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Bin colours UK

Bin colours explained: what goes in each bin

There's no single colour code for bins in the UK. A brown bin can mean garden waste in one area and cans and glass in the next. Here's what each colour usually means, and how to check yours.

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Your bins, your council

See your bins and bin days in the Loci app

Pop in your postcode to check Loci works where you live. Then download the free app to see your bin days and get a reminder the night before.
Bin day reminder on the Loci app

Why recycling bin colours change from council to council

two neighbouring streets with different coloured bins

Each council picks its own

Councils choose their own bins and decide what goes in each one, so there's no single rule across the UK.

Each council picks its own

Next door can be different

In Greater Manchester alone, a brown bin takes cans, glass and plastic in Manchester, but food and garden waste in Rochdale and Tameside.

Next door can be different

Check the lid as well

Some councils use the lid to tell bins apart. In Rochdale, the mixed recycling bin is light green with a blue lid, and the general waste bin is dark green.

Check the lid as well

Colour by colour

What each bin colour usually means

Use this as a starting point, then check your council's website. Your council's rules always win.

Never miss a bin day again. Download Loci today 

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Your bins, sorted for your address

Loci gets your collection days from your council's published schedule and reminds you the night before. Not sure which bin something goes in? Ask AI search, which answers using your council's own website and links to the page it used. It's free on iPhone and Android. 

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Bin day reminder on the Loci app

Residents guides 

More bin guides 

Answers to the bin questions residents ask most. 

What can go in your recycling bin?
What can go in your recycling bin?

What goes in, what stays out and why the rules change between councils.

Read the guide  tail-right

Which bin goes out this week?
Which bin goes out this week?

Alternate weeks, colour weeks and week A or B, explained.

Read the guide  tail-right

Food waste collections
Food waste collections

How your food caddy works and what goes in it.

Read the guide  tail-right

Garden waste collections
Garden waste collections

How garden waste subscriptions work and when collections run.

Read the guide  tail-right

Find your bin collection calendar
Find your bin collection calendar

Where to find your collection dates and how to keep up with changes.

Read the guide tail-right

All bin guides
All bin guides

Every bin and recycling guide in one place, plus your council's page.

See all guides  tail-right

Bin colours: your questions answered

There isn't one UK colour code. Black or grey is often used for general waste and blue for recycling, but green, brown and other colours mean different things in different areas. Your council's website shows what each of your bins is for.

Your local community app

Your bins, bin days and council services for your area, free in one app.

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