Aluminium is infinitely recyclable! Please ensure cans are empty for safety reasons, and put in your blue bin.
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.
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 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.
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!
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 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.
Allow to completely cool and then put in your black bin.
Coal ash is not suitable for composting or use on your garden.
Wood ash can be used on your garden by adding directly to the soil around alkaline-loving plants e.g. clematis.
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.
Baby food pouches can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracyle and turned into products like fleeces, or springy surfaces for playgrounds. For every pouch collected, Terracycle will donate to charity.
Rinse and store your empty pouches somewhere convenient until you’ve collected a few. Then take them to your nearest collection point and they will be sent off to Terracycle. Find your nearest collection point.
Please place bamboo or wooden BBQ skewers into your green bin.
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.
Consider using rechargeable batteries. Modern rechargeables hold their charge a lot longer than in the past, and can be charged more quickly.
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.
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
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 collections page.
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.
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.
Compostable or biodegradable 'plastic' corn starch liners (e.g. BioBag) cannot be accepted in the green bins, even if they are EN13432 certified or display the compostable seedling logo, as they do not compost quickly enough for our fast composting process.
Please use only newspaper or 100% paper caddy liners for food waste in your green bin. Biodegradable 'plastic' or corn starch liners can be used in your home compost bin, if you have one, as they will have much longer to rot down.
Please do not put black bags in your other bins. Even if a black sack contains recycling your blue bin may not be emptied if it contains one since we cannot see what is inside. Please put recycling into your blue bin loose.
Empty black sacks - Unfortunately sorting equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility where items from blue bins are sent cannot detect the colour black and therefore black items can not be recycled. This is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution. See more information about black plastic recyclability issues.
Blankets can be put in textile banks at various recycling points around the district e.g. at supermarkets.
These are made of plastic and foil firmly glued together, so are not easy to recycle.
Take to a book bank at various recycling points around the city.
After rinsing and (where applicable) squashing your bottles and jars, please replace the lids on them before putting in the blue bin. This helps the small lids to find their way through the various conveyors etc. in the sorting process, and they can be separated from the containers later on.
Take to your nearest bra recycling bank or recycling point. Please donate only clean bras.
Bras taken to recycling banks are refurbished and sold by small businesses in Africa, where new bras are expensive and scarce. The donations raise money for Against Breast Cancer.
You can also put bras in ordinary clothes recycling banks.
If you have surplus bread try to freeze before it goes stale or mouldy.
Stale bread can be used in many recipes, for inspiration see www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
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.
Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
Large pieces of broken bottles and jars only can be put into your blue bin. Please put smaller shards into another jar with its lid on (or bag them and put them in your black bin) - this is to prevent them blowing out as the bin is emptied, which could be dangerous for staff.
Any other type of broken glass such as wine glasses or tumblers, windows, mirrors, picture frames etc should be carefully bagged and put in your black bin.
Small fragments of broken bottles and jars should also be bagged and put in the black bin, unless they can be contained in another jar.
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. To find out your bin collection day, visit our bin collection day page.
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 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.
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.
A minority of butter wrappers are made from thin greaseproof paper. These can be added to your green bin. Please check it is paper first by trying to tear it - if it tears easily with no stretching and is not metallic it is paper.
Most butter wrappers are made from a mixture of paper, plastic and aluminium. They are not suitable for recycling or composting.
Freeze before or on the use-by date, or see www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for ideas on using up.
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. . To find out your bin collection day, go to our bin collection day page.
f you do not wish to add to landfill, you can re-use your old candles
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.
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 on our website.
Car parts including batteries but excluding tyres can be taken to 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 collections 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.
Laminated cardboard e.g. sandwich packets contains plastic and can not be recycled with other card. If you are not sure, try tearing the card and you may be able to see the plastic layers.
They biodegrade and can be used for growing seeds. Also suitable for home composting.
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.
Old carpets will only be recycled if you are fitting new carpets yourself. If you are having a carpet fitted professionally the company should remove the old one for you.
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.
Please bag securely and put in black bin. Loose cat litter can be hazardous to our crews when emptying the bin.
Do not put cat litter (even if it is marked as biodegradable) in your green bin as it can be hazardous during processing.
Prevent waste by notifying companies if you no longer wish to receive catalogues from them.
Please remove catalogues from plastic sleeves before recycling. The sleeves can be put in your blue bin separately.
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.
All cardboard can be put 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.
Clean plastic bags and wrapping from cereals, bread, salad etc can be put in your blue bin for recycling.
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 on our website.
Consider whether you can donate and show your support without purchasing single-use products. For example, you could facepaint your nose, or wear a knitted poppy.
Hand your poppy or red nose in at a Sainsbury’s store to be recycled.
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.
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 on our 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.
Arthur Rank Hospice Charity collect Christmas trees for a donation. Not all areas are covered, so check their or our website in December for details.
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.
TerraCycle and JTI have partnered to create the Cigarette Waste Programme. You can save up your cigarette waste and post it off to be recycled.
Cigarette filters contain plastic and should never be discarded on the ground; you could be fined for littering.
Cardboard cigarette packets can be put in the blue bin for recycling, but please separate the foil inner and the plastic outer wrap first.
Amazingly, cigarette waste itself can be recycled via Terracycle. Please don't put it in your blue bin though!
Plastic spray bottles can be recycled along with all other plastic bottles in your blue bin. Leave the spray trigger attached.
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.
Consider reducing or eliminating your use of cling film by using alternatives:
Clean cling film can be recycled in your 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.
Plastic coat hangers can be recycled with hard plastics at Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), but any metal parts must be removed.
Wire coat hangers can be recycled with scrap metals at HRCs. Wooden coat hangers (if metal parts are removed) can be recycled with wood at HRCs.
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 cafeteria.
Coffee grounds and paper filters can be home composted.
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 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.
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.
It is possible to buy reusable Nespresso capsules which you can fill with your choice of coffee grounds.
Tassimo® T-DISCs and outer packaging can be recycled via Terracycle.
Foil coffee pods or capsules for coffee machines, e.g. Tassimo or Nespresso, 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.
Foreign and old money can be given to some charity shops.
Including:
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 the service on our website.
If you're upgrading your system or disposing of any hardware, consider giving it to a local community or voluntary group.
Recycle with electrical goods 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 about the service on our website.
These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle. You need to save up your soft lenses, blister packs and peel-off foil and drop them off at a collection point. For each set of contact lenses and packaging collected, Terracycle will donate to charity.
Find out more about the ACUVUE Contact Lens Recycle Programme.
Try to reduce food waste. Check Love Food Hate Waste's website for more information about how to save money by wasting less food.
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.
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 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.
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.
Synthetic/plastic corks need to be put into your main black bin.
Real corks can be put onto your own compost heap.
You can put real corks straight into the green bin. Please remember 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 buy washable make-up remover pads which can be used over and over again.
Do not flush down the toilet. Choose biodegradable ear buds (with a cardboard stick instead of plastic) which will break down.
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 rinse and save up your packets and drop them off at a collection point. For every packet collected, Terracycle will donate to charity.
Find out more about the Crisp Packet Recycling Scheme. Please note that all brands of crisp packet are accepted, but not other packets like nuts or popcorn.
Crisp packets which are silver on the inside are made from metallised plastic and can not be recycled. Those which feel like paper are a mixture of paper and plastic layers and can also not be recycled.
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.
If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check what toys they are able to accept first) or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. New toys with tags can be accepted by Cambridge Womens Aid.
If you have several, there are charities online who may accept donations of soft toys by post, to send to needy children in shelters, orphanages or war-torn areas e.g The Teddy Trust
Check with your local church who may collect toys for families in need.
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.
Curtains can be accepted in most textile banks, which are located around the city at various recycling points.
All textiles are accepted for reuse or recycling at Household Recycling Centres 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.
Cutlery should not be put in your blue bin. Metal cutlery in poor condition 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.
Check use-by dates and freeze dairy 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 the use-by date.
For more inspiration go to www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
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
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.
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 on our website.
Disposable nappies cannot be recycled. Consider using reusable washable nappies - modern styles are easy to use and wash. For more information see www.goreal.org.uk
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.
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 on our website.
Straws are optional - ask for no straw next time you order a drink. Or if you like to have a straw, find a reusable one you really like and take it with you. If buying straws for a party, opt for paper ones.
Please put disposable straws in your black bin.
If you are a confident home composter with a large compost bin or heap, and are certain that your duvet or pillow is made from totally natural fibres (i.e. 100% cotton outer with either feather or wool filling), you could compost it at home. It is likely to take a long time to break down though!
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.
Add to your home composter, 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 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.
Recycle with scrap metals at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
You do not need to remove windows from envelopes, as they are sieved out during the pulping process.
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 bag securely and put in black bin. Loose cat litter or dog poo can be hazardous to our crews when emptying the bin.
Do not put cat or dog faeces in your green bin as it can be hazardous during processing.
Animal fat can be mixed with seeds to make bird feeders, you can find instructions on various websites, including the RSPB.
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.
Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
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 the use-by date.
Use up small amounts of fish in a kedgeree or other recipe - for inspiration see www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
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
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.
Add raw vegetable peelings or fruit skins to your home compost heap, if you have one.
For inspiring ideas how to reduce food waste and save money, go to Love Food Hate Waste's website.
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 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
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 more about the service on our website. Please note that we are not able to collect oversize American-style fridge-freezers.
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 the service on our website.
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 collections page.
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 the service on our website.
Some garden waste can be added to your home compost bin or heap. For more information, go to Recycle Now's website.
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
Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
All colours of glass bottles and jars 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. 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.
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.
All colours of empty glass bottles and jars can be put in your blue bin. No need to remove sprays and caps, 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.
Prevent clothing waste. Making clothes uses a lot of resources, including water, fertiliser, pesticides and up to 10x more energy than the production of steel or glass.
Learn more about minimising the environmental impact of your clothes on the Love Your Clothes website.
Tie in plastic bags and drop off at a clothing bank, located at various recycling points around the district.
Textiles are accepted at Household Recycling Centres 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 (e.g. prunings, shredded paper) so that they don't go sludgy.
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 several times before it needs to be replaced.
Look out for reusable greaseproof paper (e.g. Magic Non-Stick Liner), which you can cut to the shape of your favourite baking tins and then wash after each use.
Add to your home compost bin or your green 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.
Put in a textile/clothing bank in various car parks around the district (e.g. supermarkets).
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 hard MDF-type hard board punnets can not be recycled and are not suitable for green bins either. They can be useful as storage trays though – for example use to organise your fridge or cupboards.
If you can't reuse these items, put them in your black bin.
Hearing aids are often collected for charity at a variety of places including:
Donated hearing aids are repaired, refurbished and sent overseas for re-use in developing countries. Batteries for hearing aids are also wanted.
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 collections 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.
Ice cream tubs can be recycled along with all your other clean plastic pots, tubs and trays in your 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.
You can recycle your inhalers via "Complete the Cycle” from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), which takes them back through pharmacies. Find your local participating pharmacy at Complete the Cycle.
It may be possible to donate broken jewellery to Scrapstore for craft use - find out more on our Scrapstore page.
Keep and reuse, pass on to friends or family or offer on Freegle (those who sell things on internet auction sites will be glad of them!).
As these are usually a mixture of plastic bubble wrap and paper, the materials are not easily separated and can't be recycled.
If you receive unsolicited addressed mail, you can opt out by using the Mailing Preference Service.
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.
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 collections page.
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 collections page.
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 collections page.
Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website.
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 collections page.
Add to your home compost bin 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 use biodegradable or compostable 'plastic' 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.
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 www.lovefoodhatewaste.com
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 use biodegradable or compostable 'plastic' 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.
Metal and plastic lids from jars and bottles can be put in your blue bin.
Although it sounds counter-intuitive, ideally please rinse (and squash if plastic) your bottles and jars, then put the lids back on. Because lids are small, this helps them to go through the sorting process without getting lost, before being separated from the glass later on.
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.
Compact energy-saving light bulbs (not long fluorescent tubes) and LED bulbs can be recycled at some recycling points.
You can also take them to the household recycling centres near Milton and Thriplow, which can also accept long fluorescent tubes.
For fluorescent tubes from commercial premises, a company called Envirogreen recycles lamps. They charge for storage and collection.
Energy-saving light bulbs (including fluorescent tubes) contain small amounts of mercury so care should be taken when disposing of them.
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.
You can avoid the need to dispose of liquid soap bottles by using solid bars of soap.
The bottle from hand soap dispensers can be placed in the blue bin.
The dispenser pump must be removed, as this is not currently recycled and should be placed in the black bin.
Ordinary polythene or cellophane plastic magazine wrappers can be recycled in your blue bin. Compostable 'plastic' wrappers can not be recycled.
Compostable 'plastic' magazine wrap (e.g. 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.
Donate to doctors or dentists surgeries, hairdressers, playgroups, schools or residential homes.
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.
Paper can be recycled in mixed recycling bins at recycling points. or in paper banks at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
Please rinse and put in the blue bin with all your other clean plastic pots, tubs and trays.
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.
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.
Please remove from the plastic tray and put in your black bin.
Prevent medicine waste and lower NHS costs by only ordering what you need. Find more tips at Medicine Waste UK.
Please rinse and crush. Beer cans with widgets are accepted.
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.
Microwaves can be recycled along with other electrical goods at Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. You can find out more about bulky goods collection on on our website.
Mirror glass can not be recycled with container glass (bottles and jars). Small amounts 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. You can find out more about bulky goods collection on our website.
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.
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.
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.
Used orchestral instruments – strings, woodwind, brass and percussion can be donated to children via Sistema England. Otherwise, if in good condition, ask if your local school would like it, donate to a charity shop or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.
It is difficult to remove the varnish and the bottles are too small to be captured during the recycling process.
Newspaper can be used for wrapping food waste to go in your green bin, and for lining a kitchen caddy if you have one.
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.
Take to Household Recycling Centres near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
It will be sorted and distributed to charities, community groups or individuals who need it by the Community RePaint scheme, www.communityrepaint.org.uk.
Community RePaint is a scheme that sorts unwanted leftover paint and makes it available to charities, community groups, schools, organisations and individuals at low cost.
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.
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. Some coffee shops sell them, and some give a discount if you take your own cup.
If you’re 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.
If you have paper cups that can't be recycled, please dispose of these in your black bin.
Paper towels or kitchen roll (but not wet wipes) can be put in your green bin. Please do not put them in your blue binas the paper is low quality and not suitable for recycling, as well as usually being wet or dirty.
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.
It is possible to recycle pens (including highlighters, markers and correction fluid pots) via Terracycle collection points at some schools - there are participating schools in Stretham and Cambridge. Wooden pencils and crayons are not accepted.
These type of pouches are made from layers of plastic and aluminium which are very difficult to separate out, and therefore they can not be recycled at the moment. Please put in the black bin.
Black bin items go through a mechanical and biological sorting process before going to landfill. Find out more on RECAP’s website.
Photos are made from various different kinds of plastic or coated paper, and can not be recycled.
It's important that cardboard for recycling is fairly clean and dry. Remove any food, and tear off any parts which are greasy (the greasy cardboard can be put in your green bin for composting).
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.
If you don't have a use for plastic bags yourself, some charity shops and small independent shops will be grateful for them.
Put empty bags in your blue bin. Please do not use bags to contain other items - it means we can't see the items inside properly to check they are accepted, and we may not empty your bin.
Never put plastic bags in your green bin.
Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. 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.
Empty drinks, shampoo and detergent bottles, if needed please rinse, squash and put lids back on.
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.
Recycle with other pots, tubs and trays in your blue bin.
Materials from your blue bin are sorted and turned into new products. Please put empty 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.
Avoid nets by buying fruit and veg loose.
These can not be recycled at present.
Clear and coloured plastic punnets from fruit or vegetables and food trays from ready meals can be recycled in your blue bin.
Unfortunately sorting equipment at the Materials Recycling Facility where items from blue bins are sent cannot detect the colour black and therefore black plastic trays can not be recycled. This is an issue across the UK and work is being done to find a solution. See more information about black plastic recyclability issue
Rinse and recycle with other pots, tubs and trays in your blue bin.
Please make sure bottles are empty and rinsed out. Put loose in your bin, 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.
Clean, empty plastic bottles, pots, tubs, trays, bags and film/wrap can be recycled in your blue bin. Examples of acceptable items include:
Very dirty items and those with food left inside should either be cleaned before recycling or put in the black bin.
Some examples of plastic packaging that can not be recycled include:
Large (>5 inches 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.
Seedling trays, small pots (5 inch or less), 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. Find out more about black plastic recyclability issues.
Broken ones can be recycled with hard plastic items at the Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
If you can't get to a HRC, you can put it in your black bin. They can not be recycled in your blue bin.
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.
Give to charity - ask your local charity shop or call a national charity to see if you can post to them.
Many charities collect postage stamps, where they can be sold in bulk. Cut around postage stamps and leave a good margin, do not steam off.
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.
You may be able to return your printer cartridges to a shop or manufacturer to be refilled. Some stationers e.g. Ryman do this, as well as the Smart Cartridge Shop in Cambridge (01223 464100).
There are many charities which collect used cartridges, or organisations that collect on their behalf. Search 'recycle printer cartridges' online for various schemes which you can send your cartridges to Freepost.
Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information 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.
Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website. Please note that waste from businesses is not accepted at these sites.
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.
Broken Pyrex should never be put in a recycling bin or bank with other glass. It has a very high melting point, and will cause other glass that is with it to be wasted and result in problems for the glass recycling facility.
Many different styles of washable pads are now available, as well as alternatives such as menstrual cups.
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.
Cardboard type binders (not plastic-covered) can be dismantled by removing the metal rings. The cardboard part can then be put in the blue bin. The metal part can be taken with other scrap metals to a Household Recycling Centre, or put in the black bin.
Plastic or plastic-coated binders not suitable for re-use should be put in the black bin.
If in good condition, donate to charity or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree.
If too dirty/damaged, Small mats can be put in your black bin. Large rugs should be taken to Household Recycling Centres are near Milton and Thriplow. More information can be found on Cambridgeshire County Council’s website.
Disposable sanitary pads and tampons cannot be recycled so please consider reusable alternatives - many different styles of washable pads are now available, as well as alternatives such as menstrual cups.
Disposable sanitary pads should be wrapped and put in your black bin.
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.
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.
For branded items check whether your school has a uniform swap or sell scheme, or pass on to other parents. Generic items can be donated to charity shops.
Clothing (either in good condition or worn out) can be taken to clothing banks at recycling points around the city. Please tie in bags.
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.
An unwanted vehicle may be worth a small amount as scrap. See the local telephone directory for a list of scrap dealers.
Alternatively visit Give a Car, who can collect the car for free and recycle it with any proceeds donated to the charity of your choice.
Abandoned vehicles can be reported to us.
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.
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 collections page.
Although not recyclable itself, small amounts of sellotape do not need to be removed from paper or boxes before putting them in the blue bin.
Whole rolls of un-useable sellotape should be put in the black bin.
Sewing machines can be repaired via local sewing-supplies shops.
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 if not working, as they can be re-purposed into chic furniture.
Broken electric sewing machines can be recycled with other electrical goods 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 collections page.
Tie in bags to keep pairs together and put in clothing banks at recycling points around the city. Please tie in bags.
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.
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).
If you have a large quantity from a clear-out it can be taken to paper banks at recycling points. Please contain it in a paper bag or clear plastic sack.
All electrical items (anything with a plug or batteries) 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 bulky collections 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.
Household Recycling Centres are 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.
Unwanted spectacles can be sent to developing countries for reuse. Check with your local opticians and library as many have a collection point.
Most sponges are synthetic, especially those used in the kitchen. For the avoidance of doubt, please do not put any sponges into your green bin. Natural sponges can be composted at home if you have a garden composter.
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 on our website.
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 on our website.
Add to your home compost bin, if you have one. You can find out more on Recycle Now's composting webpage.
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.
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.
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 more on our website.
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 more information on our website.
Consider using handkerchiefs instead. They can be beautiful and as a bonus you won't get a sore nose when you have a cold!
Please do not put tissues in your blue bin, the fibres are too low quality to make new paper from, and they are usually dirty anyway. Put in your green bin to be composted.
Do not put any type of wet wipes in your green or blue bins, these are made from plastic fibres. Put them in tour black bin please.
We would encourage you to re-use your toothbrush for cleaning shoes and getting in those hard to reach cleaning spots.
You can consider using bamboo toothbrushes.
These can’t be recycled in your blue bin, but they can now be recycled by Terracycle along with empty toothpaste tubes. 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 Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme including local collection points. All brands are accepted, not just Colgate.
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 along with toothbrushes and toothbrush heads. 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 Colgate Oral Care Recycling Programme including local collection points. All brands are accepted, not just Colgate.
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.
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, Womens 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.
Clean, dry towels in any condition can be put in textile banks at recycling points.
Dirty, oily or wet towels can not be re-used or recycled.
Some hard plastic toys can be recycled with hard plastics at Household Recycling Centres. Large broken toys that can not fit in your black bin can be disposed of here too.
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.
Small pieces of treated wood (e.g. 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 more on our website.
Treated wood should not be put in your green bin.
Leave triggers on your empty spray bottles and put them in your 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.
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 on our website.
Stacked car tyres can make useful planters for plants that need warmth; the black rubber absorbs the heat. This is not recommended for vegetables or edible plants. You can also make tyre swings, outdoor furniture etc. - search online for ideas.
Car tyres can not be accepted for recycling or disposal by the Council. If you have tyres to dispose of, contact your local garage who may be able to take them for you either for free or for a small charge.
Alternatively, search for specialist tyre disposal services online.
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 more on our 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.
Vacuum cleaners can often be repaired. First check it is properly emptied! See the Circular Cambridge Directory for a list of repairers, or try taking it to a Repair Cafe.
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 electrical goods 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 more on our website.
Put in your home compost bin or heap, if you have one. You can find out more about composting here.
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 in good condition, pass them on – offer them to family or friends, or give them away on websites like Freegle or Gumtree. Charity shops might accept them, but check first.
For more information and creative ideas visit Recycle Now.
There are recycling banks for books and media including DVDs, CDs, tapes and video cassettes at some recycling points around the city.
If broken and not re-usable, put in your black bin.
If in good condition, donate to a charity shop (check they are accepted first), sell or pass on via networks such as Freegle or Gumtree. Made from PVC, vinyl records are often 're-purposed' into new stylish ornaments, wall art or tableware - so even scratched records may be wanted by somebody.
Vinyl records cannot be recycled. If broken, put in your black bin.
Unused surplus rolls of wallpaper can be donated to some charities (check first) and Scrapstores, or reuse at home for children's artwork etc.
Wallpaper not suitable for reuse should be put in the black bin.
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 more on our website.
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 on our website.
Water filters cannot be recycled as part of your recycling collection scheme nor at household waste recycling centres. However, if you use a BRITA branded water filter you can recycle the used filters at most Argos, Robert Dyas and Homebase stores where boxes are provided for the collection of used cartridges.
To find your nearest participating store, visit the BRITA website.
For other water filter brands, please contact the manufacturer to find out if they provide a similar service.
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.
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.
Have a go at repairing your clothes. It's easier than you may think, and many techniques (e.g. Sashiko, a style of Japanese visible mending) are very fashionable.
Find out more at Love Your Clothes.
Clean worn out clothes are accepted at clothing banks located at various recycling points around the district. You can also use charity collection bags if you receive them through your letterbox.
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.
If clothes are soiled or wet, please place them in your black bin.
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. To find out about how buy a compost bin or get a free soil conditioner mage from green bin contents, visit this page.
All weeds with the exception of the particularly pernicious Japanese knotweed can be safely put in your green bin. The high temperatures the compost reaches during the municipal composting process will kill off any seeds. To find out more about how waste is treated, visit RECAP's website.
Donate it to a charity shop if not broken.
Broken wine glasses, tumblers or other glass drinking vessels should be carefully bagged and put in your black bin.
Small fragments of broken bottles and jars should also be bagged and put in the black bin, unless they can be contained in another jar.
Wipes are not recyclable, compostable or flushable, since they are made of a mix of paper and plastic fibres.
Consider using washable alternatives, there are various brands of washable baby wipes, and cotton dishcloths can be washed and reused for most other applications.
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.
You can re-use wrapping paper and gift bags.
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.
Metallic and plastic gift-wrap that you cannot re-use, need to be placed in your black bin as it can not be recycled.
Re-use pieces of wrapping paper whenever possible.
Do the scrunch test - if your wrapping paper springs back rather than staying scrunched, it is probably made of metallised plastic, and can not be recycled.
Heavily glittered paper should also not be recycled as the plastic glitter and glue cause problems with the recycling process.
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 rinse.
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.
