle or Freegle.

Alternative options

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.

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 via our Bulky Waste web page.

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

Alternative options

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. 

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

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. 

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

Alternative options

Dismantle so that the bin lid closes properly.

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 bulky waste collection page.

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.

Alternative options

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

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

More traditional ways of making coffee, like a cafetière or French press avoid waste, and the energy required to transport, process and recycle pods, 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.

Alternative options

Cambridgeshire County Council now has Podback collection containers for coffee pods at all nine Household Recycling Centres in Cambridgeshire. Tip your pods into the containers loose, not in bags.

The coffee grounds, aluminium and plastic are separated and processed back into raw materials or compost in the UK.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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).

Alternative options

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. 

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

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.

Alternative options

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. 

If you don't have space in your black bin, take to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow for disposal. 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 via our bulky waste web page.

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

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

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.

If you are having a new fridge or fridge-freezer delivered there should be an option to pay for your old appliance to be taken away and recycled at the same time.

Alternative options

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.

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. 

Alternative options

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. 

If in good condition, donate to a charity shop. Check that large items are accepted. Here are some charities which offer a local collection service for good quality items:

• British Heart Foundation
• Cambridge Re-use
• Emmaus

You can also pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

Alternative options

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 bulky waste web page.

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

Alternative options

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.

If you have excess garden waste this can be taken to Household Recycling Centres, with the exception of Japanese Knotweed. Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. 

Large gas bottles can be refilled or swapped at gas suppliers, or passed on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. 

Alternative options

Both larger domestic gas bottles and small portable camping gas canisters can be taken to the Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.

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.

Alternative options

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 bulky waste collection web page.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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).

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

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 and are disposed of with general waste, but blankets can be recycled with textiles.

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

Alternative options

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

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.

Alternative options

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

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 bulky waste web page.

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

Alternative options

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 bulky waste web page.

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.

Alternative options

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.

Energy-saving light bulbs and LED bulbs can be recycled 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. Bulbs (not long fluorescent tubes) can also be recycled at some recycling points in Cambridge .

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.

Alternative options

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.

If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (some, like British Heart Foundation, will collect clean mattresses with a valid fire label). Alternatively pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

Alternative options

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 bulky waste web page.

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

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'.

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

Choose a new phone carefully. For example, a Fairphone is designed to last longer by allowing software upgrades and being repairable, with a replaceable battery.

When your provider offers you a phone upgrade, consider whether you really need it. You could keep your current handset on a cheaper contract.

There are lots of shops which offer repair services for mobile phones, and you can even order kits online with instructions to replace broken screens. Keep your phone going for longer.

Alternative options

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.

Recycle with small electricals at one of our pink banks, through a retailer take-back scheme or at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. You can find all locations at Recycle Your Electricals.

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.

Alternative options

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 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.

Nitrous oxide canisters from household use only can be taken to Household Recycling Centres. You will be asked to sign a disclaimer form when disposing of these items. Canisters from commercial use should be returned to suppliers.

Alternative options

If you have seen large nitrous oxide canisters dumped or littered please do not collect them yourself. Report this as a fly-tip so we can remove them.

If you are organising a litter-pick and want to know how to deal with canisters you might find please contact streets@scambs.gov.uk

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.

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

Alternative options

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

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.

Alternative options

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.

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. 

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.

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

Alternative options

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. 

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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 464 100).

Alternative options

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 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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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

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

Alternative options

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

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

Alternative options

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.

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

Only household metal packaging materials (food tins, drinks cans, aerosol cans, biscuit tins, foil and foil trays for example 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 via our bulky waste web page.

Sewing machines can be repaired via local sewing-supplies shops, or at volunteer-run Repair Cafes.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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 via our bulky waste web page.

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

Alternative options

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.

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. 

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.

Alternative options

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.

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 any of your wheelie bins 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.

Small electrical items like toasters, phones or hairdryer and including wires, plugs and cables can be recycled at in-store electrical recycling points at Curry's and B&Q stores. John Lewis also accepts very small electrical items less than 25cm on their longest side.

You can find all locations for recycling small electrical items on the recycle your electricals website. 

All large retailers of electrical appliances with over 400 square metres of retail space dedicated to electrical products must take back your old appliances for recycling on a like-for-like basis if you are buying a new item as part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, and accept all very small WEEE items as described above for John Lewis. If you buy a new item you have 28 days to take in your old equivalent item for recycling with a receipt.

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 via our bulky waste collection web page.

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. 

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.

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.

Alternative options

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 via our bulky waste web page.

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

Alternative options

Clean worn-out bags can be put in textile banks at various supermarkets and car parks around the district.

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 via our bulky waste web page.

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.

Alternative options

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 via our bulky waste page.

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, place in another sealed bag, take it to a Household Recycling Centre and hand it to site staff. Unbroken thermometers can also be handed to site staff.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

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.

Alternative options

There are toy collection banks at some 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 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.

Large useable pieces in good condition can be passed on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.

Alternative options

Small pieces of treated wood (for example, parts of varnished or stained furniture) can be put in your black bin. 

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

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.

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.

Vacuum cleaners can often be repaired. First check it is properly emptied, and give it a thorough clean including filters- that may be all it needs.

See the Circular Cambridge Directory for a list of repairers.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

Disposable vapes with built-in batteries can be taken back to shops which sell vapes, large supermarkets or electrical shops which have recycling schemes such as Curry's or John Lewis.

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.

You can find all locations accepting vapes for recycling on the recycle your electricals website.  

Alternative options

Disposable vapes with built-in batteries can be recycled as Waste Electrical or Electronic Equipment (WEEE) at a Household Recycling Centre.

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

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

You could cut up worn-out clothes to use as cloths, rags or patchwork, or make them into other items like bags or cushions.

All types of clean, dry textiles are accepted for recycling at the large Household Recycling Centres.

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.

If clothes are soiled or wet, please place them in your black bin.

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.

Alternative options

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'.

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

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.

Alternative options

Cameras with a battery are classed as electronic equipment and can be recycled with other electricals in our collection banks, at some retailers and at Household Recycling Centres – see the listing for ‘Small electrical items’ for details and locations.

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. 

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.

Alternative options

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.

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

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

Alternative options

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

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

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

Alternative options

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.

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).

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

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 and are disposed of with general waste, but blankets can be recycled with textiles.

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.

Alternative options

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

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.

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.

Alternative options

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

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

Alternative options

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'.

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

Alternative options

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.

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. 

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.

Alternative options

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.

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 any of your wheelie bins 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.

Small electrical items like toasters, phones or hairdryer and including wires, plugs and cables can be recycled at in-store electrical recycling points at Curry's and B&Q stores. John Lewis also accepts very small electrical items less than 25cm on their longest side.

You can find all locations for recycling small electrical items on the recycle your electricals website. 

All large retailers of electrical appliances with over 400 square metres of retail space dedicated to electrical products must take back your old appliances for recycling on a like-for-like basis if you are buying a new item as part of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, and accept all very small WEEE items as described above for John Lewis. If you buy a new item you have 28 days to take in your old equivalent item for recycling with a receipt.

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 via our bulky waste collection web page.

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

Alternative options

Clean worn-out bags can be put in textile banks at various supermarkets and car parks around the district.

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 via our bulky waste web page.

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!).

Alternative options

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'.

Dirty, oily or wet towels can not be re-used or recycled.

If in good condition, pass on to friends or family or via networks such as Facebook, Freegle or Gumtree.

Alternative options

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'.

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.

Alternative options

You could cut up worn-out clothes to use as cloths, rags or patchwork, or make them into other items like bags or cushions.

All types of clean, dry textiles are accepted for recycling at the large Household Recycling Centres.

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.

If clothes are soiled or wet, please place them in your black bin.

Air freshener cartridges can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but you can recycle them with TerraCycle. Save up your used cartridges and post using pre-paid labels, or take them to a collection point. Find out more about the TerraCycle Air, Home and Laundry Care Recycling Programme.

You can also recycle car air fresheners (except plug-ins) with this programme.

Alternative options

If you can't access a Terracycle collection point, air freshener cartridges should be put in your black bin.

You can post Babybel packaging to Terracycle for recycling using pre-paid labels, or take to drop-off points. Find out more about the Babybel Recycling Programme.

Alternative options

If you cannot access a Terracycle collection point, Babybel packaging can go in your black bin.

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

Alternative options

Never put batteries inside any of your bins as they get damaged by the crusher inside the lorry and cause fires.

For households that have their own wheelie bins: 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. 

For flats with large shared bins: Please do not leave batteries on top of these bins. Please take batteries to 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.

E-bike batteries can be recycled at many bike shops - check with your local shop. Halfords accepts e-bike batteries for recycling free of charge, and some are registered with the Velorim scheme (which does charge).

Find your nearest Velorim Centre

Power tool batteries can be recycled at large shops which sell them, for example Screwfix.

Batteries of all kinds can be taken to Household Recycling Centres.

You can find locations for recycling batteries on the recycle your electricals website.

Larger batteries from e-bikes, e-scooters, mobility scooters, electric ride-on toys, 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 serious fires inside bin lorries and at the recycling sorting facility in our area recently (seven so far in 2024) due to being placed into bins incorrectly.

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

Uses for inner tubes include support ties when planting trees and tree-friendly attachments for bird boxes. There are lots more crafty and creative ideas online, with some for tyres too.

Alternative options

Bicycle tyres, inner tubes and e-bike batteries can be taken to your local Velorim Centre for recycling. There is a small charge of £1 for tyres, 50p for inner tubes and £25 for batteries. E-bike batteries can also be recycled for free at 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.

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.

Alternative options

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

Biscuit, cracker and cake wrappers with a shiny foil-like layer on the inside or outside can’t be put in your blue bin, so if you can’t take them to a collection point put them in your black bin.

These are made of mixed materials, usually plastic and foil firmly glued together or sometimes plastic and paper, so are not easy to recycle.

Alternative options

You can recycle small amounts (i.e. from your own household) of empty blister pill packets at Boots stores with their Recycle at Boots scheme. You can scan the items and get Boots Advantage points.

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

Alternative options

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

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.

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.

Consider whether you can donate and show your support without purchasing single-use products. For example, you could put facepaint on your nose, or wear a knitted poppy each year. 

Alternative options

Hand your poppy or red nose in at the Customer Service desk of a Sainsbury’s store to be re-used or recycled.

In 2024 the Royal British Legion introduced a plastic-free poppy design using only paper. This can be put in the 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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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

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

More traditional ways of making coffee, like a cafetière or French press avoid waste, and the energy required to transport, process and recycle pods, 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.

Alternative options

Cambridgeshire County Council now has Podback collection containers for coffee pods at all nine Household Recycling Centres in Cambridgeshire. Tip your pods into the containers loose, not in bags.

The coffee grounds, aluminium and plastic are separated and processed back into raw materials or compost in the UK.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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 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.

Alternative options

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.

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

Alternative options

TerraCycle® and Burt's Bees have partnered to create a free recycling program 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 Burt's Bees personal care free recycling program.

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.

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.

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.

Alternative options

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. 

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

Alternative options

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.

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.

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

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.

Alternative options

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.

Plastic toothbrushes can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle. 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 Philips Dental Care Recycling Programme including local collection points.

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.

Some charity shops still accept CDs and DVDs in good condition (e.g. some Oxfam stores), but do check as many no longer do. Older media including VHS tapes, cassettes, and minidisks are not accepted, but there is a small market online for some items such as Disney videos and audio books on tape, so it might be worth offering them on websites such as eBay, Freecycle, Gumtree, or Facebook marketplace.

There are lots of creative ideas for re-purposing old CDs etc online.

Alternative options

Terracycle offers a paid service for recycling media storage, so if you have a large collection to dispose of this may be worth considering. Find out more about the Terracycle Zero Waste Bag scheme.

Video and audio cassettes, CDs, DVDs and minidisks are not recyclable in your kerbside collections. If you can not find an alternative use for them they must be disposed of in your black bin or at a Household Recycling Centre.