What goes in my recycling and waste bins?

If you live in a location which is hard to reach with a full size bin lorry your waste will be collected by a transit van but will still be collected on alternate weeks. Find out about transit collections.

Grey bin for recycling only

Yes please

• Catalogues
• Junk mail
• Cardboard
• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Office paper
• Envelopes
• Shredded paper (to prevent spillage, please put in a small cereal or other cardboard box)
• Aerosol cans
• Aluminium foil
• Drinks cans
• Food cans
• Glass bottles
• Glass jars
• Plastic bottles
• Plastic food trays
• Margarine/butter tubs
• Yoghurt pots
• Food and drinks cartons (for example, Tetrapak)

Please note that black plastic food trays cannot be put in your recycling bin because they are made from a mix of low grade plastic and contain black pigment. They currently can’t be recycled. 

No thanks

• Plastic plant pots or seed trays
• Plastic bags, bin bags, crisp packets, cellophane, cling film or bubble wrap – these are a low grade plastic which also get tangled in the sorting machine
• Foam/polystyrene take away cups, food trays or packaging
• Waxed/coated cardboard take away drink cups - the card and plastic cannot be separated
• Mirrors or sheets of glass - these can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre
• Pyrex jugs or dishes - made from toughened/treated glass
• Paint tins or oil cans - these can be taken to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre
• Wallpaper - some have adhesive or coatings on them which can’t be separated
• Plastic toys or kitchenware such as kettles and washing up bowls
• Greetings cards with glitter, foil or beads
• Black plastic food trays
• Other items such as needles, colostomy bags, incontinence pads, nappies, dog poo, food waste, garden waste, car parts, car batteries, bricks, wood, carpets, textiles, electrical items including cookers, dryers, vacuum cleaners, gas bottles or hazardous waste should not be put in your recycling bin

Don’t forget

• All recyclable items can go together in the same recycling bin, either grey bin or grey bin with blue lid
• You do not need to separate your paper anymore, this can go in with other recycling items
• Please rinse out items to remove any remaining food or liquid
• You don’t need to take the labels off
• Lids can be left on plastic bottles but squash the bottle first
• Although plastic bags can't be disposed of in your recycling bin, some local supermarkets will accept them and dispose of them properly for you. Ask your local supermarket for more information.
• You must put the right thing in the right bin, contaminated bins will not be emptied
• Bins should have the lid closed with no waste at the side
• We will only empty one general waste bin per household
• The Domestic Waste and Recycling Policy will be enforced

Brown bin for garden waste

There is now an annual charge for the garden waste collection service. You can still sign up to the garden waste collection service. Alternatively, you can take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or you may wish to make your own compost.

Yes please

• grass cuttings
• leaves
• twigs and small branches (cut into small pieces)
• hedge clippings
• garden plants and weeds

No thanks

• soil, rubble and stone
• plant pots and seed trays
• wire or plastic plant ties
• glass or metal
• cardboard, plastic and plastic bags
• food, including fruit and vegetable peelings
• dog and cat faeces
• pet bedding and straw

Green bin for general waste

Only household waste that can’t be recycled should be put in this bin.

Most homes have a green bin for general waste, except for hard to reach properties. Find out about transit collections.

Your bin lid should be closed on your collection day.

You must not put sacks or bags of waste at the side of your bin.

We will only empty one green general waste bin from each household, unless otherwise agreed.

The following items must not be put in the general waste (green) bin

Garden waste

Do not put garden waste in your general waste bin, contaminated bins will not be emptied. For a small fee we can collect your garden waste or you can take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or you may wish to make your own compost.

Gas bottles

Gas bottles and cylinders cannot be accepted at our Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) and must be returned to the supplier to be refilled, recycled or disposed of appropriately.

Do not place gas cylinders of any kind in your bin as they may explode if they are crushed in the collection vehicle or during the sortation process.

Needles and syringes

Return these to the provider or one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Batteries

These can be taken to any retail outlet that sells batteries or one of the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Electrical items (such as fridges, washing machines, hairdryers)

These can be recycled and can be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre. If you are unable to transport large electrical items you can book an electrical waste collection now.

Tyres

These can be taken to the Household Waste Recycling Centres at Bowling Back Lane or Royd Ings Keighley.

Tyres will be charged at £6.50 excluding VAT per tyre.

Blue bin for recycling

These blue recycling bins are now used in some multi-occupancy properties where individual grey bins aren’t practical.

The more you recycle, the better for the environment.

When is my recycling and waste collected?

Your general waste (green) bin will be emptied one week and your recycling (grey) bin will be emptied the following week.

We collect your recycling and waste between 6.30am and 5.15pm on your collection day. You can check your bin collection dates now.

If you live in a location which is hard to reach with a full size bin lorry your waste will be collected by a transit van but will still be collected on alternate weeks. Find out about transit collections.

Find out more about collections in bad weather.

Where should I put my bins?

Your bins should be placed at the side of kerb or at your agreed collection point for emptying. Your bins should not obstruct the footpath or road. Please return your bins to your property when your recycling and waste have been collected.

Missed bin collections

Find out more about missed bin collections and report a missed bin.

What other items can I put in my recycling bin?

You can now also recycle plastic food trays, yoghurt pots, margarine/butter tubs, food and drinks cartons.

Why can’t I put more items in my recycling bin?

We know that many residents are keen to recycle as much as possible but what we leave out is just as important as what we put in our recycle bins. There is not always a suitable or cost effective end market for all recyclable materials - but we ask you to reduce, reuse and find alternative ways to get rid of items you no longer want or use.

Do I still need to separate my paper and card?

No, you do not need to separate your paper and card anymore, this can all go together in your recycling bin with other recycling items.

Which bin should I use?

All recyclable items can now go in one bin, you will have a recycling bin or a grey bin with blue lid, either of these can be used for recycling.

Do I still need my bin insert?

No, if you have a bin insert you do not need to use this anymore. Any inserts put out with your bin will be removed.

I forgot to put my bin out last week so have extra waste next time.

It is the responsibility of each household to remember to put out the correct bin on the correct collection day. Excess waste because you forgot to put your bin out must be taken to a Household Waste Recycling Centre.

I have lots of recycling. Can I put extra recycling out with my recycling bin?

Householders should not place excess recycling or non-recyclable waste at the sides of bins.

Occasional excess recyclable waste should be taken to a local recycling bring site or Household Waste Recycling Centre, where it will be recycled. However, if you regularly produce a large amount of recyclable waste, you should call 01274 431000 to request an additional recycling bin.

Why can’t I put extra waste out that won’t fit in the bin?

Excess waste should not be placed at the side of bins. It is unsightly, may create a hazard for pedestrians, attract animals and pests or result in littering. The Council reserves the right to take enforcement action where a household continues to present side waste.

Does the lid on my bin need to be closed?

All bins should be presented for collection with the lid closed. This is to prevent spillage or odour problems, access by animals and pests, nuisance or accidents to staff or members of the public.

If I squash my lid down is that ok?

Yes. We encourage residents to make the best use of the storage capacity of the bin by compressing the waste in it.