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What can go in your recycling bin

What goes in your recycling bin? A UK guide

Most recycling bins take paper, card, cans, plastic bottles and pots, and often glass. What can be recycled still changes from council to council, so here's what usually goes in, the tricky items people get wrong, and how to check yours.

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Family recycling Loci
Recycling day

Get your recycling day 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.

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What can be recycled in most areas

Paper and card

Newspapers, post, envelopes and flattened boxes. Keep it clean and dry.

Paper and card

Plastic bottles

Drinks, shampoo, cleaning and milk bottles. Empty them first.

Plastic bottles

Pots, tubs and trays

Yoghurt pots, margarine tubs and food trays, rinsed.

Pots, tubs and trays

Cans and tins

Food tins and drinks cans, empty and rinsed.

Cans and tins

Glass bottles and jars

Rinsed bottles and jars, if your council collects glass. Some ask for a separate box.

Glass bottles and jars

Foil and aerosols

Clean foil scrunched into a ball, foil trays and empty aerosols.

Foil and aerosols

The tricky ones

Can you recycle it? The items people get wrong

These are the items people search for most. Some can't be recycled at all, and some depend on your council.

Not sure? Check before it goes in - search in Loci

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Can I recycle this? Ask Loci

Recycling rules change from council to council, so a general answer isn't always right. Ask AI search in Loci and it answers using your council's own website, with links to the pages it used. Loci also reminds you the night before recycling day. 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. 

Bin colours explained
Bin colours explained

What each bin colour usually means, and why it changes between councils.

Read the guide  tail-right

Simpler Recycling explained
Simpler Recycling explained

What the new recycling rules in England mean for your bins.

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

Christmas bin collections
Christmas bin collections

How Christmas changes your bin days, and what to do with wrapping paper.

Read the guide  tail-right

Bulky waste collection
Bulky waste collection

How to book your council's service, and other ways to get rid of large items.

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

Recycling: your questions answered

Most recycling bins take paper, card, plastic bottles, pots, tubs and trays, cans, tins, clean foil and empty aerosols. Many also take glass bottles and jars. Your council's list is the final word, so check it if you're unsure.

Your local community app

Recycling day reminders, answers about your bins and council services for your area, free in one app.

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