Save up to 30% on Business Waste! Book a Waste Audit

Recycling A-Z

The Complete A-Z Waste and Recycling Guide

We throw away all sorts of items from our homes and in the workplace every day, and sometimes a few things can end up in the wrong bin. If you are unsure about how to recycle something, check our A-Z waste disposal and recycling guide to find out how to correctly and safely dispose of all types of waste.

Recycling Glass Bottles Graphic
Home Recycling Services Service

How to recycle...

A

Aerosols

You can recycle aerosol cans in your mixed recycling bin at home. Please dispose of the plastic lids in your general waste bin. Make sure any aerosol cans are empty before recycling. Aerosol cans are usually made of either tin-plated steel or aluminium.

Aluminium

Aluminium is a valuable material as it can be recycled over and over again. It can be melted down and reformed without losing its quality. Recycling aluminium saves valuable natural resources and used 95% less energy than producing new aluminium.

Aluminium Cans

Recycle your empty aluminium cans in your mixed recycling bin at home. Aluminium cans can also be recycled at can banks, usually located at supermarkets and council recycling sites.

Aluminium Foil

Clean household foil and aluminium trays are widely recycled in household collection schemes and at recycling points. Many recycling plants will not accept foil if it is coated in food or grease, but clean foil is fine in your recycling bin.

Asbestos

Asbestos is classed as hazardous waste so it can be dangerous to handle without the correct safety equipment. You can take bagged asbestos to your local council tip, but the best solution is for a specialist hazardous waste services.

Ashes

Cold ashes from either coal or wood are completely fine in your general waste bin. However, you should NEVER put hot ashes straight into your bin. Hot ashes will melt the plastic and could cause a fire.

B

Batteries

Batteries can't go in general waste bins, but you can take batteries to your local recycling centre. Regular household batteries can also be recycled at most supermarkets or electrical stores. For businesses, waste management companies such as ourselves can provide boxes specifically for batteries.

Beer Bottles

Glass beer bottles and most other types of glass bottles go in your mixed recycling bins or public bottle banks. For businesses in the hospitality sector bottles often go in dry mixed recycling bins of bins specifically for glass bottles. Find out more about hospitality waste management solutions.

Birthday Cards & Greetings Cards

Most birthday, Christmas or other greetings cards are paper-based, and they can be recycled in household recycling collections or at your local recycling centre. Cards will often have the recycling symbol on the back; otherwise, they, unfortunately, can't be recycled.

Books

Before thinking about recycling your books, why not donate them to a charity shop or pass them on to a friend or family member? If they are not in a condition to reuse, they can go in your mixed recycling at home. Alternatively, you can use a service like webuybooks.co.uk.

Bottles

Bottles, both glass and plastic can be recycled, and both go in your recycling bins at home or in bottle banks found at recycling centres, supermarkets and other public places. For business recycling services, bottles should go in your dry mixed recycling bins or specific wheelie bins for bottles. Bottle bins are common in the hospitality industry and pubs.

Bricks

Bricks and other building waste is not part of household recycling schemes and usually require a skip for disposal. Building waste often requires a waste carriers licence to transport it, so it's best left to skip hire and waste management companies. Undamaged bricks can be reused as they can last for hundreds of years.

Brochures

Paper-based brochures, including glossed paper brochures, can be recycled and should go in your mixed recycling bins. Both coloured and black and white brochures/flyers/booklets can be recycled. However, some brochures with polymer coatings may not be recyclable.

Bubble Wrap

Some councils now allow for the recycling of bubble wrap in household collections, but this is still very limited service. Check your local council website for more information. Alternatively, bubble wrap can be recycled at plastic bag collection points found at supermarkets and recycling centres.

Building Waste Materials

For small amounts of building waste from a DIY project, you can usually take this to your local waste and recycling centre. However, building debris from construction work usually requires you to hire a skip from a waste management company to dispose of and recycle the building materials.

Bulky Household Items

Bulky household items include furniture which if in good condition can be donated to charity shops. For one-off collections, your local council can provide a service for this, apply for a collection here. For more items and house clearances skip hire is a great solution.

Business Waste

Business waste is any waste produced by tradespeople/builders, any waste that comes from commercial activities and any waste produced on business premises including homes, offices, shops and warehouses. Business cannot put waste in household bins and you'll need to complete a waste transfer note for all loads. For more information about business waste, see our waste management services.

C

Car Batteries

By law, car batteries must not go in household bins. You can take car batteries to a recycling centre. When buying a new battery from a car garage, they may be able to take the old one and dispose of it safely. Battery acid can burn clothing, skin and even cause blindness if it leaks. Use protective clothing where appropriate.

Cardboard

Cardboard is widely recycled in domestic waste collections, and it should go in your mixed recycling bin which is often the blue bin. Cardboard can be recycled unless it's contaminated, i.e. cardboard that contains food residue, dirt or paint. For business waste, cardboard recycling bins are a great cost-effective solution that can reduce your waste disposal costs.

Carpet

Carpet can be donated to charity shops if in good condition. You can, however, take it a recycling centre if it is no longer of any use. Note that any waste produced by tradespeople, e.g. carpet fitters that carry out home improvement work is classed as business waste. Business waste cannot go in domestic bins and requires a waste carriers licence to transport it to an appropriate facility.

Carrier Bags

Check your local supermarkets for plastic bag recycling points. Otherwise, plastic bags go in your general waste bin at home. However, many supermarkets provide more environmentally friendly carrier bags such as paper plastic bags which can be recycled in your mixed recycling, and compostable carrier bags go in your garden waste bin.

Chemicals and Chemical Waste

Chemical cleaning products including gels, liquids and powders mostly can be disposed of how they are used either. This can be down the toilet or drain, depending on the purpose of the product. Products with hazardous chemicals should be taken to your local waste and recycling facility or disposed of by a licensed waste management company.

Christmas Trees

Real Christmas trees are recyclable, but because artificial trees are made of a combination of materials they cannot be recycled. Remember to remove all decorations, tinsel and pots/stands before recycling your real Christmas trees. For more information about how trees are recycled in your local area, check with your local council for specific details. Christmas tree recycling schemes can be different throughout the country.

Clingfilm

Unfortunately cling film is generally not recyclable. Cling film should go in your general waste bin. Like other non-recyclable plastics plastic wrap ends up in landfill sites. Usually, plastics can take hundreds of years to decompose. Looking for alternatives to single-use plastics will help protect the environment.

Clinical Waste

Clinical waste is usually produced in healthcare settings such as hospitals, GP surgeries and dental practices. Clinical waste is divided into four categories: sharp, infectious, redundant medical waste and anatomical. The four types must be segregated and put into separate containers and disposed of by licensed professionals.

Clothes

There are many great and convenient ways to recycle and donate clothes. Councils often provide textile recycling solutions. You can also drop off any unwanted items at recycling points at clothing and textile banks commonly found in supermarket car parks. You can also donate clothes to charity shops and donation banks in retail stores such as Primark.

Commercial Waste

Trade or commercial waste of any description is not accepted at any of the household waste recycling centres or in household bins. You can be fined for incorrect management of commercial waste. Get in touch for safe, responsible and environmentally friendly waste management services for commercial premises.

Computer Monitors

Computer monitors are classed as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) waste. Recycling of WEEE is a specialist part of the waste and recycling industry. WEEE includes the majority of products and devices that have or plug or require batteries. Your local recycling centre should accept computer monitors for recycling. In a commercial setting, we can provide WEEE disposal services.

Computers

All Computers, including desktop PCs, Macs and laptops as classed as WEEE waste. Disposal and recycling of WEEE items cannot go in household waste as it is a specialist sector of the waste management industry. For more information about computer recycling, check out our computer recycling guide.

Confidential Documents

Under UK laws, companies must comply with the Data Protection Act, which includes the secure disposal of confidential waste help by companies. Confidential waste refers to documents and records held by businesses that can expose private and personal information about employees, customers and any other suppliers. See our confidential waste services.

Copper

Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals on the market, and it can be found in almost all industrial and construction projects. Recycling Copper is easy, speak to us to find the best prices for your scrap Copper. Copper can be worth over £3 per kilogram for good Copper. We provide competitive prices for Copper, get in touch for more information about our scrap metal recycling.

Crisp Packets

Crisp packets are not currently recyclable in council recycling services, but there are options out there available to recycle them. Check out Terracycle to find out more about the recycling scheme. Walkers® offers a free and straightforward crisp packet recycling scheme, and it accepts all brands. Find your local drop off point here.

Coffee Pods

Single-use coffee pods and capsules are not usually accepted in residential recycling bin collections; these must go in your general waste bin. However, some pods are made of compostable materials. Check for information on the packet for further details about the materials used.

D

Diesel

Not all waste and recycling facilities can accept hazardous waste. Contact you local councils recycling facilities to find out if they take, if not they may be able to recommend reliable alternatives. You can check on the UK Government website to find your nearest hazardous waste plant.

Disposable PPE (COVID-19)

You can dispose of personal protective equipment in your general waste. As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, PPE usage has increased in homes and the workplace. Uncontaminated PPE goes in general waste, but if you have the virus, it needs to be bagged separately and stored for 72 hours. For PPE disposal in the workplace, see our COVID-19 PPE page.

DIY Waste

You can take DIY waste to recycling centres including garden waste, hardcore and rubble, scrap metal and wood/timber. When dealing with larger amounts of DIY waste, hiring a skip might be a better option in many cases. Professional skip hire ensures waste legislation and laws don't get broken.

Domestic Waste

Domestic and household waste throughout the UK is collected by your local council, and you will have specific bins for different waste types. Commonly you will have a general waste bin for non-recyclable waste, a mixed recycling bin and a food and garden waste bin. Certain areas also may have a fourth bin.

Drinks Bottles

Plastic bottles and glass drinks bottles are widely collected in recycling collections throughout the UK. You can also drop off drinks bottles at bottle banks at your council's local recycling facility, or they are often in supermarket car parks. Please empty and rinse bottles beforehand.

DVDs

Some recycling centres accept DVD's for recycling, check with your local centre beforehand. Ideally, working discs should be passed on to someone else that can use them. You can donate them to charity shops, or there are plenty of online services out there, you could even use online marketplaces such as eBay.

E

Egg Cartons

Egg cartons are often made of cardboard, polystyrene or plastic. Cardboard egg cartons are the most environmentally friendly option, and we would recommend these where possible. Clean cardboard egg cartons can be recycled in your paper and cardboard recycling bin or dry mixed recycling bin.

Egg Shells

Eggshells should go in your food and garden waste bin at home. However, like other food and organic waste eggshells are also great in compost so if you have a compost bin at home. Simply crush them and add them to your compost.

Electrical Items

The majority of electrical items are classed as WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment), and they will have the WEEE symbol on them. The symbol is a crossed-out wheelie bin which will usually be found somewhere on the device or in the paperwork. To dispose of your electrical items correctly, they should be taken to your local recycling centre or donate appliances to charity shops.

Energy Saving Lightbulbs

Energy-efficient light bulbs and LED bulbs are a type of low-energy fluorescent lamp, and they can be recycled at local recycling centres. Some shops may also have drop-off points if you want to avoid going to the tip. Older style incandescent bulbs aren't recyclable and should be thrown away with other non-recyclable waste in your rubbish bin.

Engine Oil

Don't pour engine oil down the drain, it causes pollution, and it is breaking the law. Engine oil can be recycled but not in your recycling bin at home. You can take it to your local recycling centre for safe disposal. Please make sure it is in a sealed container, and it's not been mixed with any other liquid or substance.

Envelopes and Mail

Paper envelopes and letters are recyclable like the majority of other paper. These should go in your recycling bins at home for collection by your local council. Envelopes with plastic windows can also be recycled, but it helps if you remove the plastic window before putting it in your recycling bin.

F

Fabric

Fabrics and clothing can be recycled at recycling centres and clothes and textile banks, which are usually in supermarket car parks and public places. Ideally, any unwanted clothes that are in good condition should be donated to registered charities. You can also find clothing recycling points in large high street retailers, including M&S, Primark and H&M.

Film Lids (Plastic)

Plastic film is typically defined as thin plastic sheets with a thickness of less than 10mm. The majority of plastic films are manufactured from polythene resin. These are easily recyclable if the material is clean and dry and they can be taken to your local recycling centres. However, non-polythene plastic films are not recyclable. Find out more at Recycle Now.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are classed as hazardous waste. These can be very dangerous when put in your bin at home or at work because they are pressurised containers. Empty fire extinguishers can be taken to your local recycling centre for recycling, once fully discharged, the components can be recycled using standard recycling techniques.

Fluorescent Tube Lights

You can take fluorescent tubes to your local recycling centre. Please do not put them in your mixed recycling bin at home. Recycling points are available at some supermarkets throughout the UK. Fluorescent tubes lights are common in offices/businesses, for business waste management get in touch for more information.

Food Waste

Food waste should go into your food and garden waste bin at home. Please make sure all packaging has been removed. Home composting is also a great idea if you have a garden, producing your own high-quality fertiliser and it makes looking after your garden much cheaper.

Food Packaging

Different types of food come in very different packaging so it can be difficult to know what can be recycled. Cardboard packaging and outer sleeves are widely recycled and should go in your recycling bin at home or work. Once cleaned out, glass jars and containers can also be recycled at home. Plastic food packaging is where the confusion usually comes from, so check out this guide for more details.

Freezers

Even if a freezer could fit in your bin at home they're classes as WEEE waste meaning they would be prohibited. You need to take it to your local recycling centre for safe disposal. It's also possible to get your freezer removed when you're getting your new one delivered; the retailer may offer a service to take away your old one for an additional fee. Your local council will also provide a collection service for a fee.

Fridges

Large household appliances often require specialist collections due to their size. Because fridges use electricity and have plugs, they are categorised as WEEE waste. If possible, you need to take it to your local recycling centre for safe disposal. It's also likely you can get your fridge removed when you're getting your new one delivered; the retailer may offer a service to take away your old one for an additional fee. Your local council will also provide a collection service for a fee.

G

Game Consoles

Games consoles such as old Playstation's, Xbox's and handheld game consoles are classed as WEEE waste. Electrical items cannot be disposed of or recycled in your household bins because of WEEE waste is classed as hazardous waste, and they contain valuable recyclable materials. Broken game consoles can be taken to your local recycling centres. Consider donating to charity shops or 'trade-in' old consoles that are still in good condition.

Garden Waste

For small amounts of garden waste, you produce it can go in your food and garden waste bin at home. However, any garden waste produced by tradespeople or gardeners you hire to carry out work or maintenance is classed as business waste and can't be disposed of at household waste recycling centres. You're best off hiring a skip to remove this waste to avoid breaking the law.

Gas Bottles

Gas cylinders are usually made of metals that are recyclable including aluminium and steel so they can be recycled at a recycling centre. Please make sure that you don't need to return the gas bottle to where you purchased it. Often you will need to return the gas bottle to be refilled as the canister itself is only supplied as a rental.

General Waste

Regular general waste (residual waste) is non-hazardous waste that can't be recycled produced by businesses and households. General waste includes certain plastics, polythene, wood, plastic waste, contaminated food packaging, ceramics and crockery, glassware, sanitary products and nappies. Residual waste should go in your general waste bin at home. If you are looking for information about general waste for businesses, read more here.

Glass

You can recycle most of the glass that you find in day to day life. This includes bottles of all colours, food jars, jam jars and non-food jars such as aftershave and perfume bottles. These should go in your recycling bin at home. Please rinse out your bottles and jars before putting them in your recycling bins. Glass that can't be recycled includes glass cookware, drinking glasses and mirrors. These glass products should go in your general waste bin, or they can be donated to charity shops if in good condition.

H

Hardcore/Rubble

You can take hardcore and rubble to your local recycling centre. There are often limits on the amount of rubble you can take in one visit. Check with your local authorities beforehand to find out the limits. Any hardcore and rubble produced by tradespeople and builders is classed as business waste and can't be taken to council recycling facilities. Suppose the workers don't have a waste carriers licence. In that case, you will need a skip from a waste management company that has an upper tier waste carriers licence.

Hairdryers & Straighteners

Hairdryers and hair straighteners are electrical items that can be recycled at your nearest recycling centre, but, these can't be disposed of in your household recycling or general waste bin. If it is in good condition, you may want to donate it to a local charity shop.

I

Ink Cartridges

Printer ink cartridges can usually be dropped off at your local recycling facility or at specific drop-off points in office/stationery supply shops; they should not go in your rubbish or recycling bin at home. If you are a business used ink cartridges can mount up quickly, speak to us about a hassle-free solution for ink cartridge recycling.

Iron (Ferrous Metals)

Iron is found in all ferrous metals such as wrought iron, cast iron, steel and stainless steel. Many products made out these metals can be recycled in either your household recycling bin or at recycling centres and waste management companies such as ourselves pay you for scrap metal.

J

Jars (Glass)

Glass is widely recycled in household recycling collections. Rinsed out glass jars can go in your recycling bin at home or in bottle banks commonly found at recycling centres or in supermarket car parks.

Jewellery

Jewellery including gold, silver and other precious metals can be donated to charity shops. There are specialist services available to help you find a new home for your old jewellery such as recyclingforgoodcauses.org.

L

Laptops

Computers such as laptops are classed as WEEE waste, and they can be recycled at your local recycling centre. Plenty of charity shops will accept donations of working laptops. To protect your personal data and files, make sure you delete all your records and documents. See our computer recycling guide for more information.

M

Magazines

Magazines and catalogues, including telephone directories, can be recycled in your paper and cardboard bin at home along with many other paper products. You don't need to remove staples from magazines before putting them in the bin, but if there's any plastic packaging, this usually goes in your rubbish bin.

Mattress

Most, if not all councils have to offer a service for removing bulky waste items including mattresses, but the services they offer do cost, and they're often not cheap. If you have a large enough vehicle to transport it, you can take it to your local tip. If you're getting a new mattress delivered they might also offer a removal service for your old one.

Medicine

Medicine is categorised as clinical and will need to be stored in a yellow clinical waste bag, labelled and securely sealed. You can request a clinical waste collection on the Governments website, but there may be a charge for these services. Read more on gov.uk

Metals

The majority of metals that you encounter in everyday life can be recycled. Only radioactive metals like Uranium and Plutonium and toxic metals such as Lead and Mercury can't be recycled. Small household items, including tins, drinks cans, food tins and aerosol cans, can go in your recycling bins at home. For larger pieces of scrap metal, you can take these to your local recycling centre. As a waste management company, we also offer scrap metal recycling. Any scrap metal from paid construction work is classed as business waste, and you will either need a skip or a registered waste carrier to remove it.

Microwaves

Microwaves, because they are electrical products are classed as WEEE waste, and you cannot put these in your bin at home. To recycle a microwave, you can take it to your nearest recycling centre, where you can put it in the electrical waste receptacle. The metal and plastic will be recycled into new products. If you are getting rid of a microwave that still works, rather than taking it to a recycling centre, please donate it to a charity shop.

Mixed Paper & Card

Mixed paper and cardboard can go in your recycling bin at home for standard collection. Mixed paper and card is also regularly produced in commercial environments and in business. Commercial wheelie bin hire is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for recycling your paper and cardboard. For larger quantities, REL skips and roll on roll off skips are other great choices.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones, including modern smartphones, include many valuable recyclable materials such as glass and Copper. For example, the most common materials in the latest iPhone 11 range are recyclable, including glass, aluminium and stainless steel (Pro models). Even if the phones no longer work, there are still a lot of useful materials and elements. You can take old phones to your local recycling centre. For working mobile phones, you could give them to a friend or family member, donate them to a charity shop, sell them or make use of manufactures trade-in schemes for a discount of your next device.

Smartphone/iPhone Chargers

Phone chargers must not go in your general waste bin at home. Cables, wiring and any other wires used to charge electrical devices, such as smartphones and iPhones, are classed as WEEE waste. The manufacturer of the charger may have a return policy for recycling old chargers.

N

Newspaper

Newspaper is a valuable recyclable material, but only when it's clean. All clean newspaper should go in your recycling bin at home or in your recycling bins at work. Old newspaper can have many other great uses. It's excellent for cleaning windows, lining cat litter boxes, staring a fire and scrunched up its a great protective and more environmentally-friendly alternative to bubble wrap.

O

Oil

Cooking oils should not be poured down the sink because this can cause blockages in the pipes. Small amounts of cooking oils can go in your food waste bin, but larger quantities should be poured into an empty bottle and placed in your general waste bin once the contents have cooled.

Organic Waste

Organic waste at home should go into your food and garden waste at home. Another great way of preventing your organic waste ending up in landfill is home composting. Organic waste, including food will break down and produce high-quality compost for your garden plants.

P

Paint Tins

Tins of leftover paint cannot be put into your regular household rubbish bins. They also can not be poured down the drain. Empty metal paint tins can be recycled at recycling centres, but, unfortunately, empty plastic paint containers aren't yet widely recycled. Even though plastic paint containers aren't yet recycled your local recycling centre will be able to accept these for disposal. Pain tins must be empty because landfill sites don't take liquid or hazardous waste.

Paper Coffee Cups

Coffee cups are generally not accepted in household recycling collection schemes. Still, they can now be returned for recycling at some high street coffee store chains and drop-off points through the Valpak Recycling Scheme. Paper coffee cups can also be recycled in food and drink cartons banks at household recycling centres.

Petrol

Providing it is stored in a sealed container, you can take it to your local recycling facility. However, not all centres accept petrol, but if you ring up, they will be able to advise you about the best solution and where to take it.

Pet Waste

Pet waste including used cat litter and dog waste should be bagged separately and put in your general waste bin at home. Pet waste should not be put in your food and garden waste bin.

Plasterboard

If you have removed the plasterboard yourself in your own home, you can take it to your local recycling centre. However, if you've had some home improvement work done the plasterboard it is classed as business waste and can no longer be taken to household recycling centres. Contact us for help with plasterboard disposal services for business waste.

Plastic Bottles

Local authorities widely collect plastic bottles across the UK; plastic bottles should be emptied and be put in your recycling bin at home. You can also take them to your local recycling facility and bottle banks. Plastic bottles that can be recycled include drinks bottles, non-chemical cleaning product bottles, skip care product bottles, milk bottles and other common coloured and clear plastic bottles from around the home. Bottles that have contained chemicals are not accepted for recycling.

Plastics

The vast majority of local authorities throughout the UK now offer collection services for plastic recycling either through your household recycling collection or at recycling centres. You can recycle the majority of common household plastics but, there are many different types of plastic in use, and some still can't be recycled. We still require new technology before we are able to recycle more plastics effectively.

Polystyrene

Polystyrene should go in your general waste bin. This includes polystyrene takeaway containers, polystyrene cups & plates and polystyrene packaging. To save space in your bin break up larger pieces of polystyrene. Rather than throwing away polystyrene, you could reuse it to protect packages you send, or it could be used as drainage in the bottom of a plant pot.

Pyrex Glass

The difference between Pyrex glass and regular glass is that Pyrex is tempered glass used for cooking. It has been specially treated during the manufacturing process to withstand high temperatures from cooking; unfortunately, this makes it non-recyclable, unlike regular glass. Dispose of Pyrex cookware in your general waste bin, or if it's still in good condition, you can take this to a charity shop.

S

Scrap Metal

You can take scrap metal to a recycling centre but please do not put scrap metal in your recycling bin at home. Any waste produced by tradespeople or builders you have hired to make home improvements is classed as business waste and can't be disposed of at household waste recycling centres. We can help with skip hire for scrap metal. Call us on 01706823001 for more information.

Steel

You can take scrap metal, including steel to your local recycling centre but please do not put scrap steel in your recycling bin at home. Any waste produced by tradespeople or builders you have hired to make home improvements is classed as business waste and can't be disposed of at household waste recycling centres. We can help with skip hire for scrap metal. Call us on 01706823001 for more information.

Sofa

Most, if not all councils have to offer a service for removing bulky waste items including sofas, but the services they offer do cost, and they're often not cheap. If you have a large enough vehicle to transport it, you can take it to your local tip. If you're getting a new sofa delivered they might also offer a removal service for your old one. If it's still in good condition, you may be able to donate it to a charity shop.

Soil

Soil isn't accepted in household garden waste bins because the contents of the bins are used to produce compost. Adding soil to your garden waste bin can affect the compost that is produced because of contamination and other elements present in the soil. You can take it to the recycling centre providing it is bagged up.

Stones

Stones and large rocks can be heavy and difficult to dispose of when there is a large quantity. The ideal solution for the disposal of large amounts of rock and stones is hiring a builders skip. For industrial projects and demolition projects roll on roll off skip are better suited because of their larger sizes.

Straws

Straws have commonly been made of plastic, but recently we have been moving away from plastic straws in favour of paper straws. Plastic straws are harmful to the environment, wildlife and sealife. We suggest avoiding plastic straws where possible in favour of paper straws or reusable metal straws. Because of straws small diameter, it is unlikely they will be recycled as they tend to fall out during the process designed to remove small items of contamination.

Syringes

Syringes are categories as clinical waste, and because of the risk of injury, needles and syringes have to be disposed of using specialist waste services in 'sharps boxes'. These are yellow boxes made of hard plastic to ensure safe disposal. Get in touch with us for clinical waste disposal.

T

Textiles (Clothes)

There are many great and convenient ways to recycle and donate clothes. Councils often provide textile recycling solutions. You can also drop off any unwanted items at recycling points at clothing and textile banks commonly found in supermarket car parks. You can also donate clothes to charity shops and donation banks in retail stores such as Primark.

Timber

Wood and timber are not accepted in your household recycling bins, but you can take wood to your local recycling centre. Wood waste produced as a result of business activities cannot be taken to household recycling centres. As a waste management company, we can provide a skip for wood disposal, speak to us for professional business waste management solutions.

Televisions

Televisions are classed as WEEE waste and can not go in your household bins. You can take them to local recycling centres for safe disposal. Working TVs can be donated to charity shops or passed on to a family member or friend rather than recycling them just yet. Even broken televisions shouldn't be sent to landfill because of the large amounts of recyclable materials they contain, including glass, plastics and metals.

Tyres

Tyres can be disposed of at household waste recycling centres. However, there may be a limit to how many you can take, and you may also be charged for disposing of tyres. Contact your local authorities to find out more information about tyre disposal and recycling.

W

Washing Machines

To dispose of large electrical items like washing machines, you can take these to your nearest recycling centre, or if they are in working order, some charity shops will accept these as donations. Usually, when you're getting your new washing machine delivered, the retailer will be able to take away your old one for an additional fee. Your local council will also often provide a bulky item collection service for a fee.

WEEE (Electrical Equipment)

WEEE is electrical devices that have come to the "end of life". The majority of items using electricity, typically connected via a plug or battery, are included in this category and is classified as either household or non-household. The WEEE directive stipulates that manufacturers and retailers of electrical equipment are responsible for ensuring their products do not end up in landfill. You can take household WEEE to your local recycling centre. For business waste, speak to us for a hassle-free waste management solution.

Wood

Wood and timber are not accepted in your household recycling bins, but you can take wood to your local recycling centre. Wood waste produced as a result of business activities cannot be taken to household recycling centres. As a waste management company, we can provide a skip for wood disposal, speak to us for professional business waste management solutions.

Over 50 Years of Waste Management Experience

Waste Management & Recycling Services

Commercial Wheelie Bins

Wheelie bin hire is ideal for on-site management of commercial waste for many businesses. We provide wheelie bins in a variety of dimensions including 240, 660, 770 and 1100 litres.

Read More...

General Waste Collection

Helping businesses become more environmentally friendly and reduce their waste disposal cost by increasing recycling and diverting waste from landfill.

Read More...

Dry Mixed Recycling

Efficient zero-landfill recycling solutions for businesses throughout Greater Manchester and Lancashire. All your recyclables in one bin for hassle-free recycling

Read More...

Scrap Metal Recycling

At ISM Waste & Recycling we provide tailored recycling services for all types of ferrous and non-ferrous metals.

Read More...

Recycle with Ease; Enquire About Our Recycling Services!

Get a free waste management quote today and find out how we can help your business be more environmentally friendly.

Call Us Today for a FREE Quote

For further help, get in touch with our friendly team today for free expert advice about waste management and recycling solutions! We are happy to help with any queries that you may have and any of our other business waste management services, and we can provide a free, no-obligation quote. Call us today on 0161 823001 to see how much more of your waste can be diverted from landfill sites and how much you could save on your waste disposal bills.

All Recycling Recycling Types