Warwickshire Direct
A-Z of recycling
Welcome to the A-Z of recycling, an on-line directory of recycling information for Warwickshire. If you would like a hard copy please contact us with your postal address. Copies are also available at your local library.
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
P
Paint
Waste such as paint has to be disposed of in a specific way, in order to prevent harm to the environment. Don't pour paint down the drain.
- Donate unwanted paints and varnishes, as others can reuse them;
- Look for disposal or recycling instructions on the packaging of the product;
- Buy products in bulk whenever possible to reduce packaging waste;
- Use eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible.
Reuse
Community RePaint is a network of paint reuse schemes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The purpose of the project is to collect leftover reusable paint from householders, and redistribute it to those who need paint but cannot afford it. The Community RePaint site will tell you more about the scheme and help you find your nearest RePaint scheme.
Disposal
If your paint is unsuitable for reuse and you wish to dispose of it, please be aware that you will need to complete a chemical waste form. Please note that only Princes Drive in Leamington Spa is licensed to accept this type of waste.
Paper
Recycling is the accepted best practical environmental option for waste paper, even accounting for the resources used and pollutants produced in collection and reprocessing. The main environmental benefits are summarised below:
- The manufacture of virgin paper is highly energy demanding, and produces large amounts of air and water pollutants. In comparison, producing recycled paper requires around 28% lower energy consumption, and involves greatly less chemical treatment.
- Recovering paper for recycling reduces the quantity going to landfill.
- Although the majority of timber and pulp is imported from managed forests in Scandinavia and North America, a significant quantity also derives from a wide range of countries and forest types. It is well established that some forest clearance for pulp is environmentally damaging. This has major ecological consequences, including reduction in species and structural diversity and acidification of soil.
Paper recycling facilities are available at:
- most local supermarkets;
- Household Waste Recycling Centres;
- kerbside collection in all areas.
For more information contact your local District or Borough Council.
Pillows
If the pillow is in good condition take it to your nearest charity shop or offer them on Community Freebay or Freegle. Don't forget that feathers can be composted!
Plastic
Plastic recycling facilities are available at all of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire. Before visiting the site please remove any lids from bottles, and wash and squash the plastic to reduce odours and increase the loads collected. Your district or borough council is responsible for the kerbside collection of plastic.
The Household Waste Recycling Centres in Warwickshire collect PET (No1 e.g. soft drinks) and HDPE (No2 e.g. milk) plastic bottles only. The majority of plastic bottles produced are made from one of the above plastics, however there are certain exceptions.
According to the Environment Agency, nearly 3 million tonnes of waste plastic are produced in the UK each year, only 7% of which is recycled. There are a number of reasons why we should recycle our plastic:
- It accounts for 11% of the waste stream which, if recycled, would result in a vast reduction in the amount of rubbish going to landfill;
- Plastic is believed to take around 500 years to decompose;
- A more serious problem with plastic is the additives contained in them. Additives such as colorants, stabilisers and plasticisers which may contain toxic components such as cadmium and lead;
- Conservation of non-renewable fuels and energy;
- The energy savings are sufficient to power a 60W lightbulb for six hours, for each bottle recycled! (Recoup);
- Reduced emissions of CO2 and nitrogen oxide.
Plastic bags
Did you know that between 13 billion and 17 billion plastic bags are issued in the UK a year and, on average, they are used for only 20 minutes?
Key facts:
- Plastic bags do not biodegrade;
- On average we only recycle 1 plastic bag in every 200 we use;
- Scientists estimate each plastic item could last at least 400 years;
- 8% of the worlds oil production is used to make plastic;
- The world produces 2 million tonnes of plastic per year, 96% of which is NOT recycled.
What you can do
- Use a shopping bag made of natural fibres such as cotton or jute or a heavy duty material that will withstand reuse;
- Consider if you really need a bag for single items;
- Make use of plastic bag recycling facilities available at many supermarkets.
Man bags
A British Heart Foundation survey found almost half of men said they do not consider recycling to be an important part of their daily routine. Mention the use of reusable bags rather than carrier bags and the vast majority will chose the disposable option.
Plastic bottles
Your District or Borough Council may collect plastic bottles at the kerbside.
You can recycle your plastic bottles at all of the County's Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Please remember to wash and squash your plastic bottles before recycling them.
Printer cartridges
Printer cartridges can be recycled at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre. You can also send your cartridges by freepost to Office Green for recycling.
Used cartridges can be worth as much as £7.00 and inkjet cartridges up to £3.50. Use the Office Green website to find out how much your cartridge is worth. All money raised will go to Guide Dogs for the Blind.
Epson printer cartridges cannot be recycled.
Every year tens of million of inkjet and toner cartridges are thrown away. Recycling cartridges not only reduces waste, but also reduces the need for raw materials; each laser cartridge that is recycled conserves the equivalent of approximately one litre of oil.
Q
R
Radios
Wind up radios don't require batteries nor mains electricity and therefore have less impact on the environment.
If you have a radio that you would like to dispose of but still works, please offer it to your local charity shop, the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer it on Community Freebay or Freegle
Radios are covered by the WEEE Directive (see electrical items). Recycle at your household Waste Recycling Centre.
Rubble and soil
Hardcore, rubble and soil is not classed as household waste, therefore recycling centres reserve the right to refuse acceptance of this material. However, householders may deposit the equivalent of up to 3 x 25 kg bags (75 kg total combined weight) per month of hardcore, rubble and soil to Household waste recycling centres.
Residents should be using bulk bag services offered from local DIY stores or skip hire for more substantial works. Information may be found in the Yellow Pages or in the Netregs waste directory.
S
Sewing machines
If the sewing machine is still in working order take it to your nearest charity shop or offer it on Community Freebay or Freegle
If it is not in working order, take it to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Shoes
If you don't want to keep a pair of shoes you can take them to your nearest charity shop, or recycle your shoes at your nearest Shoe Bank, available at some supermarkets and Household Waste Recycling Centre. Please ensure that shoes are secured together in their pair.
Spectacles
Vision Aid Overseas help people in developing countries by providing them with spectacles. This enables them to take an active part in everyday life in their community. Send you unwanted spectacles to:
Vision Aid Overseas
12 The Bell Centre
Newton Road
Manor Royale
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 9FZ
Telephone
01293 535 016
Stamps
Oxfam and the RNIB can find a home for collectors items including stamps. Once you have collected a bag full pop them into your local Oxfam shop or alternatively, for the RNIB send them to:
RNIB
Stamp Recycling
PO Box 185
Benfleet
SS7 9BH
telephone
0845 3450054.
Steel
Please wash out your steel cans and crush to prevent smells and protect wildlife.
Recycle steel cans at the kerbside, most supermarkets and your local Household Waste Recycling Centre.
Offer your steel household items on Community Freebay or Freegle
T
Telephone (landline)
Disposal of landline telephones will depend on whether or not it is rented or owned by you.
Rental telephone
If you have a rental telephone that you would like to dispose of call 100 when the rental has ceased. You will receive a padded envelope in the post for you to send it back in. The telephone will be sent to the contractor who rented out the telephone and will be assessed for re-use and recycling.
Privately owned telephone
If you own the telephone and it no longer works, please take it along to your local Household Waste Recycling Centres and place it with the 'Electrical Equipment' items. If your telephone still works take it along to your local charity shop.
Telephone directories
Telephone directories are collected at the kerbside and can be put in paper recycling banks. Please do not put Yellow Pages in the paper recycling banks unless otherwise stated on the side of the bank.
Tetra pack/drink cartons
Warwickshire County Council working with the carton industry have introduced carton collection facilities at all nine of the Household Waste Recycling Centres in the County for residents to take their empty cartons to be recycled.
Please wash and squash your cartons before placing into the container.
Once collected the cartons are taken away to be baled and transported to a recycling mill. Cartons can be recycled into a number of different products, ranging from plasterboard liner to high-strength paper bags and envelopes. For further information see Tetrapak recycling
Thermometers
All potentially hazardous or chemical waste must be disposed of correctly in order to prevent harm to the environment.
Please visit the Hazardous and chemical household waste webpage for advise on disposal.
Tights
If you have old and unwanted tights you can donate them to Ethiopia Tights Appeal where they'll be used for women in the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital. Even if your tights are laddered and have holes they will still be useful.
Send your clean tights to the following address:
Ethopia Tights Appeal
Tightsplease
2nd Floor Albion Court
18 - 20 Frederick Street
Hockley
Birmingham
B1 3HE
For more information go to www.tightsplease.co.uk
Toner cartridges
Recycling cartridges not only reduces waste, but also reduces the need for raw materials; each laser cartridge that is recycled conserves the equivalent of approximately one litre of oil.
Recycle your cartridges at your local Household Waste Recycling Centres. Or send them to:
Warwickshire Recycling Scheme
The Recycling Centre
FREEPOST NAT5224
Peterborough
PE2 6BR
Toys
If your old toys are in good condition take them to your nearest charity shop, the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer your items on Community Freebay or Freegle
Please do not put plastic toys in with the plastic recycling at Household Waste Recycling Centres.
Tyres
In 2003 the EU Landfill Directive banned whole used tyres being sent to landfill, this ban extended to shredded used tyres in 2006. If you need new tyres on your car, the garage where you have them fitted will normally dispose of your old tyres for you.
If you change your tyres at home, a recognised tyre company (ATS, National Tyre Service, Kwik Fit etc) should be able to dispose of your tyres for a small charge. You can usually find their contact details in the Yellow Pages
Tyres are not classified as household waste and are not accepted free of charge at your local household waste recycling centre (HWRC). The only HWRC in Warwickshire that can accept tyres for disposal is Princes Drive, however a charge will be made for this service. The disposal charge per tyre is currently around £6.00.
Please note any prices are subject to change, please contact Princes Drive on 01926 430775 to confirm.
U
Umbrellas
Umbrellas are always useful particularly with the British weather. If you have an old umbrella that you don't want, take it to your nearest charity shop and give someone else the opportunity to keep dry.
Offer your umbrella on Community Freebay or Freegle
V
Vacuum cleaners
Ask your retailer if they offer a take back service for your old appliance.
Alternatively vacuum cleaners should be taken to your nearest Household Waste Recycling Centres and placed with other electrical goods.
If your Vacuum is in working order take it along to the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer your items on Community Freebay or Freegle
The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) came into force in this country on the 1st July 2007. The Directive aims to minimise the impact of electrical and electronic goods on the environment by increasing re-use and recycling, and reducing the amount of WEEE going to landfill.
Video tapes
Offer your videos to your local charity shop, the Reuse Shop at your local Household Waste Recycling Centre or offer it on Community Freebay or Freegle
Why not rent videos instead of buying them - saving you money and space. Videos are also available to rent from your local library
W
Water butts
Water butts are available from Severn Trent Water. Call Severn Trent Waters 24 hour credit card hotline 0870 8494851 and quote SEV15E.
Wood
Take untreated wood to your local Household Waste Recycling Centre and place in the section for wood.
Offer your wood on Community Freebay or Freegle
Woodchipping service
The home woodchipping service provided by Warwickshire County Council is a subsidised service to residents of Warwickshire.
Wool
Take your unwanted wool to your local charity shop or offer it to friends and family. The Cats Protection League have volunteers who use the wood to knit blankets to keep fostered cats warm and the blankets then get re-homed with the cat. Please call their helpline on 01926 334849 or e-mail enquiries@midwarkscats.org.uk
Offer your wool on Community Freebay or Freegle
X
Xylophone
If you have a musical instrument which still works you can donate it to local theatrical groups and music groups or advertise it on community freebay.
Y
Yellow pages
Yellow Pages can be placed in your kerbside recycling scheme or taken to recycling facilities in your area or recycled at the Household Waste Recycling Centres.
North Warwickshire
If you live in North Warwickshire you can place your old Yellow Pages in your red kerbside collection box. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact North Warwickshire Borough Council on 01827 719404.
Nuneaton and Bedworth
Residents in Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough can recycle their Yellow Pages in the blue bag kerbside collection and at paper recycling banks around the borough. For more information on this service please contact Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council on 024 7637 6170.
Rugby
If you live in Rugby Borough, you can place your old Yellow Pages in any of the paper banks around the borough or in your blue lid recycling bin. For more information please contact Rugby Borough Council on 01788 533328.
Stratford-upon-Avon
If you live in Stratford on Avon District you can place your old Yellow Pages in any of the paper banks around the district and can be put in your blue lidded bin. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact Stratford District Council on 01789 267 575.
Warwick
If you live in Warwick District you can place your old Yellow Pages in the red box to be collected all year round. For more information on your kerbside collection scheme contact Warwick District Council on 01926 412464.
Z
Zucchini
Zucchinis can be composted with other vegetable waste in your compost bin.
