A to Z of waste and recyclable items
Our A to Z of waste and recyclable items helps you find the right way to dispose of items.
It's important to put your waste items in the right bin – it helps save money and makes sure we can empty all your bins.
We are currently providing small food bins for all houses in the borough. If you've not yet received your food bin, use your green/grey bin for any item listed as 'Food' under 'Which bin?' below.
Some items can't be collected from household bins, so we've suggested alternatives for you.
There may be an even better way to dispose of items, such as taking them to a charity shop or a re-use organisation, or by home composting. Re-use organisations will accept the same items as charity shops.
Other alternatives include booking a bulky waste collection from your home, or taking items to the Linford Household Waste and Recycling Centre (HWRC). Bulky waste from Thurrock households will also be accepted at the Linford site. You can find your nearest recycling banks by searching the Recycle Now website
| Item | Which bin? | Even better | Alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerosols | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Aluminium foil | Blue | ||
| Aluminium food containers | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Animal bedding | Green/Grey | ||
| Animal faeces - must be bagged | Green/Grey | ||
| Armchairs | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Art and craft materials - new | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Asbestos | None | Special | |
| Ashes | Green/Grey | ||
| Baby wipes | Green/Grey | ||
| Batteries (car) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Batteries (household) | None | Special | |
| Bed settees | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Bed sheets | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Beds | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Belts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Bicycles | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Bin liners (non-compostable or compostable) | Green/Grey | ||
| Birthday cards | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Biscuit wrappers | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | Special |
| Black bin liners | Green/Grey | ||
| Blankets | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Blenders | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Blinds | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Blister packs (tablets) | Green/Grey | ||
| Blouses | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Boilers | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Bones | Food | ||
| Bookcases | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Books | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Bottle tops (metal) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Bottle tops (plastic) | Blue | ||
| Bowls (ceramic) | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Bowls (glass or hard plastic) | Blue | Charity shop | |
| Bowls (Pyrex) | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Bows and ribbons - new | None | Charity shop | |
| Bows and ribbons - used | Green/Grey | ||
| Branches (over 10cm diameter) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Branches (under 10cm in diameter) | Brown | Linford HWRC | |
| Bread | Food | ||
| Bread bags | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | Special |
| Brita filter cartridges | None | Special | |
| Brochures | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Bubble wrap | Blue | Special | |
| Buckets (all metal) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Buckets (all plastic) | Green/Grey | ||
| Buckets (plastic with metal handle) | Green/Grey | ||
| Building waste | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Bureaus | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Candles | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Cans | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Caps (hats) | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Cardboard | Blue | Linford HWRC | |
| Cards | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Carpet or carpet tiles | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Carrier bags | Green/Grey | Special | |
| Cartons (Tetra Pak) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Cassette tape cases | Green/Grey | ||
| Cassette tapes | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Cat faeces - must be bagged | Green/Grey | ||
| Cat food pouches | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | |
| Catalogues (hard backed) | Blue | Linford HWRC | |
| Catalogues (soft backed) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| CD cases (hard plastic) | Blue | ||
| CDs | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Cellophane | Green/Grey | ||
| Cereal boxes | Blue | ||
| Cereal inner bags | Green/Grey | Special | |
| Chairs and stools | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Chest of drawers | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Children's bicycles | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Chocolate wrappers | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | Special |
| Christmas cards, with any glitter torn off | Blue | ||
| Christmas trees (artificial) | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Christmas trees (real) | Brown | Linford HWRC | |
| Christmas wrapping (metallic) | Green/Grey | ||
| Christmas wrapping (paper) | Blue | ||
| Cigarette butts | Green/Grey | ||
| Cling film | Green/Grey | Special | |
| Clinical waste | None | Special | |
| Clothes (excluding shoes) - good condition | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Clothes (excluding shoes) - poor condition | None | Recycling bank | |
| Clothes hangers | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Clothes pegs (wooden or plastic) | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Coat hangers | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Coats | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Coffee grounds | Food | ||
| Computers | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Concrete | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Cooked fish | Food | ||
| Cookers (electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Cookers (gas) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Cooking fat (solid or semi-solid) | Green/Grey | ||
| Cooking oil - must be in a plastic bottle | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Cooking pots and pans | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Corks | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Cotton buds | Green/Grey | ||
| Cotton wool | Green/Grey | ||
| Crisp packets | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | Special |
| Crisp tubes | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | |
| Crockery - broken | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Crockery - good condition | None | Charity shop | |
| Curtain rings | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Curtains | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Cutlery | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Dairy products (food) | Food | ||
| Dead animals | None | Special | |
| Desks | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Dish cloths | Green/Grey | ||
| Dishwashers | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Disposable nappies | Green/Grey | ||
| DIY building waste | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Dog faeces - must be bagged | Green/Grey | ||
| Doors (not wooden) | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Doors (wooden) | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Dresses | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Dressing tables | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Drink cans | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Drink cartons | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Drinking glasses | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Drinking straws (paper) | Blue | ||
| Drinking straws (plastic) | Green/Grey | ||
| Duvet covers | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Duvets | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| DVD cases (plastic) | Blue | ||
| DVDs | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Egg boxes (cardboard) | Blue | ||
| Egg boxes (plastic) | Blue | ||
| Egg boxes (polystyrene) | Green/Grey | ||
| Egg shells | Food | ||
| Elastic bands | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Electric fires (not surrounds) | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Electrical items - broken | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Electrical items - still working | None | Charity shop | |
| Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Envelopes | Blue | ||
| Exercise equipment | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Extractor fans | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Felt-tip pens | Green/Grey | ||
| Fencing - whole or broken up | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Flower pots (ceramic) | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Flower pots (plastic, any colour except black) | Blue | Re-use organisation | |
| Flower pots (plastic, black) | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Flowers | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Fluorescent tubes (light bulbs) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Foil from cigarette packets | Blue | ||
| Food | Food | Home composting | |
| Food and drink cartons | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Food cans | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Food tins | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Food-stained cardboard | Green/Grey | ||
| Food-stained paper | Green/Grey | ||
| Food-stained paper towel | Green/Grey | ||
| Freezers | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Fridge freezers | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Fridges | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Frozen vegetable bags | Green/Grey | Special | |
| Fruit | Food | Home composting | |
| Fruit nets | Green/Grey | ||
| Fruit peelings | Food | Home composting | |
| Frying pans | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Furniture | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Garden furniture | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Garden materials (organic) | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Gas bottles | None | Special | |
| Gas fires | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Glass bottles (brown) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Glass bottles (clear) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Glass bottles (green) | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Glass jars | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Glasses (eye glasses, spectacles) | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Glitter or card with glitter | Green/Grey | ||
| Grass | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Greetings cards, with any glitter torn off | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Hair | Green/Grey | ||
| Hairdryers | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Handbags | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Hard toys or games (large) | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Hard toys or games (small) | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Hats | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Hay - clean | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Hay - dirty | Green/Grey | ||
| Hedge clippings | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Hobs | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Holiday brochures | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Hoovers | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Hot chocolate tub | Green/Grey | ||
| Household batteries | None | Special | |
| Incontinence pads | Green/Grey | ||
| Inhalers | Green/Grey | ||
| Ironing boards | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| J-cloths | Green/Grey | ||
| Jackets | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Japanese Knotweed | None | Special | |
| Jar lids | Blue | ||
| Jeans | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Jiffy bag | Green/Grey | ||
| Junk mail | Blue | ||
| Kettles | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Kitchen knives | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Kitchen paper towel - food-stained | Green/Grey | ||
| Kitchen paper towel - stained, not food | Green/Grey | ||
| Kitchen pots and pans | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Kitchen units | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Latex gloves | Green/Grey | ||
| Leaflets | Blue | ||
| Leaves | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Leggings | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Light bulb (fluorescent tube) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Light bulbs (low energy) | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Light bulbs (not low energy) | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Lino | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Magazines | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Mattresses | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Meat | Food | ||
| Medicine (tablets or liquids) | None | Special | |
| Microwaves | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Mirrors | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Mobile phones | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Monitor (computer) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Musical instruments | None | Charity shop | Bulky waste collection |
| Nappies (disposable) | Green/Grey | ||
| Newspapers | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Nightdresses | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Nut shells | Food | Home composting | |
| Nuts and bolts | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Office paper | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Oil (all types) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Ovens (electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Ovens (gas) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Paint tins | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Pamphlets | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Pans - kitchen | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Paper | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Paper cups (waxed) | Green/Grey | ||
| Pegs (wooden or plastic) | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Petrol | None | Special | |
| Petrol can (empty) | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Photographs | Blue | ||
| Pillows | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Plasterboard | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Plasters | Green/Grey | ||
| Plastic bottle lids | Blue | ||
| Plastic bottles | Blue | ||
| Plastic carrier bags | Green/Grey | Special | |
| Plastic cups | Blue | ||
| Plastic food containers - clean | Blue | ||
| Plastic ready meal trays - clean | Blue | ||
| Plastic sandwich containers | Blue | ||
| Plastic storage boxes | Blue | Charity shop | |
| Plate scrapings | Food | ||
| Polo shirts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Polystyrene | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Pot noodle lids | Blue | ||
| Pot noodle pots | Blue | ||
| Pots - garden (ceramic) | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Pots - garden (plastic, any colour except black) | Blue | Re-use organisation | |
| Pots - garden (plastic, black) | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Pots - kitchen | None | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Pringles tubes | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | |
| Printer | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Printer cartridges | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Pyjamas | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Pyrex | Green/Grey | ||
| Radiators | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Rags - clean | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Rags - dirty | Green/Grey | ||
| Razor blades | Green/Grey | ||
| Ribbons and bows - new | None | Charity shop | |
| Ribbons and bows - used | Green/Grey | ||
| Rice packets | Green/Grey | ||
| Rubber gloves | Green/Grey | ||
| Sandals | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Sanitary products | Green/Grey | ||
| Sanitary towels | Green/Grey | ||
| Sanitary waste - infectious | None | Special | |
| Sanitary waste - not infectious | Green/Grey | ||
| Scarves | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Serviettes (cloth) | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Serviettes (paper) | Blue | ||
| Settees | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Sewing machines (electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Sewing machines (not electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Shells from shellfish | Food | ||
| Shirts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Shoes - good condition | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Shoes - poor condition | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Shredded paper - loose, not in bags | Blue | ||
| Sideboards | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Silver foil | Blue | ||
| Sinks | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Skirts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Socks | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Sofas | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Soft toys | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Soil | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Spectacles | Green/Grey | ||
| Spin dryers | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Sponges | Green/Grey | Re-use organisation | |
| Stereos | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Stoma bags | None | Special | |
| Stones | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Stones from fruit | Food | ||
| Stools and chairs | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Straw - clean | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Straw - dirty | Green/Grey | ||
| Straws (paper, for drinking) | Blue | ||
| Straws (plastic, for drinking) | Green/Grey | ||
| Suites (three piece) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Suits | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Sweat shirts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Sweaters | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Sweet wrappers | Green/Grey | TerraCycle | |
| Swimming costumes | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Syringes (no needle) | Green/Grey | ||
| Syringes (with hypodermic needle) | None | Special | |
| T-shirts | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Tables | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tea bags | Food | Home composting | |
| Tea leaves | Food | Home composting | |
| Telephone directories | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Televisions | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tetra Pak packaging | Blue | Recycling bank | |
| Textiles - good condition | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Textiles - poor condition | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Three piece suites | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Ties | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Tiles - broken | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Tiles - good condition | None | Charity shop | |
| Timber (treated) | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Tin foil | Blue | ||
| Tin lids | Blue | ||
| Tins | Blue | ||
| Tissues - used | Green/Grey | ||
| Toasters | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Toilets | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tools (electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tools (not electric) | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Toothbrushes | Green/Grey | ||
| Toothpaste tubes | Green/Grey | ||
| Towels | None | Re-use organisation | Linford HWRC |
| Toys (hard) - good condition | None | Charity shop | |
| Toys (hard) - poor condition | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Tracksuits | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Trainers | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Trousers | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Tumble dryers | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tupperware | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Turf | Brown | Linford HWRC | |
| TVs | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Tyres | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Underlay | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Underwear | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Vacuum cleaners | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Vacuum dust | Green/Grey | ||
| Vapes | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Vegetable peelings | Food | Home composting | |
| Vegetables | Food | Home composting | |
| Video cases (cardboard) | Blue | ||
| Video cases (plastic) | Green/Grey | ||
| Video cassettes | Green/Grey | Charity shop | |
| Waistcoats | None | Charity shop | Recycling bank |
| Wallpaper | Green/Grey | Linford HWRC | |
| Wardrobes | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Washing machines | None | Re-use organisation | Bulky waste collection |
| Watering cans | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |
| Wax | Green/Grey | ||
| Waxed paper or card | Green/Grey | ||
| Weeds | Brown | Home composting | Linford HWRC |
| Window glass | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Windows | None | Bulky waste collection | |
| Wires | None | Linford HWRC | |
| Wood (processed) | Green/Grey | Bulky waste collection | |
| Wrapping paper | Blue | ||
| Yellow Pages | Blue | ||
| Yoghurt pots | Blue | ||
| Zips | Green/Grey | Charity shop | Linford HWRC |