If you share bins with your neighbours, you may have recycling bins, rather than bags or boxes, but the colour coding system will be the same.
Our recycling A-Z is a useful tool that allows you to search for items and see whether they can be recycled and which container they go in.
Visit our recycling A-Z
Orange bag for cardboard
Yes please
- brown and white cardboard and card
- coloured paper
- non-shiny wrapping paper
- greetings cards
- brown envelopes
No thank you
Remove any plastic envelope padding or excess sticky tape.
Flatten any boxes you can’t fit in your orange bag, tie in a bundle and leave next to the recycling bag for collection.
*Some Pringles tubes no longer have metal ends. Please check the recycling instructions on the tube. If the tube is 100% cardboard, you can recycle it in your orange bag.
Red bag for plastic, cartons and metal packaging
Put plastic bags and wrapping our for collection in a carrier bag or bread bag tied at the top. If you only have a small amount to recycle, put your tied bag inside your red recycling bag. Lots to recycle and no space in your red bag? Place your tied bag on top of your black box or tuck it alongside your recycling bags so it doesn't blow away.
Yes please
- drinks cans
- food tins
- aerosols
- aluminium foil
- plastic bottles
- plastic pots and tubs
- plastic trays
- trigger spray bottles
- toothpaste and other squeezable tubes
- cartons
- plastic bread, cereal, salad, pasta, frozen food and carrier bags
- Multi-pack wrapping, bubble wrap, cling film, plastic film lids
- Fruit and veg nets
- Chocolate, sweet and biscuit wrappers
- Crisp packets
No thank you
- polystyrene
- black plastic
- plastic toys
- plastic pouches like pet food and microwaveable pouches
Rinse and squash dirty cans, tins, plastic pots, tubs and trays before placing in your recycling bag. Wash and squash plastic bottles and cartons and replace the lid to save space in your bag.
Blue bag for paper
Yes please
- newspapers
- magazines
- brochures
- junk mail
- white envelopes
- utility bills
- shredded paper*
No thank you
*Put any shredded paper in a tied carrier bag and place in your blue recycling bag.
Remove any plastic envelope padding or excess sticky tape.
Black box for glass and textiles
Yes please
- wine and beer bottles
- jam jars
- make up pots
- perfume bottles
- clean and dry clothes and shoes
- towels, sheets and pillowcases
- belts and bags
No thank you
- broken glass
- Pyrex or cookware
- drinking glasses
- sheet glass
- duvets
- pillows
- dirty or damp clothes and shoes
Put clean and dry clothing, shoes, towels and sheets in a tied bag and place at the top of your recycling box.
We don’t take broken glass as part of your recycling collection service. Carefully wrap any broken glass or sharp objects, or put them in a sturdy plastic container like an ice cream tub. Clearly label the package so the crew know there’s broken glass inside and leave it out on top of your wheelie bin or sack.
Food waste caddies
Yes please
- uneaten food and plate scrapings
- dairy products, eggs and egg shells
- bread cakes and pastries
- raw and cooked meat and bones
- rice, pasta and beans
- tea bags
- uneaten pet food
No thank you
- compostable takeaway cups
- large amounts of liquid
- pet waste
- garden waste
Find out more about food waste collections
Order more recycling bags and boxes
You can order replacement or additional recycling containers using the link below.
Order recycling bags, boxes and food waste caddies
What to do if you have more recycling than you can fit in your bags or box
- Extra cardboard: please flatten, tie it into a bundle and leave out with the rest of your recycling
- Extra plastics, cans and tins: please put them in a carrier bag and leave with the rest of your recycling
- Extra paper: please put it in a carrier bag and leave out with the rest of your recycling
- You can also take extra recycling to your local Household Waste and Recycling Centre
Tips to help you recycle more:
- Use our recycling A-Z - not sure if something can be recycled or where it goes? Our Recycling A-Z tool is a quick and easy way to find out.
- Recycle at supermarkets – many supermarkets collect soft plastics, like bread bags and crisp packets, and have collection points batteries. Check locally to see what’s available in your area.
- Use Recycle Now’s locator tool - for items we don’t collect or accept at our HWRCs (such as blister packs) use Recycle Now’s locator tool to find out where they can be recycled near you.