What goes in which bin?

Download a poster showing what can go in each of your bins, or search for specific items below.
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
aerosol cans

Aerosol cans

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Blue recycling bin or box

Aluminium is infinitely recyclable! Please ensure cans are empty for safety reasons, and put in your blue bin.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Household Waste and Recycling Centre

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

Aluminium foil / tinfoil / foil trays

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Blue recycling bin or box

Clean foil, including foil trays from takeaways or ready-meals can be put in your blue bin. If possible please save up small pieces of foil and scrunch into a tennis-ball sized ball before putting in the bin - this is because very small items can get lost throughout the sorting process, and this will help ensure they can be recycled effectively.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Main black bin or white sack

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

Aluminium tube e.g. tomato puree

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Blue recycling bin or box

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

Armchair

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Re-use your items if you can

If in good condition, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Household Waste and Recycling Centre

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

Asbestos

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An image telling you that the particular item should not be put in your bins

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

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

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

Ash (coal)

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Main black bin or white sack

Allow to completely cool and then put in your black bin.

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

Ash (wood)

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Re-use your items if you can

Wood ash can be used on your garden by adding directly to the soil around alkaline-loving plants e.g. clematis.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Green compost bin or brown sacks

If adding large quantities to your green bin with little other material please put ash in a paper bag first, otherwise it can blow into eyes when emptying the bin.

Bathroom ceramics

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Re-use your items if you can

If in good condition, sell or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Household Waste and Recycling Centre

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 more about this service on our website.

Batteries

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Re-use your items if you can

Consider using rechargeable batteries. Modern rechargeables hold their charge a lot longer than in the past, and can be charged more quickly.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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An image telling you that the particular item should not be put in your bins

All types of portable household battery (e.g. Li-ion, AA, C, D, button, laptop) can be put in a small plastic bag and attached to the handle of your blue bin for kerbside collection.

There are also collection points in all major retailers that sell batteries e.g. supermarkets and electrical shops.

Bedding / bed linen / sheets / duvet covers

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Re-use your items if you can

If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check what they accept first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.
If you cannot do the preferred option please see alternative options below:
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Recycling bank

Blankets, sheets and duvet covers can be put in textile and clothing banks in various locations around the district e.g. supermarket car parks. Please note that duvets and pillows should NOT be put in these banks.

Find local recycling banks at https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/find-your-nearest-recycling-point

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