Recycling A to Z

Our website is full of information on what you can recycle and where, but if you can't find what you're looking for, try this page.

Useful links:

• Household Waste and Recycling Sites (Leicestershire County Council)
• Recycling Banks (textiles, paper, glass, aluminium and steel cans, books and music)
• Home Composting Information
• Junk Mail Information (Contacting the Mail Preference Service).
• Kerbside Recycling Collections

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A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H	I	J	K	L	M	N	O	P	Q	R	S	T	U	V	W	X	Y	Z

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A

Aerosols - These can be recycled in your red boxes. More on aerosol recycling.

Aluminium cans - Look for the ALU sign. These can be recycled in our can banks or in your red box. More on aluminium recycling.

Aluminium foil - Aluminium foil can be recycled in the red box if it's clean. It can only be recycled if it passes the "scrunch test" - this is when scrunched up it does not spring back. Plastic coated foil such as crisp packets cannot be recycled in the red box, but can be recycled via TerraCycle's scheme. Find out more and locate your nearest drop off point More on aluminium recycling.

Asbestos - Asbestos is a hazardous material so care must been taken when handling and transporting it. Cement bonded asbestos can be disposed at Coalville Household Waste and Recycling Site although a permit is required (25 sheets maximum).

B

Batteries - We provide a household battery collection, please put your batteries in a recyclable container with a lid and put it out next to your red boxes. We will recycle the container you put them in and send the batteries to be recycled. All shops that sell more than 32kg of batteries a year also have to provide a place for residents to drop them off. So when you go to buy some more batteries, take your old ones back. Car batteries can be recycled at any of the Leicestershire County Council Recycling and Household Waste Sites.

Bed linen - Pillow cases, sheets, blankets etc. can be recycled in our textile banks. We also provide a household collection of dry, clean sheets and linen. Please put them in a carrier bag (no charity bags or black bags please) and put it out next to your red boxes. Please tie the top to stop any water getting in.

Black plastic - We can accept black plastic food packaging such as meat/fish trays, fruit punnets and ready meal trays in the red box.

Blister packs - These can be recycled in the red box with your plastics, cans, tins and foil. Please try to tear off as much off the foil as you can to help during the recycling process. They can also be recycled at pharmacies participating in the TerraCycle Medicine Packet Recycling Programme.

Books - Books can be donated to charity shops or taken to our book banks . Don't forget you can also borrow books from your local library or try book swapping or book crossing.

Bric-a-brac - Good quality household items that are no longer needed can be donated to charity shops.

Bubble wrap - If it cannot be reused, this can be recycled with plastic carrier bags and film at many large supermarkets (usually in the car park).

C

Car batteries - see batteries.

Cardboard - cardboard can be recycled in the yellow bag.

Cards (greetings) - can be recycled in the yellow bag.

Carrier bags - We can't collect and recycle carrier bags due to the issues they cause at our recycling depot. You can recycle them at most large supermarkets. Find out what you can recycle at these points.

Don't forget you can also reuse your carrier bags (e.g. next time you go shopping or as bin bags etc). Many supermarkets also have "bag for life" schemes where you can purchase a better quality bag for a small fee and have it replaced when needed.

Cartons / Tetra Paks - We can't collect cartons/Tetra Paks in your household recycling collections as they are made from a mix of paperboard, plastic and foil. The recycling companies who collect our cardboard and plastics are unable to separate and recycle these materials. However, they can be taken to a special recycling bank at Tesco in Ashby. Simply rinse out the cartons, flatten them and pop them in the bank. We're working to make more Tetra Pak recycling banks available throughout the district as part of Recycle more.

Cassettes - Old music cassettes can given to charity shops or put in our book and music banks.

Cat food pouches - Please see advice regarding pet food pouches.

Catalogues - Catalogues can be recycled in the blue bag or at paper banks Please remove any hard-back covers and put in the yellow bag (e.g. Next Directory hard-back covers).

CDs - CD's can be donated to charity shops or put in our book and music banks. Don't forget you can also rent CD's from your local library.

Ceramics and china - These types of items can be donated to charity shops or jumble sales. If broken they could be repaired (try China and Glassware Repairs in Yellow Pages ) or used for drainage in plant pots.

Child car seats - Baby/child car seats should be taken to a Household Waste and recycling Site. They can be reused but please check the manufacturers safety guidance on how many years a child seat should be used for.

Christmas cards - You can recycle your Christmas cards in the yellow bags along with your cardboard.

Christmas trees - Real Christmas trees can be recycled as garden waste. Please put the tree inside your garden bin. The bin lid should be fully closed so you may need to cut/trim the tree for it to fit. You can also take it to one of Leicestershire County Council's Household Waste and recycling Sites.

Clothes - These can be left in a carrier bags(s) (not charity bags, as legally we cannot collect them) next to the red box. You can also donate textiles to charity shops, or take them to textile banks.

Coffee pods - Aluminium coffee pods can be recycled in the red box with your plastic, cans and tins - as long as they are completely made of aluminium. Please give them a quick rinse first. Foil lids/seals can be recycled in the red box too but any plastic film lids/seals will need to be put in the black bin. Podback also offer a service where you can request a bag to fill with your aluminium or plastic coffee pods and take it to a Collect+ drop off point so it can be sent for recycling.

Coins - Old and foreign coins can be donated to Help the Aged , Oxfam and the British Red Cross.

Corkboard - This can be recycled at some of the Household Waste and Recycling Sites.

Compost bags - empty compost bags can be recycled at some garden centres, including all Dobbies Garden Centres. 

Compostable bags - These cannot be composted in your garden bin as the facility your garden waste is sent to does not accept them. You can find out more here.

Crisp packets - these can be taken to one of TerraCycle's collection points to be recycled. Take a look at drop off locations for the Walker's scheme and the KP Snacks scheme. Crisp packets can also be recycled alongside carrier bags and plastic film at most supermarkets that offer this service. It's always best to check with your local supermarket first. 

Cushions - Dunelm offers a take back scheme for cushions, pillows, duvets and bedding, find out more.

D

Directories - White directories such at Thomson's and the BT Phone Book can be recycled at paper banks or in your blue bag. For Yellow Pages see separate entry.

Dog food pouches - Please see advice regarding pet food pouches.

Domestic electrical appliances (large and small) - If these cannot be repaired they can be taken to the Household Waste and Recycling Site or they can be collected via our Bulky Household Collection Service . N.B. When buying appliances look for the energy rating (A is the most efficient and G is the least efficient).

Duvets - Dunelm offers a take back scheme for duvets, pillows, cushions and bedding, find out more. Some animal charities or a neighbour may also be able to use them as pet bedding.

E

Egg boxes - cardboard egg boxes can be recycled in the yellow bag. They are also brilliant for home composting.

Egg shells - Egg shells can be home composted. The shell material helps to balance acidic material creating a good environment for worms.

Electrical appliances - see Domestic electrical appliances.

Envelopes - White and coloured envelopes can be recycled in the blue bag, there's no need to remove the plastic windows. Please recycle brown envelopes in the yellow bag with your cardboard. Find out why.

F

Food waste - Vegetable peelings, fruit, tea bags etc. can all be home composted. Food waste cannot be collected with our garden waste collections, as it requires specialist facilities to compost it commercially. We are currently trialling food waste collections with 2,000 households in Measham and surrounding villages.

Fridges and freezers - These can either be taken to the Household Waste and Recycling Sites or picked up via our Bulky Waste Collection Service. N.B Some retailers now also take back your old fridge or freezer when you buy a new one - ask if this service is available.

Furniture - Good quality furniture can be donated to charity. Try the Marlene Reid Centre in Coalville (telephone 01530 510515). Furniture can also be collected for disposal via our bulky waste collection service.

G

Garden waste - This can be home composted or put in the brown lidded bins for collection. Garden Waste can also be taken to the Household Waste and Recycling Sites
 

Gas cylinders - If a cylinder is no longer needed it should be returned to a local dealer of the company owning the cylinder. Most cylinders carry the name of the owner company on them.

Glass bottles - Glass bottles and glass jars can be recycled in the red box or at glass banks throughout the district.

Globe light (from solar lighting) - The glass globe on garden solar lights cannot be put in your red box for recycling. This item will need to be taken to a Recycling and Household Waste Site or disposed of in your black bin.

Greeting cards - can be recycled in the yellow bag.

H

Hazardous waste - Including chemicals, pesticides, cleaning fluids etc. Please apply for a Household Chemical Waste Permit. These are free of charge from Leicestershire County Council. Please see separate entry under 'A' for Asbestos Disposal. For disposal of medicines please speak to your local chemist or surgery.

I

J

Junk mail - This can be recycled in the blue bag. To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive please contact the Mail Preference Service. Please recycle any brown envelopes in the yellow bag - find out why.

K

Kitchen oil - Kitchen oil can be disposed of at the Household waste and Recycling Sites.

Kitchen waste - See Food Waste.

L

Light bulbs - Ordinary incandescent light bulbs can be put in the black bin. Any fluorescent or energy saving light bulbs will need to be taken to a Recycling and Household Waste Site. This is becuase they may contain mercury, which can be harmful to the environment. If you don't already, try switching to energy efficient light bulbs. Each energy efficient bulb can reduce your lighting cost by £10 per year. Energy efficient lightbulbs also last 12 times longer than ordinary light bulbs.

M

Magazines - Please recycle these in the blue bag or at a paper bank.

Medical aids (including wheelchairs) - If these can't be returned to the hospital they came from then they can be donated to the British Red Cross for their national loan service. Un-needed hearing aids can be donated to Help the Aged.

Mobile phones - There are lots of options for recycling your mobile phone. You can put it in a recyclable container with a lid (e.g. a plastic takeaway tub), and leave it out next to your red boxes. If accessible, please remove the battery and recycle this separately. Mobile phones can also be taken back to suppliers, taken to some supermarkets, taken to the Household Waste and Recycling Sites or there are a number of charities who collect them and also Envirofone collect them.

N

Nappies - Disposable nappies take up lots of space in landfill and in your bin. Real Nappies have a lot to offer and not just for the environment. Leicestershire County Residents also get £30 cash back on buying or laundering costs.

Newspapers - These can be recycled in the blue bag or in a paper bank.

O

Oil - Engine oil can be disposed of at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites.

Oil (kitchen) - Kitchen oil can be disposed of at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites.

P

Paint - Wherever possible it is best to buy only enough paint for the job you are doing or to reuse old paint for odd jobs. Empty or dried up paint tins can be disposed of at Whetstone Household Waste and Recycling Site, near Leicester - you will need a waste permit before you visit. For further paint disposal enquires please contact the County Council.

Paper - Paper, newspapers, magazines, junk mail, notepaper etc. can all be recycled in the blue bag or at a paper bank. Brown paper should be recycled in the yellow bag with your cardboard. Find out why.

Paper cups - These cannot be recycled in your yellow bag. Please recycle them with cartons at one of our mini recycling sites. Some coffee shops will take their cups back to be recycled - check with your local coffee shop. 

Pet food pouches - Cat and dog food pouches cannot be recycled in the red box. However clean pouches can be recycled alongside carrier bags and plastic film at most supermarkets that offer this service. It's always best to check with your local supermarket first.

Photographs - old photographs cannot be recycled due to the chemicals used in the printing process. Someone in your local community or school may like them for use in an arts or craft project. If they cannot be reused, they can be put in the black bin.

Pillows - Dunelm offers a take back scheme for pillows, cushions, duvets and bedding, find out more.  Some animal charities or a neighbour may also be able to use them as pet bedding.

Pizza boxes - If not contaminated with food waste and grease, these can go in the yellow bag. More on cardboard recycling.

Plant pots - We can only accept taupe coloured plastic plant pots in the red box as they have been specially designed to be recyclable. Find out more here. Black, red and terracotta plant pots must be put in your black bin. If they can be reused, your local garden centre may take them.

Plastic film and carrier bags - Many of the larger supermarkets have plastic film and carrier bag recycling points. Find out what you can recycle at these points. Don't forget that you can also reuse your carrier bags!

Plastics - Plastic Bottles such as pop bottles, shampoo bottles, plastic milk bottles, household cleaners, cooking oil bottles, mineral water, squash, ready meal trays (including black trays) etc. can all be recycled in the red box or at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites. More on plastics recycling (including why we can't recyce other types of plastic at the moment).

Plastic vending cups - Offices who use plastic cups from vending machines for tea and coffee may be able to recycle them with other types of plastics.

Pringles / crisp tubes - you can recycle these alongside Tetra Paks / Cartons at a special recycling back at Tesco in Ashby.

Printer cartridges - Many cartridges can be sent back to the supplier for reuse. There are also a number of companies that will refill printer cartridges or reuse them. A number of charities also collect them to raise funds.

Polystyrene - Polystyrene cannot be recycled at the kerbside, therefore please dispose of it in your black bin. For large pieces of polystyrene please break it down so it does not become jammed in your bin when we empty it. Alternatively, you can dispose of it at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites in the general waste skip.

Q

R

Records (LPs) - These can be donated to charity shops or put into a book and music bank.

S

Scrap metal - Scrap metal can be recycled at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites or via a scrap metal merchant.

Stamps - Oxfam can find a home for postage stamps Once you have collected a bag full just pop them into your local Oxfam shop.

Shoes - Shoes can be donated to charity shops or put into a textile bank . Don't forget shoes can also be repaired (re-heeled etc).

Steel cans - Steel cans are those which will stick to a magnet. Steel cans can be recycled in the red box or in a can bank.

Spectacles - These can be donated for use in developing countries. Unwanted glasses can be taken to Help the Aged shops, Oxfam or Donald and Aitchison opticians.

T

Tetra Paks - We can't collect Tetra Paks / cartons in your household recycling collections as they are made from a mix of paperboard, plastic and foil. There are currently no facilities for Tetra Pak recycling in North West Leicestershire however we're working to make more Tetra Pak recycling banks available throughout the district as part of the Recycle more plan.

Textiles - These can be left in a carrier bags(s) (not charity bags, as legally we cannot collect them) next to the red box. Charity shops and textile banks are also able to take clothes, bed linen, blankets, curtains, hats etc. Damaged clothing can be cut up and used for cleaning cloths.

Toys and Games - These can be donated to charity shops and jumble sales. You could also ask if they are needed by local doctors surgeries, playgroups and community groups.

TerraCycle also offer a recycling scheme for Hasbro toys and games.

Tyres - Rubber has been banned from landfill since 2003, and it's not just tyres. Anything made from rubber has to be kept away from landfill. So most mechanics and garages that fit tyres will take away your old ones for which there may be a small charge for. 

U

V

Vaping units - Please take vaping units (disposable and re-chargable) to a Recycling and Household Waste Site. Here they can be placed with other small domestic appliances but all gas canisters and/or chemicals must be removed first. Please do not put them in your black bin as they are a fire risk.

Vegetable peelings - Vegetable peelings are ideal for home composting.

Vegetable oil - Vegetable oil can be disposed of at the Household Waste and Recycling Sites.

Videos - These can be donated to local charity shops or put in our book and music banks. Don't forget that you can also rent videos instead of buying them.

W

Wood - Certain types of wood can be recycled at Recycling and Household Waste Sites. Good reusable pieces of timber from old buildings may be of interest to architectural salvage companies. See Salvage and Reclamation in the Yellow Pages .

Wood dye (water based) - Water based wood dye should be disposed of at Whetstone Recycling and Household Waste Site, near Leicester. This site is run by Leicestershire County Council.

Wrapping paper - wrapping paper can be put in the blue bag if it passes the scrunch test. Try scrunching your wrapping paper into a ball, if it stays scrunched it can go in the blue bag. If it springs back, it has plastic content and should go in the black bin. Please put brown wrapping paper in the yellow bag with your cardboard. Find out why.

X

Y

Yellow Pages - Yellow Pages can be recycled in the yellow bag or at any paper bank.

Z