An A-Z guide to what you can recycle, and where to do it…

A…

Aerosols
Around 75% of local authorities will accept aerosols via recycling banks or kerbside collection schemes.  Remove the lid, etc, and make sure it is completely empty but do not pierce, crush or flatten any aerosol can.

B…

Batteries
Unfortunately only a few local authorities operate battery collection schemes. Your local recycling centre might offer a recycling service. Consider buying rechargeable batteries. The energy needed to recharge a battery is a fraction of the energy needed to make a new one.

Books
Books can’t usually be recycled along with other paper recycling because of the glue that’s used to bind them. Charity shops will always welcome donations of books. You could even try selling them on  Ebay and Green Metropolis or at a car boot sale.

Bricks
Local authorities will not accept bricks or building rubble in kerbside collection schemes. It is also unlikely your local recycling centre will accept them. If you have a number of bricks in good condition, you could try selling them in the local free ads. Building materials are always wanted by someone.

C…

Cans
Can are normally accepted in your kerbside collections. Rinse out any cans before placing them in your collection bin.

Car Batteries
Some recycling centres will take car batteries. It is against the law to dispose of car batteries with your household waste. If your local recycling centre will not take them, try your local scrap metal yard.

Cardboard Boxes
Most local authorities collect cardboard boxes with their kerbside collections. If not, the nearest recycling centre will. Large, strong cardboard boxes are very useful. If you have storage space, keep them. Anyone moving house will be able to find a use for them.

Cards (christmas, etc)
Can usually be included with other types of card in kerbside collections. Christmas cards can also be recycled via WHSmith and Tesco in January each year. Just take your cards into the store and place them in the bins provided. These will be recycled into various products and the resulting money raised is used by the woodland trust to plant and maintain woodlands.

Carpet
It is unlikely you will be able to recycle carpet via a kerbside collection scheme. If it is in reasonable condition, you could try selling it. Good condition mats or rugs might be accepted by charity shops.

Carrier Bags
Very few local authorities allow you to include carrier bags in their kerbside recycling bins. However, many supermarkets now have collection points for carrier bags in store. You could also reuse carrier bags you already have by taking them along when you go shopping.

CD’s
CD’s won’t be accepted in kerbside collections or recycling centres. Working CD’s could obviously be sold (ebay, carboot, etc) or you could get in contact with http://www.recyclingcds.com/index.asp to see if they will accept them.

Clothes
Clothes are nearly always accepted at recycling centres and there are clothing banks in car parks all over the country. Cleaned clothes, in good condition, are always welcome at charity shops.

Computers
Most recycling centres will take old and unwanted PC’s. We advise that you completely wipe your hard drive beforehand. This is not always as easy as it sounds (just deleting files does not remove them completely) so check out http://www.howtowipeyourdrive.com/HowToWipeYourHardDrive.aspx to find programs which will do this job securely. You could also donate your PC to charity http://www.donateapc.org.uk/.

Cooking Oil
Small amounts can be disposed of with your normal household food waste. If possible, allow it to solidify before adding it to your rubbish. Large amounts of oil from commercial premises can be collected and recycled.

E…

Engine Oil
Engine oil can be recycled via many local recycling centres. To find out exactly where http://www.oilbankline.org.uk/. Make sure it is in a sealed container and not mixed with any other substance.

Envelopes
Most local authorities will accept envelopes in the kerbside collections. If not, you can dispose of them at the local paper bank. The exception to this rule is Jiffy bags, as they are often made of number of materials including plastic.

F…

Food
Many local authorities provide a “caddy” with which you can collect and recycle food waste. This includes both raw and cooked food. Make sure you remove any packaging. Alternatively, why not get a compost bin in your garden? Aside from meat and fish, most food can be composted at home for use on your garden.

Furniture
Most recycling centres will accept wooden furniture. Your local council may be able to advise you on disposing of furniture made of other materials. There are also a number of charity schemes around the country which will take usable furniture to reuse. http://www.frn.org.uk/.

G…

Garden Waste
Some councils provide bins into which you can put garden waste for collection. If yours does not, you will be able to recycle it at your local recycling centre. Of course, garden waste is perfect for adding to your own composting bin.

Glass
Most glass will be accepted in your kerbside collections. Make sure you wash out bottles, etc, and remove the lids/caps. Bottles and jars can also be taken to your local bottle bank. Some glass, such as window panes, lightbulbs and ovenware, cannot be recycled.

J…

Juice Cartons
Not many kerbside collection schemes or recycling centres accept juice cartons because they are generally made of a number of materials, including plastic. However, some do so it is worth checking.

L…

Light Bulbs
Light bulbs generally won’t be accepted in kerbside schemes or recycling centres. To reduce the amount of light bulbs you use, switch to energy saving bulbs. These last longer, use less energy and will save you money!

M…

Magazines
Magazines can be included with other paper in most kerbside schemes. Alternatively, you can take them to your local paper bank. Check at you local hospital, they might welcome unwanted magazines for their waiting areas.

Milk Bottles
If you have you milk delivered in glass bottles, they should always be returned to your milkman to be reused. Plastic milk bottles are accepted by many local authorities’ kerbside collections. Remember to remove the lids and wash the bottles out.

Mobile Phones
Working phones can be recycled in a number of ways. Oxfan, Scope and Action Aid all accept unwanted phones, which are then refurbished and redistributed. Envirofone will pay to take your unwanted mobiles, either in cash or Argos vouchers. Newer models could be worth up to £150!

P…

Paint
Some recycling centres accept paint to recycle. Alternatively, schemes such as http://www.communityrepaint.org.uk/ welcome donations of paint and other painting materials. Colours such as white are useful in many circumstances, so it is worth keeping. Make sure the lid is sealed tightly and then store the paint tin upside down. This stops a skin forming on top of the paint.

Plasterboard
Many recycling centres do accept plasterboard now, however, it must be free from certain materials such as metal or timber studs, ceramic tiles, foam, etc. Check with your local centre to find out more.